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Optional AWD Might Be Available on Next Gen BMW M5 and M6 - Report

The time for an all-wheel-drive BMW M6 has come, earlier than we expected. In a recent interview for Motoring magazine, BMW M GmbH's CEO, Friedrich Nitschke said that, according to current trends, we might see AWD M5 and M6 models in the next generation's line-up.
2014 Competition Package M5 and M6 1 photo
Photo: BMW
That was somehow expected for a while now, especially after Mercedes-Benz's AMG division decided to go 4Matic following Audi that had been selling quattro-fitted high-performance cars for quite a while.

The best news though, is that the all-wheel-drive transmission will be available as an optional feature, allowing die-hard fans of the rear-wheel-drive configuration to still enjoy their M5 and M6 models.

A release date hasn't been confirmed yet but the M division's CEO claimed that it wouldn't be practical to change the assembly lines of the F10 M5 and F06/F12/F13 M6 models at the moment, to include xDrive.

“On our cars we are thinking of all-wheel drive, but it won’t come before we get the successor of the M5 and M6. That’s the timing and it’s not practical to react in the current life cycles. It would also be an additional option, not the only available model, because a lot of M buyers prefer rear-wheel drive,” Nitschke said.

Another piece of good news comes in the shape of the M3 and M4. Notice how we mentioned only the M5 and M6 as AWD M cars? Well, that's because the M3 and M4 will 'forever' remain RWD, as Nietschke claims.

“The M5 and M6, maybe in the next generation they could get AWD, but not with the M3 or M4. Never,” he said.

Then yet, the same was said about the M5 and M6 not too long ago, so don't expect this to come true. After all, we're sure that there is a market for AWD M3s and M4s out there. However, nothing compares to rear-wheel-drive on a track, in both terms of fun and performance.

Sure, the xDrive system would help with the 0-60 times but that's not the only thing to look at when buying or driving a car, that's just a number. The way the car feels, though, is a completely different thing.

Via: Motoring
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