Current 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. Nonetheless, permit us to set the file straight: whereas BMW M has massive plans forward, a supercar shouldn’t be one among them — at the very 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 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 optimistic 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 those who can not afford the automobile, they admire the model. This shall be a part of our future street map as properly.”
When requested in regards to the thought of a dream automobile, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a few dream automobile? You possibly can 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 may actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s anticipate the proper time.”
Some publications, nevertheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “affirm” {that a} BMW M supercar is imminent. However in line with our sources — and within the spirit of readability, particularly when BMW itself can’t publicly appropriate each rumor — the truth is totally different.
The Hypercar That Nearly 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, prior to now, BMW explored the concept of a hypercar producing around 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 undertaking everybody wrote about. We had been informed the hypercar undertaking was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nonetheless, with market situations shifting — significantly within the EV hypercar section the place autos priced above a million euros will not be straightforward to promote — the board in the end determined to drag the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there isn’t a lively supercar undertaking underway both, at the very least 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 circumstances proposed to this point have made sufficient sense to greenlight a undertaking.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Assume Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer probably hinted at is the interior need 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 dimension 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 watch 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]
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