BMW M Has A New Engineering Boss: Alexander Karajlovic

It’s protected to say this can be a pivotal week for the BMW Group’s company world. Milan Nedeljković will exchange Oliver Zipse as Chairman and CEO in Might 2026, and extra management modifications are underway. Alexander Karajlovic has been appointed Head of Growth at BMW M, succeeding Dirk Häcker.

Karajlovic isn’t any stranger to the “world’s strongest letter.” He beforehand served as challenge supervisor for the XM earlier than transferring as much as Vice President for the M lineup from early 2021 to mid-2023. After a interval in BMW’s broader improvement crew, he’s now again at M.

Enterprise has been booming for BMW M. The sub-brand posted its thirteenth consecutive yr of progress in 2024 with 206,582 automobiles shipped. Prospects for 2025 are even stronger, as deliveries by way of September had been up 7.9% in comparison with the primary 9 months of 2024, reaching 158,182 items. It’s price noting that each figures embody M Efficiency fashions.

As for Dirk Häcker, he’s heading right into a well-deserved retirement. The veteran engineer has spent 37 years with the BMW Group, together with 11 years inside the M division. He has led improvement at M since 2015, serving to form the efficiency lineup throughout principally all segments. Beneath his watch, the M5 Touring returned and sits alongside the first-ever M3 Touring.

Much more attention-grabbing instances lie forward for BMW M. The division has been quietly creating its first electrical mannequin, with the M3 “ZA0” anticipated to debut in 2027 because the high-performance counterpart to subsequent yr’s i3 “NA0.” This electrical sports activities sedan will pave the best way for extra EVs from M, together with an X3 M.

Traditionalists needn’t fear, because the inline-six and V8 engines are sticking round for the long run. Each the S58 and S68 are set to obtain updates to satisfy Euro 7 requirements, safeguarding their future. The following-generation M3 “G84” has already been confirmed to retain its six cylinders, so all is effectively. Moreover, the upcoming 3 Collection M Efficiency mannequin (M350) will proceed with the “B58.”

BMW M may also preserve no less than one plug-in hybrid, with a facelifted M760e arriving subsequent yr. Now, how about that long-awaited supercar? Purists would argue they deserve a follow-up to the legendary M1 earlier than the M division calls time on combustion engines.