Photo: bmw
The new head of the M division, Mr. Frank van Meel, has been on something of a road trip lately, discussing with various publications about the plans his division has for the future. While it may seem like a coincidence, we think this whole effort has been set up by the higher ups to test the market.
This is how we learned that the future M5 will have around 600 HP, all-wheel drive and drop the manual gearbox. We also learned that the demand for an M3 Touring is so low that the Motorsport division simply can’t consider putting one into production.
In his most recent talk with the Dutch magazine Autovisie, van Meel also talked about the possibility of bringing out an M7, a possibility he quickly dismissed though. Contrary to various rumors coming out, it’s the same story as in the case of the M3 Touring: there’s not enough demand out there and it wouldn’t make sense from a dynamic point of view.
However, he also provided some insight about another product the division he’s running takes care of, the M Performance range. According to him, BMW is looking to bring out even more such models, since the initial ones proved to be a success.
For example, the M235i model accounts for a third of the total sales of the 2 Series Coupe range and that says a lot. BMW wants to repeat the story and is looking at the gaps that are currently noticeable throughout its line-up. One of the biggest is between the 340i and the M3 model.
Along with the facelift of the F30 3 Series we will be treated with the new 340i model that will be using a fresh 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine making 326 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. These numbers represent an increase compared to the former top of the line model but they are still far behind the M3, leaving plenty of room for an M Performance car.
As we reported a while back, there will be an M340i car coming out in the future that will fill that gap. It will be making around 360 HP but it may not be marketed as an M Performance model per say. That’s because it will be achievable via the M Performance Power Kit that is currently under development.
Either way, this is good news for those looking for a bit more performance without going into M territory.
In his most recent talk with the Dutch magazine Autovisie, van Meel also talked about the possibility of bringing out an M7, a possibility he quickly dismissed though. Contrary to various rumors coming out, it’s the same story as in the case of the M3 Touring: there’s not enough demand out there and it wouldn’t make sense from a dynamic point of view.
However, he also provided some insight about another product the division he’s running takes care of, the M Performance range. According to him, BMW is looking to bring out even more such models, since the initial ones proved to be a success.
For example, the M235i model accounts for a third of the total sales of the 2 Series Coupe range and that says a lot. BMW wants to repeat the story and is looking at the gaps that are currently noticeable throughout its line-up. One of the biggest is between the 340i and the M3 model.
Along with the facelift of the F30 3 Series we will be treated with the new 340i model that will be using a fresh 3-liter inline 6-cylinder engine making 326 HP and 450 Nm (332 lb-ft) of torque. These numbers represent an increase compared to the former top of the line model but they are still far behind the M3, leaving plenty of room for an M Performance car.
As we reported a while back, there will be an M340i car coming out in the future that will fill that gap. It will be making around 360 HP but it may not be marketed as an M Performance model per say. That’s because it will be achievable via the M Performance Power Kit that is currently under development.
Either way, this is good news for those looking for a bit more performance without going into M territory.
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