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Originally Posted by SCOTT26
I am in Beijing for the Next 100 Global Tour which is kind of fascinating from a different perspective as it is all about looking forward not looking at the past.
The BMW Vision Next 100 is showcased publicly and will be joined by new concepts from MINI & Rolls-Royce in London.
As far as I am aware there is nothing decided yet on the 6er as the numbers speak for itself. The Cabrio and Gran Coupe post respectable global numbers and globally speaking the Gran Coupe is the best selling 6er model. And there is a replacement already in development on the cards.
I would hope the Z5 Coupe is not cancelled. I would certainly hate it to be. Because I think the Coupe will justify the Roadster. The Roadster has a CFRP core starting from the A structure. Combine with a coupe and you have an intriguing recipe for more chassis and structural rigidity providing some exceptional driving dynamics. They need the coupe and they know it.
Also under discussion is a third Rolls-Royce model positioned between the next Ghost and Phantom.
It will be a four door but will be a more sporting car with a more dynamic roofline, think a Rolls-Royce Gran Coupe but with high exclusivity. There is an idea to expand the Black Badge series into a full fledged concept of exclusive personal luxury but with a more sporting edge. Therefore it could be a sister vehicle of sorts to the 9er. And provide further profitability for both models.
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From a product perspective, it's similar in ways to 1956...without the financial burden. Forward thinking to broaden market share and define the brands for the new and future generations. To do that without alienating the current buying powers and providing a bit of "tradition" is a challenge...though not an impossible one.
The 6er has a niche, but in my opinion it is too broad and over-bounding with the F06/12/13. The GC certainly is successful and a cash-cow, but has the program sacrificed a bit too much at the top and bottom? It ate away 7er sales (in the US at least), and also had a hard time competing with the CLS and A/S7 on price.
The Z5 Coupé program should continue to progress to market. The partnership has been a bit difficult, but there is clarity (at least internally) on what the other-half intends to do with it. A hardtop Z5 would be an inevitable and financially sound route as long as it isn't strangled internally trying to hold its place.
I really hope no one mucks up Rolls Royce. The motorcar company was as good as dead in the mid-90's and had things not worked out in the manner by which they did, VW Management, Design, and Engineering didn't have the vision or abilities to re-imagine Rolls Royce properly. I've seen archived plans and designs...doesn't even come close to what BMW managed to do. The split from Bentley was proper, true to their respective roots, and made one of the most important automotive marques not only relevant again, but re-birthed it for the future and brought success and a bit of jealousy. It was nothing short of a miracle, especially in the short time span available.
Black Badge is something the brand desperately needed. To my knowledge, I have the only Ghost Series II V-Specification EWB in North America. Most "car-nuts" probably have never heard of V-Specification or even knew a "meaner, more athletic" Rolls even existed. Most of my friends go Bentley, Ferrari, or AMG Mercedes. As soon as they saw the promotional video, Black Badge is all they are talking about when it comes to cars they want.
There is room for a Shadow in the model line, but I don't agree that it has to be "between the Ghost and Phantom". Both the Ghost, Phantom, and (soon) Cullinan Families all need a sub-variant or two in order to fill a few untapped segments. Although I know Dr. Gleiber well, I wonder if there aren't some more effective options for Whisper.