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 document straight: whereas BMW M has huge plans forward, a supercar will not be considered one of them — not less than not but.
Right here’s what Neubauer truly mentioned: “[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 12 months, and possibly 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 proud of these dream automobiles. Even those who can not afford the automotive, they admire the model. This shall be a part of our future street map as effectively.”
When requested in regards to the concept of a dream automotive, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a couple of dream automotive? 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 possibly can actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s await the proper time.”
Some publications, nonetheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “affirm” {that a} BMW M supercar is imminent. However in response to 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 any BMW supercar presently in growth, neither from BMW AG nor from the M division. It’s true that, prior to now, BMW explored the concept of a hypercar producing round 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 undertaking everybody wrote about. We have been instructed the hypercar undertaking was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nonetheless, with market circumstances shifting — notably within the EV hypercar section the place autos priced above a million euros usually are not straightforward to promote — the board finally determined to tug the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there isn’t any energetic supercar undertaking underway both, not less than based mostly on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automotive actually exists among the many engineers and management, however not one of the enterprise instances proposed thus far have made sufficient sense to greenlight a undertaking.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Assume Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer almost definitely hinted at is the interior need for a dream automotive 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 measurement from the M2, to the M3/M4, and even to the M5 and M8 — BMW M might create unique variants utilizing acquainted underpinnings.
If something, we count on 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 going on? That’s a significant leap — and never one supported by present details.
As at all times, 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]
