Bert Smith BMW knows that there are BMW enthusiasts in the Saint Petersburg area who say that BMW should have stuck to their roots and remained exclusively a Rear Wheel Drive automaker. Changing which tires transfer the BMW engine's power to the road would alter the precisely-tuned handling and tactile feeling that BMW is so well-known for, they said. BMW proved the skeptics wrong with the release of xDrive X5 which featured intelligent all-wheel drive power delivery. The German auto company is ready to take on the critics again with the advent of the internally-named UKL platform, a front-wheel drive architecture.

In keeping with the changing automobile landscape, the German automaker is slated to release 12 new models based on the UKL platform in the foreseeable future. Once again, BMW will be under the microscope to build a car that is entirely new, while preserving its roots as a luxury and performance car manufacturer.

No official word yet on which specific BMW models will acquire the front-wheel drive power, but stay tuned to the Bert Smith BMW website and blog for the latest updates.

Are you a BMW traditionalist? How do you think the front-wheel drive architecture will drive?

Leave us your comments below and let us know. One thing you don't have to worry about: a less confident or powerful driving experience. Like the transition from RWD to xDrive - we fully expect BMW to deliver a thrilling and no-excuses driving experience.

While we await BMW's new additions, please be sure to explore our current new and used BMW inventory online or in person at 3800 34th Street North Saint Petersburg, FL 33714.