BMW fanatics would argue that the easiest way to crown the M lineup could be with a supercar. The XM could have been marketed as a non secular successor to the M1, however the electrified luxobarge is definitely no “E26” reboot. A devoted efficiency car positioned on the prime of the M hierarchy has at all times sparked curiosity throughout the M group, but it has by no means occurred once more.
Nevertheless, executives in Munich would possibly really feel inspired to provide their stamp of approval. The 3.0 CSL was a convincing success, regardless of an unconfirmed €750,000 price ticket. Constructed to have fun 50 years of M, the particular automotive was basically an M4 CSL with a coach-built physique impressed by the “E9” Batmobile. It had barely extra energy and a guide gearbox, all for greater than 4 instances the value of the donor automotive. As a refresher, the M4 CSL price €165,200 in Germany.
Then got here the Skytop, an M8 remodeled right into a two-seater convertible with a detachable targa roof. BMW by no means launched official pricing particulars for that automotive both, however we’ve reported an eye-watering €500,000 sticker. Earlier than it was retired, the M8 Convertible price €193,400 in Germany, making the mechanically associated Skytop roughly two and a half instances costlier.
BMW revisited the M8 earlier this 12 months with the Speedtop, a stunning capturing brake believed to price round half one million euros as properly. As soon as once more, the two-door wagon was far costlier than the donor automotive, the €185,400 M8 Coupe. What do all these vehicles have in frequent? All had been snapped up by deep-pocketed clients.
Rolls-Royce Cash For BMWs
BMW discovered 50 patrons for the three.0 CSL, one other 50 for the Skytop, and 70 for the Speedtop. These vehicles offered out comparatively quickly after their official premieres, revealing a robust urge for food for low-volume, high-price fashions. In hindsight, BMW in all probability needs it had additionally green-lighted the Z4 M40i-based Idea Touring Coupe.
Having succeeded in charging Rolls-Royce cash for BMWs, a supercar doesn’t appear so outlandish anymore, does it? Nicely, sure and no. Such a challenge could be far costlier to develop because of the want for quite a few bespoke components. The underpinnings for the sold-out vehicles talked about above had been already accessible from common fashions. Having a strong basis enabled economies of scale, as solely the physique and meeting course of modified.
Neue Klasse Takes Priority
We additionally want to take a look at the larger image. Within the first half of the last decade, BMW made the biggest single funding within the firm’s historical past. All the pieces associated to Neue Klasse price the Bavarians over €10 billion, in line with outgoing CEO Oliver Zipse. With 40 fashions arriving by late 2027, now isn’t the precise time to speculate extra time and assets in a supercar.
These spy photographs of a mysterious coupe with Neue Klasse styling fueled rumors of a supercar. Nevertheless, we’ve got it on good authority that it’s not occurring. The closest BMW has come just lately to a follow-up to the M1 was round 2020. The M Imaginative and prescient Subsequent idea was meant to change into the “I16,” however the coronavirus pandemic pressured the challenge’s cancellation. BMW selected to prioritize SUVs as an alternative, therefore the controversial XM.
However not all hope is misplaced. Earlier this 12 months, BMW M’s CEO left the door open for a supercar in an unique interview with BMWBLOG. Nevertheless, Frank van Meel made it crystal clear that we shouldn’t realistically count on one anytime quickly:
“We don’t need to lose deal with our high-performance vehicles as a result of we do an excellent sports activities automotive. I should be sincere; we’re at all times dreaming about it. And perhaps some day we discover the precise window of alternative the place we’ve got the capability to work on a automotive like that. And in addition, the corporate, BMW Group, says: ‘Okay, go for it.’ We by no means quit, I can promise you that, however truly, it’s not right here but.”
Hopefully, there’s nonetheless time inside that “window of alternative,” as talked about by the mayor of M City, for a combustion engine. BMW M is caught between a rock and a tough place. Curiosity in electrical supercars, or much more reasonably priced sporty EVs, stays weak, but more and more strict emissions laws are pushing automakers towards EVs.
The M division plans to make its inline-six and V8 engines adjust to Euro 7, so there’s nonetheless time to listen to the roar of a combustion engine. Ideally, it could be mounted behind the motive force. Ought to BMW ever green-light a supercar within the ICE period, the aborted M Imaginative and prescient Subsequent/I16 suggests a hybrid setup. We’ll take what we are able to get in the beginning goes electrical, ought to that day finally arrive later this century.
The Product Offensive Gained’t Embody A Supercar
Within the meantime, BMW has larger fish to fry. Neue Klasse is bringing sweeping modifications throughout the lineup. Except for renewing its present portfolio, the German luxurious model can be including new fashions. Subsequent 12 months’s i3 and iX5 will likely be adopted by an iX7 in 2027 and an iX6 in 2028. We’ve additionally heard there will likely be an i3 Touring, together with entry-level EVs just like the i1 and i2. A rugged, giant SUV with hybrid and electrical energy can be allegedly set to reach earlier than 2030 to compete with the Mercedes G-Class.
Going ahead, BMW M will supply gasoline, plug-in hybrid, and electrical fashions. Whereas a devoted supercar will likely be notably absent, we’re not giving up hope. As soon as the Neue Klasse lineup is absolutely fleshed out, maybe then we are able to count on a non secular successor to the M1. Logic suggests it gained’t occur this decade, however we’d gladly welcome being confirmed mistaken.
Supercar or not, a limited-run M automotive appears to be a matter of when, not if. Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Buyer, Model, and Gross sales at M, hinted as a lot in a chat with BMWBLOG again in June:
“We’re discussing issues, however we have to discover the precise time to do it. Be assured, we share the identical dream and fervour. Now we have been speaking with Adrian van Hooydonk [Head of BMW Group Design] and the crew who does the small sequence planning, and there’s a slot reserved for BMW M.”
For now, we simply need to be affected person and anticipate BMW M greatness. In the meantime, the M division is about to finish its 14th consecutive 12 months of development, so enterprise is booming even with out a halo mannequin.
