Latest headlines (like this and this) have stirred pleasure amongst fanatics, 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 huge plans forward, a supercar will not be one in all them — at the least not but.
Right here’s what Neubauer truly stated: “[BMW’s] technique is to have a collection of small-series additions that we provide to the markets. There will likely be one thing coming at Villa d’Este this yr, 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 pleased with these dream automobiles. Even those who can’t afford the automotive, they admire the model. This will likely be a part of our future street map as nicely.”
When requested in regards to the thought of a dream automotive, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a few dream automotive? You may belief us, we’re engaged on it internally to make that occur at some point. Are we dreaming of dream automobiles, and is BMW M a really entrepreneurial firm the place you’ll be able to actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s await the precise time.”
Some publications, nevertheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “affirm” {that a} BMW M supercar is imminent. However based on our sources — and within the spirit of readability, particularly when BMW itself can’t publicly appropriate each rumor — the truth is completely different.
The Hypercar That Nearly Occurred (However Didn’t)
First, there isn’t a BMW supercar at the moment in growth, neither from BMW AG nor from the M division. It’s true that, previously, BMW explored the concept of a hypercar producing round 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 mission everybody wrote about. We have been advised the hypercar mission 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 are usually not straightforward to promote — the board finally determined to tug the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there isn’t a energetic supercar mission underway both, at the least primarily based on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automotive actually 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 mission.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Assume Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer most probably hinted at is the inner 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. Due to 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 subsequent 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 serious leap — and never one supported by present details.
As all the time, we’ll proceed to watch developments inside BMW M. For now, although, any discuss of a brand new BMW M supercar stays simply that — discuss. [Top Photo provided by Steve Saxty “BMW by Design” books and BMW]
