Latest 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, permit us to set the file straight: whereas BMW M has massive plans forward, a supercar isn’t one in every of them — no less than not but.
Right here’s what Neubauer really stated: “[BMW’s] technique is to have a collection of small-series additions that we provide to the markets. There can 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 constructive spillover impact on the model and on the product portfolio. You’re making a sure buyer group very, very proud of these dream automobiles. Even those who can’t afford the automobile, they admire the model. This can be a part of our future street map as nicely.”
When requested in regards to the concept of a dream automobile, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a couple of dream automobile? You possibly can belief us, we’re engaged on it internally to make that occur at some point. Are we dreaming of dream automobiles, and is BMW M a really entrepreneurial firm the place you possibly can actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s watch for the precise time.”
Some publications, nevertheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “affirm” {that a} BMW M supercar is imminent. However based on our sources — and within the spirit of readability, particularly when BMW itself can’t publicly right each rumor — the fact is completely different.
The Hypercar That Virtually Occurred (However Didn’t)
First, there isn’t a BMW supercar at the moment in improvement, neither from BMW AG nor from the M division. It’s true that, previously, BMW explored the thought of a hypercar producing round 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 challenge everybody wrote about. We have been informed the hypercar challenge was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nevertheless, with market situations shifting — significantly within the EV hypercar section the place autos priced above a million euros aren’t straightforward to promote — the board in the end determined to drag the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there isn’t a lively supercar challenge underway both, no less than based mostly on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automobile definitely exists among the many engineers and management, however not one of the enterprise instances proposed thus far have made sufficient sense to greenlight a challenge.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Assume Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer probably hinted at is the inner want for a dream automobile inside BMW M, a ardour that has surfaced repeatedly over time. 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 autos 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 count on the following steps to contain smaller, extremely unique editions of their hottest efficiency automobiles, such because the M2, M3, or M4. However from that to declaring {that a} full-blown BMW M supercar is occurring? That’s a significant leap — and never one supported by present info.
As all the time, 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]
