BMW to launch a new rear-wheel drive platform called “35up”?

There have been rumors on BMW’s plans to launch a new rear-wheel drive platform by 2016 called the “35up”. This new platform will debut alongside the next generation 7 Series.

AutomotiveNews now reports that the platform will also be used for the 3, 5 and 6 Series, both rear-wheel drive and xDrive vehicles. It mixes high-strength steel, aluminum and carbon fiber where significant weight savings can be achieved.

For example, the 2017 BMW X3 is said to be 200 lbs lighter than the current generation. From 2016 through 2018, BMW will renew many of its models, so most of the fleet will be based off the new “35up” platform. The smaller vehicles will be based on the front-wheel-drive UKL platform that is now used by the 2 Series Active Tourer and shared with MINI.

The new BMW 7 Series will debut at the 2015 Frankfurt auto show and go on sale in the United States in late 2015 or early 2016.