BMW won't be short on M Performance models in the near
future after a new report from Autocar published on Thursday revealed plans for 26
new or refreshed cars by 2020. The long list of new M Performance cars, which
will expand outside thoroughbred M vehicles, will help BMW retaliate against a
slew of Mercedes-AMG and Audi Sport products.
The report said the next-generation M3 will lead the charge
with a 2019 debut, potentially at the Frankfurt motor show. The plan's
architect, Frank van Meel, head of BMW’s performance car division,
called the M3 a cornerstone for the M division and cast the car as a guiding
light forward for M Performance cars.
"(The M3) continues to stand for everything the brand is
based upon," he said. BMW poached the executive from Audi in 2014, where
he ran Audi Sport, formerly Quattro.
BMW's next M3 will reportedly not go hybrid as previous reports
have suggested. Instead, an upgraded version of BMW M’s 3.0-liter
twin-turbo inline-6 engine will power the car. Better news: a 6-speed manual is
on the table, as is an 8-speed automatic transmission. Power may rise to 472
horsepower with the upgrades, and the M3 will not offer BMW's latest xDrive
all-wheel-drive system, per the report's sources.
With the M3 holding down the fort, 15 M Performance cars
will continue development, including versions of the X2 and forthcoming X7.
Current M Performance models include the M240i, M550i xDrive, M760i, and X4
M40i xDrive. These models aren't as sporting as true M cars, but they do have
additional power, sporty suspensions, and upgraded brakes.
These models should not be confused with BMW's M Sport
models, which have M design cues but no extra power. For instance, the M Sport
components on a 330i include an M sport suspension, unique 18-inch wheels,
Shadowline exterior trim, an aero kit, a sunroof, satellite radio, an M
steering wheel, keyless access and starting, and lumbar support adjustments.
That'll improve performance, but only a bit.
Have no fear, though, because BMW has 11 new true M cars
cooking as well. Among them are the X3, X4, Z4, and new 8-Series. That brings
our grand total of M cars to the aforementioned total of 26.
While M Performance handles more mid-range cars, M will also
take its talents to the top with more track-focused models. It began with
the M4 CS,
but an M3 CS will soon join the
range. Next year, the report's sources added an M2 CS will
arrive as well.
source: https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1114211_bmw-plans-barrage-of-m-performance-models-by-2020
by Sean Szymkowski
http://www.boscheuropean.com
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