Current headlines (like this and this) have stirred pleasure amongst lovers, suggesting {that a} BMW M supercar is formally within the works. The spark for this hypothesis got here after an interview with Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President for BMW M prospects, model, and gross sales, who shared some perception into the division’s future plans. Nevertheless, enable us to set the report straight: whereas BMW M has massive plans forward, a supercar shouldn’t be considered one of them — at the least not but.
Right here’s what Neubauer truly stated: “[BMW’s] technique is to have a sequence of small-series additions that we provide to the markets. There will probably be one thing coming at Villa d’Este this 12 months, and doubtless some future small-series editions with the ‘M’ designation.” She continued, emphasizing that, “Halo fashions have that optimistic spillover impact on the model and on the product portfolio. You’re making a sure buyer group very, very proud of these dream vehicles. Even people who can not afford the automotive, they admire the model. This will probably be a part of our future highway map as properly.”
When requested concerning the thought of a dream automotive, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a few dream automotive? You’ll be able to belief us, we’re engaged on it internally to make that occur sooner or later. Are we dreaming of dream vehicles, and is BMW M a really entrepreneurial firm the place you possibly can actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s look forward to the correct time.”
Some publications, nonetheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “verify” {that a} BMW M supercar is imminent. However in keeping with our sources — and within the spirit of readability, particularly when BMW itself can’t publicly right each rumor — the fact is totally different.
The Hypercar That Virtually Occurred (However Didn’t)
First, there isn’t a BMW supercar presently in growth, neither from BMW AG nor from the M division. It’s true that, up to now, BMW explored the concept of a hypercar producing round 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 undertaking everybody wrote about. We have been informed the hypercar undertaking was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nevertheless, with market situations shifting — significantly within the EV hypercar section the place automobiles priced above a million euros should not straightforward to promote — the board finally determined to drag the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there isn’t a energetic supercar undertaking underway both, at the least based mostly on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automotive actually exists among the many engineers and management, however not one of the enterprise instances proposed up to now have made sufficient sense to greenlight a undertaking.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Assume Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer most probably hinted at is the interior need for a dream automotive inside BMW M, a ardour that has surfaced repeatedly through the years. However extra realistically, she was referencing future limited-edition M fashions, like the standard CS and CSL lineup, and/or past. Because of the pliability of the CLAR platform — which helps automobiles ranging in measurement from the M2, to the M3/M4, and even to the M5 and M8 — BMW M might create unique variants utilizing acquainted underpinnings.
If something, we anticipate the following steps to contain smaller, extremely unique editions of their hottest efficiency vehicles, such because the M2, M3, or M4. However from that to declaring {that a} full-blown BMW M supercar is going on? That’s a serious leap — and never one supported by present info.
As at all times, we’ll proceed to observe developments inside BMW M. For now, although, any speak of a brand new BMW M supercar stays simply that — speak. [Top Photo provided by Steve Saxty “BMW by Design” books and BMW]
