Current headlines (like this and this) have stirred pleasure amongst lovers, 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 prospects, model, and gross sales, who shared some perception into the division’s future plans. Nonetheless, enable us to set the document straight: whereas BMW M has large plans forward, a supercar just isn’t one in every of them — a minimum of not but.
Right here’s what Neubauer really mentioned: “[BMW’s] technique is to have a sequence of small-series additions that we provide to the markets. There will likely 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 optimistic 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 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 in the future. 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 watch for the fitting time.”
Some publications, nevertheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “verify” {that a} BMW M supercar is imminent. However in accordance with our sources — and within the spirit of readability, particularly when BMW itself can’t publicly appropriate each rumor — the fact is totally different.
The Hypercar That Virtually Occurred (However Didn’t)
First, there is no such thing as a BMW supercar at present in growth, neither from BMW AG nor from the M division. It’s true that, previously, BMW explored the thought of a hypercar producing round 1,300 horsepower, this isn’t the BMW i16 venture everybody wrote about. We have been advised the hypercar venture was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nonetheless, with market situations shifting — notably within the EV hypercar section the place automobiles priced above a million euros should not straightforward to promote — the board finally determined to drag the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there is no such thing as a energetic supercar venture underway both, a minimum of primarily based on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automotive definitely exists among the many engineers and management, however not one of the enterprise circumstances proposed up to now have made sufficient sense to greenlight a venture.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Suppose Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer almost definitely hinted at is the interior want 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 flexibleness of the CLAR platform — which helps automobiles ranging in dimension 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 occurring? That’s a serious leap — and never one supported by present details.
As all the time, we’ll proceed to observe 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]
