Ask BMW followers what automobile the model ought to add subsequent and also you’ll get all types of solutions. Some will say BMW wants an actual Mercedes-Benz G-Wagon or Vary Rover rival. One thing larger, boxier, extra upright, extra imposing — a correct flagship SUV that feels more durable and extra luxurious than the present X lineup. Others will argue BMW doesn’t must go that far, nevertheless it in all probability does want one thing like an X9. A real seven-seater with actual area for adults within the third row and sufficient cargo room behind it so that you’re not compelled to decide on between passengers and baggage.
Then there’s the fanatic reply. Some individuals nonetheless need BMW to construct a supercar once more. Others would fairly see extra devoted M sports activities automobiles that aren’t simply spun off present sequence fashions. One thing extra particular. Extra centered. Extra emotional.
Truthfully, none of these solutions are mistaken. However in case you ask us what BMW actually wants, we’d go in a special course.
BMW ought to construct a 6 Collection Capturing Brake
Sure, actually. And no, not as a result of it might be the neatest enterprise transfer. It in all probability wouldn’t be. If BMW is chasing quantity and revenue, then clearly an X9 makes extra sense. Greater luxurious SUVs are what the market needs, and BMW is aware of that. A big three-row SUV would doubtless promote in far larger numbers than any trendy low-slung wagon ever might.
However not each automobile has to exist as a result of it makes probably the most monetary sense. Some automobiles ought to exist as a result of they make individuals really feel one thing.That’s why the thought of a 6 Collection Capturing Brake makes a lot sense to us. BMW has sufficient sensible automobiles. Sufficient SUVs. Sufficient wise decisions. What it might use a bit extra of is one thing emotional — one thing trendy, just a little sudden, and one thing that immediately reminds you this model used to take extra dangers with its lineup.
The 6 Collection identify is an efficient place to start out. It nonetheless means one thing to BMW followers. It has all the time sat in a candy spot within the vary: extra elegant and particular than a 5 Collection, however not as large or as formal as a 7 Collection. In its finest kind, the 6 Collection was lovely, just a little dramatic, and all the time had the proper of street presence.
That’s precisely why it might work as a taking pictures brake. Not a bloated hatchback. Not one other “GT” experiment. Not some awkward compromise between sedan, coupe, and crossover. A correct taking pictures brake. Lengthy hood, low roofline, broad shoulders, and simply sufficient practicality to make it usable with out ruining the design. One thing that appears beautiful standing nonetheless and even higher transferring down the street.
And sure, earlier than anybody brings it up, BMW simply confirmed the Speedtop. It proves the form works. It proves BMW designers nonetheless know tips on how to make a shocking taking pictures brake. However the Speedtop can be probably not the reply right here. It’s based mostly on the 8 Collection and M8 footprint, it’s costly, it’s unique, and it’ll by no means be an actual lineup automobile. It’s extra of a design flex than a severe product.
What we’re speaking about is one thing a bit extra grounded.
A Downsized Speedtop
Suppose smaller than the Speedtop. Lighter. Extra agile. Extra attainable, not less than by BMW requirements. One thing that feels extra alive on a again street and fewer like a collectible parked in a climate-controlled storage. The present market doesn’t want one other outsized grand tourer. It wants one thing just a little leaner, just a little extra playful, just a little extra related. That’s the place a 6 Collection Capturing Brake might shine.
BMW already realized one lesson the arduous manner with the 6 Collection GT. That automobile wasn’t nice. It by no means had the precise form or the precise picture. It was sensible, certain, nevertheless it didn’t make individuals need it. That’s the important thing distinction. A taking pictures brake would. It will give patrons one thing that feels intentional, not compromised.
And the timing is definitely higher than ever.
Lovers love wagons now. Perhaps greater than ever. Tourings have gone from area of interest oddballs to real dream automobiles for lots of people. BMW itself has seen that enthusiasm firsthand. There’s now an actual viewers for automobiles that supply some practicality with out defaulting to the same old SUV formulation. Not everybody needs one other high-riding household hauler. Some individuals need one thing decrease, sleeker, and cooler.
And let’s be sincere: the model everybody would actually need is clear. An M6 Capturing Brake.
That’s the one. That’s the dream.
One thing with broad hips, severe energy, a correct BMW stance, and simply sufficient cargo room to make it sensible in actual life. A automobile that would do a weekend journey, tear up a mountain street, and nonetheless look particular each single time you walked as much as it. It will be irrational, just a little area of interest, and possibly unattainable to justify in a boardroom presentation. Which is strictly why it might be so nice.
So sure, the logical reply could also be an X9. The worthwhile reply might be some larger, extra luxurious SUV. And certain, a supercar would get individuals speaking too. However from a purely emotional standpoint, from the angle of what would make fans smile and what would add actual character to the lineup, we maintain coming again to the identical concept.
BMW wants some emotional automobiles. What do you suppose BMW must do subsequent?
