Latest headlines (like this and this) have stirred pleasure amongst fans, 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 clients, model, and gross sales, who shared some perception into the division’s future plans. Nevertheless, permit us to set the document straight: whereas BMW M has huge plans forward, a supercar shouldn’t be certainly one of them — not 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 shall be one thing coming at Villa d’Este this yr, 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 pleased with these dream automobiles. Even people who can’t afford the automobile, they admire the model. This shall be a part of our future highway map as properly.”
When requested in regards to the concept of a dream automobile, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a couple of dream automobile? You may belief us, we’re engaged on it internally to make that occur someday. Are we dreaming of dream automobiles, and is BMW M a really entrepreneurial firm the place you’ll be able to actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s watch for the proper time.”
Some publications, nevertheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “affirm” {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 appropriate each rumor — the truth is completely different.
The Hypercar That Nearly Occurred (However Didn’t)
First, there isn’t a BMW supercar at the moment in growth, neither from BMW AG nor from the M division. It’s true that, up to now, BMW explored the thought of a hypercar producing round 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 mission everybody wrote about. We had been advised the hypercar mission was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nevertheless, with market circumstances shifting — significantly within the EV hypercar section the place automobiles priced above a million euros usually are not straightforward to promote — the board in the end determined to tug the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there isn’t a lively supercar mission underway both, not less than based mostly on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automobile actually exists among the many engineers and management, however not one of the enterprise circumstances proposed up to now have made sufficient sense to greenlight a mission.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Suppose Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer most certainly hinted at is the inner want for a dream automobile 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 may create unique variants utilizing acquainted underpinnings.
If something, we anticipate 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 serious 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]
