The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Could Soon Be Killed Off

A small, front-wheel-drive car isn't usually what you'd associate with BMW. That's more a Honda or Volkswagen thing. But overseas, you can still buy a small, economical BMW. It may even have the front wheels motivated by a small four-cylinder engine. Here in the States, the closest thing we get is the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, but Europe benefits from a BMW hatchback as well.

However, the fate of those smaller Bimmer platforms is now being drawn into question. In some ways, electrification is to blame. Predictably, the architecture of larger electrically-motivated cars like the BMW iX is significantly different. And with hybridization heading the way it is, time for these smaller platforms is running out.

A BMW source told Autocar that the future of BMW's front-wheel-drive architecture is in doubt due to the auto industry's new greener direction.

Internally, that platform is known as UKL. It's already seven years old, and will surely be due for replacement soon. The source said there are "a number of issues to consider."

First and foremost, the size of the UKL platform does make both hybridization and electrification difficult. Some automakers have found somewhat clever approaches to this, like Kia and Hyundai, who place much of their EV's inner workings where the engine would normally live.

Of course, there's also the overall size of the platform. Apparently, it's not only bad for future powertrains but sales as well. Cars based on the platform "sell in very low volumes in the US." Really, that's no surprise to us at all. We Americans like our cars like our Macs- Big. However, the Chinese market for these cars is apparently rather healthy, but only for the sedan body styles.