We obtained to sit down down with BMW M boss, Frank van Meel, on the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Topic issues ranged far, however stayed decidedly removed from a few of the heavier headlines of the weekend. For instance, the M2 CS shock go to or the Speedtop Idea debut. We lined some acquainted favorites, although, together with the brand new (and previous) M5, hybridization and electrification, and hypercars (type of).
M5 Demand is Holding Robust
The i4 M50 is the best-selling M automobile automotive by quantity. And the M2 is the best-selling full M. However the M5 is placing up spectacular numbers, in response to van Meel. He says there’s a “very, very excessive demand for the brand new M5,” and that the mannequin is “skyrocketing in manufacturing, numbers and gross sales. It’s [demand] not taking place.” What is perhaps extra stunning is that Europe’s orders are predominantly for the sedan model. Within the US, the Touring is fascinating extra clients. Frank says that worldwide, it’s “roughly 50/50.”
On a associated word, Frank additionally fielded some questions across the M5’s weight, unsurprisingly. Whereas acknowledging the automotive’s weight, he mentions that “it’s faster than its predecessor on the tracks.” He attests that weight was the “solely commerce off” BMW needed to make for making the M5 “easy to drive,” citing improved gasoline financial system, extra energy, decrease emissions, and a easy powerband.
And Frank says BMW M handled the M5’s weight downside as they might in racing. Wider wheels, a wider observe with wider bodywork, lively rear steering, and positioning the batteries low on the automobile assist make the automotive nonetheless behave like an M5. “We all know we’re going to place weight within the automotive,” he mentioned, but it surely was calculated. It was the price of doing enterprise to ensure that BMW M to make use of the V8 engine.
Making The Case For Hybrid and Electrical M Automobiles
Frank isn’t tied to sure drivetrains in his M automobiles. “M — since 1972, after we have been based as M, or Motorsport GmbH — has at all times been motorsport and emotion. And each time you sit in an M, and also you drive an M, you say, that is an M…it’s all about emotion and motorsport. And that is kind of impartial from the drivetrain.” He’s proper, too. He discusses the engine rotations the M3 has seen by way of the years — from revy four-cylinder to screaming six- and eight-pots to the turbocharged S55 and S58 of newer reminiscence. And each time, with out fail, “it drove like an M3 and everybody was completely satisfied, and we bought greater than earlier than.” Proper once more, Frank.
Lengthy story quick: he feels the identical approach about electrification and hybridization. “What we’re at present doing with electrification, as soon as that involves the market, you’ll say ‘I didn’t see that coming’.” He compares it to the F90 M5’s debut, the place some heard “all-wheel drive” and ran scared. “I mentioned the identical with the M xDrive after we got here to the final technology M5, that it’s not four-wheel drive. It’s rear-wheel drive with extra traction, and everybody was afraid that it will simply go straight ahead, no rear wheel bias dynamics anymore.” In fact, now, we all know that van Meel was largely correct when he mentioned that. “Now with electrification, I can solely say it’s going to be a typical M it’s simply going to be a lot faster,” he says.
Differentiating BMW M EVs From Different Automobiles
One massive problem all automakers face is separating their efficiency EV choices from the competitors. Within the nuclear arms race that’s electrified powertrains, 1,000 horsepower merely isn’t sufficient. “Magical components is a pleasant terminology,” van Meel begins. “You could have this innovation, as a result of individuals know what electrical automobiles drive these days, and for those who have a look at that, you say, that’s good, however that’s possibly not, nonetheless not precisely what I’m in search of.” With fewer perceptible cues, like audible downshifting, EVs make it robust to know the way fast you’re going — particularly on a race observe. “However for those who look down, [at the speedometer], you lose,” Frank says. “You want a greater integration of the driving force into the automotive in order that you recognize the place you’re and you’re in management.”
A central part to creating BMW M EVs drive the best way an M automotive ought to is engineering. Frank says the concept BMW M is making an M model of the upcoming Neue Klasse isn’t fairly appropriate. “That’s improper, as a result of all the pieces we’d like for M within the Neue Klasse needed to be built-in in the entire setup of the Neue Klasse proper from the beginning.” Frank claims “if it’s not within the structure, it’s typically unimaginable so as to add it.” That’s the place BMW’s Coronary heart of Pleasure is available in. It’s relevant for each automobile, whether or not it’s obtained a single electrical motor or 4.
BMW Hypercar? Eh…
The hypercar (nonetheless) isn’t occurring, not less than not any time quickly. The query cited BMW’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) involvement because the doable case for a roadgoing hypercar. “Not essentially,” van Meel begins. “What you at all times attempt to do at M is to make automobiles which are which are as shut as doable to racing. That’s why we’re in racing,” he says. Speak about a non-answer, but it surely doesn’t actually seem like van Meel is entertaining the concept.
