Latest 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 prospects, model, and gross sales, who shared some perception into the division’s future plans. Nevertheless, enable us to set the file straight: whereas BMW M has massive plans forward, a supercar will not be considered one of them — a minimum of not but.
Right here’s what Neubauer really stated: “[BMW’s] technique is to have a sequence of small-series additions that we provide to the markets. There will probably 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 optimistic 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 will probably be a part of our future highway map as properly.”
When requested in regards to the thought of a dream automotive, Neubauer added: “That query you requested a couple of dream automotive? You possibly can 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’ll be able to actually make issues occur? Sure, let’s anticipate the best time.”
Some publications, nonetheless, jumped the gun and rushed to “verify” {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 right each rumor — the fact is completely different.
The Hypercar That Nearly Occurred (However Didn’t)
First, there is no such thing as a BMW supercar at the moment in improvement, 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 informed the hypercar mission was 99% prepared from a enterprise perspective. Nevertheless, with market situations shifting — notably within the EV hypercar section the place autos priced above a million euros aren’t straightforward to promote — the board finally determined to tug the plug.
Second, inside BMW M itself, there is no such thing as a lively supercar mission underway both, a minimum of based mostly on our dependable sources. Enthusiasm for such a halo automotive definitely exists among the many engineers and management, however not one of the enterprise instances proposed up to now have made sufficient sense to greenlight a mission.
What’s Subsequent for BMW M? Assume Particular Fashions, Not Supercars
What Neubauer probably 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 same old CS and CSL lineup, and/or past. Because of the pliability of the CLAR platform — which helps autos ranging in dimension from the M2, to the M3/M4, and even to the M5 and M8 — BMW M may 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 serious leap — and never one supported by present information.
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]
