More thoughts from van Meel on BMW i8M, hybrid M, and more

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by N & M

BMW and M by extension are working on something beyond the projects he discussed. The Toyota joint sports car program underpinning the next Z series.

The real purpose of hiring Fedeli which I cannot imagine being confined to the i project. Perhaps they will want to capatialize on Ferrari know-how in engineering lighter 4WD solutions such as in the FF or nicer sounding exhaust notes and performance delivery such as in the new Turbo California.

The messages we have received about the clear distinction that will be engineered into the next gen 6' vis a vis the 5' in weight reduction and chassis.

Something is brewing for the future and I am cautiously optimistic.

The Winning Post.

Fedeli gets the upper model cars to develop above the i8 and the 7er (News coming soon)

[YungDro]

Originally Posted by sdshah

Looks like it's time for me to go to the A EM GEEEEE

good luck.. you wont find any "fun" in them.. most likely will be under repair 24/7

[Krozcrveno]

"It is not possible to make all M cars sporty and dynamic", what he is actualy saying that he dont know how to make all M cars sporty and dynamic. Plz dont turn M cars to RS copy.

[SpokenHands]

I don't think we should panic. The interview is just clunky translation. Scott26's marketing machine some time comes unstuck on its own marketing hyperbole!

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The Winning Post.

Fedeli gets the upper model cars to develop above the i8 and the 7er (News coming soon)

Above the i8 and 7er... How many?

[JS919]

Some of you guys really crack me up! M cars have never been pure no compromise sports cars. They are and have always been high performance versions of sedans, coupes based on sedan chassis and SUVs (except for the M1). Now all of sudden this guy says that not all Ms can be sporty and dynamic and some of you blow a gasket. The reaction of some is freaking hilarious. The current generation M cars are more capable on the road and at the track than ever before. They will only keep getting better, just like they always have.

[iamdabest1]

What drives me crazy is the simple
Fact that there needs to be an xdrive option for the m2,m3,m4.
There's a reason why majority of m cars sold are DCT and not manual even though the soul of an M is manual. I personally love the looks of the M car ,
But do not track my car and want an awd M car ..

[snaimpally]

"It is not possible to make all M cars sporty and dynamic"

Folks on the forum just love to focus on one phrase and whip themselves into a frenzy over it, don't they? Read the rest of his paragraph rather than taking it out of context. He says they don't want to just produce cars suitable for the track at a high price - they want to balance the sporty and the dynamic and the luxury. Isn't luxury also part of the M brand? Also, when I initially read the article, my first thought was that he was referring to the "M" versions of the SUVs, e.g., it is not possible to make M SUVs sporty and dynamic.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The Winning Post.

Fedeli gets the upper model cars to develop above the i8 and the 7er (News coming soon)

Thank you. I do not expect we would get a timeline?

[DCG]

Originally Posted by IS3andME

The better option RWD and optional AWD "rear biased" versions sold together.
Which flavor do you want. Like a Carrera S and Carrera 4S.

I'm totally cool with rear-biased AWD as an option as I bet others are as well. We live in New York with four seasons and some years they can be harsh like last winter with 23 snow storms on Long Island alone. I have no issue with others in warmer climates wanting just RWD or if they have their M's as a second car. We just want M's that can handle getting up an incline in slightly inclement weather with sport tires just like our 328xi M Sport does with ease I might add, not to mention the cornering ability. We do not want to ever have to purchase another expensive set of rims & winter tires, to me that is absurd. Ferrari and Lamborghini has AWD I here no complaints, if anything they kick even more ass!

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by red-sauerkraut

Nothing wrong with a little rear biased xDrive.

I can take a drive in a X3 or a full on X5M and take you wet places faster and more aggressive than any current RWD M car. I can rage in the car beyond belief with stability turned half off or fully off, and the x-car is outstanding and the ass end is very aggressive and you feel the rear pushing and the front adds power and pulls you through the corner and out of the apex. I love m cars. But I absolutely love driving the xDrive cars and especially the X5M/X6M.

completely agree.

[R N M]

Originally Posted by iamdabest1

What drives me crazy is the simple
Fact that there needs to be an xdrive option for the m2,m3,m4.
There's a reason why majority of m cars sold are DCT and not manual even though the soul of an M is manual. I personally love the looks of the M car ,
But do not track my car and want an awd M car ..

