BMW UKL platform

The UKL platform (Untere Klasse, "lower class" in German)[1] is a modular automobile platform developed by German car manufacturer BMW. It is a modular architecture to suit a range of front-wheel-drive and all-wheel drive models.

BMW UKL platform
Overview
ManufacturerBMW
Parent companyBMW Group
Production2014–present
Body and chassis
ClassSubcompact car
Compact car
LayoutFront-engine, front-wheel-drive
Front-engine, all-wheel-drive

The objective of the front-wheel-drive UKL platform is to offer smaller models with a large interior space, with enough room for passengers in the rear seats and large cargo space. These objectives are only possible to achieve by mounting transverse three or four-cylinder engines.[2] At the time of release, BMW announced that any model under 4.5 m (177 in) in length and smaller than a 3 Series will make use of the UKL platform.[3] According to Ian Robertson, BMW sales and marketing chief, "One of the big advantages of UKL is that we are able to launch a lot of products almost simultaneously because we are doing the engineering at once."[4]

The platform has two derivatives: the UKL1 and UKL2. The first production vehicle to use the UKL platform is the 2014 Mini Hatch.[5] Another UKL platform derivative is the FAAR platform which was announced in 2017. It is designed with pure ICE, hybrid and electric powertrains in mind.[6]

UKL1 platform

Vehicles using platform (calendar years):

UKL2 platform

The UKL2 platform is the larger version of the UKL platform. It debuted with the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer in 2014. The platform supports wheelbase length of 2,670 mm (105.1 in), and extendable to 2,780 mm (109.4 in) for long-wheelbase models.[2]

Vehicles using platform (calendar years):

See also

References
  1. Kacher, Georg (2017-07-24). "Erste Infos zum neuen 1er" [First info about the new 1-Series]. Auto Bild (in German).
  2. "The platform UKL BMW: the secrets of front-wheel drive of the brand of Munich – small luxury cars". Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  3. Panait, Mircea (2014-08-03). "BMW UKL Platform Could Underpin a Dozen Forthcoming Models". autoevolution. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  4. "BMW UKL platform to underpin up to 12 models - report". Motor1.com. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
  5. Holloway, Hilton (2013-07-21). "How BMW and Mini will sell a million cars per year off one platform". Autocar. Retrieved 2014-05-26.
  6. "Insight: how new BMW platforms can cope with multiple powertrains". Autocar. Retrieved 2021-03-19.
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