What is the reason you want AWD?
It only adds weight and gives you false confidence in snowy weather.

I have had RWD cars all my life and lived in NY with no issues.
I specifically order my BMWs in RWD because they are so much sportier than the regular xdrive versions.

IF M gets xdrive that would be the final nail in its coffin!

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by R N M

What is the reason you want AWD?
It only adds weight and gives you false confidence in snowy weather.

I have had RWD cars all my life and lived in NY with no issues.
I specifically order my BMWs in RWD because they are so much sportier than the regular xdrive versions.

IF M gets xdrive that would be the final nail in its coffin!

Have you ever driven a GTR? I had the pleasure of driving one at the road course at englishtown NJ last summer. that car changed my perception of AWD forever.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by snaimpally

"It is not possible to make all M cars sporty and dynamic"

Folks on the forum just love to focus on one phrase and whip themselves into a frenzy over it, don't they? Read the rest of his paragraph rather than taking it out of context. He says they don't want to just produce cars suitable for the track at a high price - they want to balance the sporty and the dynamic and the luxury. Isn't luxury also part of the M brand? Also, when I initially read the article, my first thought was that he was referring to the "M" versions of the SUVs, e.g., it is not possible to make M SUVs sporty and dynamic.

Exactly luxury is part of the quota for the BMW M brand.
The US made M a Luxury Performance brand. The X5M and X6M are considered "volume" models as we sell a lot of them they even outsell M3 and M5. Why not consider next X3 and X4 as M models because they have the potential for M with a 100KG weight loss on the basic chassis as a starting point.

The current X4 only has a short shelf life of around 4 years as the replacement will be here in 2018. The M Performance model that will launch later this year is the stop gap but it is phenomenal for just an M Performance vehicle.

The X4 is in the same position as the Mercedes GLE. They are both mid-life introductions of older cars so they do not reflect the more recent additions. Both of them in the next generation will reflect the progress of their sister vehicles in their next generation like the new X6 does.

The issue with xDrive on an M is weight especially with ongoing work to make the next generation more lighter than before , adding xDrive defeats that purpose on some levels so that is why it will be optional as an additional model.
The next M5 will brings its weight loss to 180 KG due to Carbon technology being used within the body panels , roof structure , chassis and drivetrain but other lightweight materials such as aluminium, hot pressed steel and magnesium spread throughout the car.

[hotrod182]

Originally Posted by KG3356MT

Have you ever driven a GTR? I had the pleasure of driving one at the road course at englishtown NJ last summer. that car changed my perception of AWD forever.

There are plenty of highly desirable AWD cars. The Porsche 918 and various Lamborghinis, Veyron, come to mind.

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The Winning Post.

Fedeli gets the upper model cars to develop above the i8 and the 7er (News coming soon)

Oh really? That's exciting. Make this news a home page bulletin please when it comes out.

[jaximointhecut]

Hard to be a bmw fan as time passes honestly

[modkrazy]

Originally Posted by absolutebimmer

A M car is a normal car with high power.

Aaand this is why we have BMW doing what they are doing, because people think this is the point of M. High power. Nothing else. Not balance, not poise, not dynamic and engaging driving experience. Just gimme more power and something to cool and massage my asshole, and I want a lot of badges so people can see I'm rich!

[SHLin]

probably AWD again....

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

The Winning Post.

Fedeli gets the upper model cars to develop above the i8 and the 7er (News coming soon)

And what if there is another financial crisis? Same story as with M8 (V12) and CS?

In case of crisis, what happens to the BMW/Toyota sports car? Stop of development like the Honda HSV?

[phoenixbmwlife]

Originally Posted by Levi

And what if there is another financial crisis? Same story as with M8 (V12) and CS?

In case of crisis, what happens to the BMW/Toyota sports car? Stop of development like the Honda HSV?

And what if an asteroid plummets into the earth and makes all living life extinct?

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by Bennu

And what if an asteroid plummets into the earth and makes all living life extinct?

Valid point too, as it can happen and has happened, at least locally. But the probability of financial crisis and its impact is higher, as it already happened two times recently, the M8 and the CS.