M3/M4 BMW's M Division head talks about M3 GT4 production, diesels and more


The BMW M3 is a high-performance version of the BMW 3 Series, developed by BMW's in-house motorsport division, BMW M GmbH. M3 models have been produced for every generation of 3 Series since the E30 M3 was introduced in 1986. The BMW M4 is a high-performance version of the BMW 4 Series automobile developed by BMW's motorsport division, BMW M, that has been built since 2014. As part of the renumbering that splits the coupé and convertible variants of the 3 Series into the 4 Series, the M4 replaced those variants of the BMW M3. Official website: BMW M
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PanterroR

PanterroR

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Sitting down to dinner with Dr. Kay Segler, head of BMW's M Division and former chief of Mini, is an engaging prospect for any performance and luxury car enthusiast, but this dinner proved not only entertaining, but enlightening.

There's no better source for what's planned behind the scenes at BMW's famed performance haus, and Segler gave us a few enticing hints of what might be on the way over the next several years. First on the list is the M3 GT4.

The car contested this year's 24 Hour Nurburgring endurance race through BMW's Customer Racing program, and the M Division is now considering the car for limited production so that more entry-level race teams can compete, according to Segler. He emphasized the importance of grass-roots participation in motorsport and the M Division's interest in helping to preserve and promote that aspect of competition. And that's a sentiment any enthusiast can appreciate.

Segler also discussed the possibility for a diesel M-car, but dismissed it as unrealistic until America embraces diesel more deeply since the U.S. is a key market for building any business case for a luxury or performance car. This is a familiar response when dealing with European automakers, and you can clearly see that the desire to put the cars out there exists, but without a market that's willing to pay the diesel premium it simply doesn't make for good business.

Finally, the M Sports line of vehicles was mentioned as a potential in-between line to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings - sportier and offering an improved level of performance, but not as focused and dedicated as the M vehicles tend to be. While many might say BMW already has too many models and variations, there is a certain logic to the idea that means it could just see implementation.


Source: BMW's M Division head talks about M3 GT4 production, diesels and more - MotorAuthority - Car news, reviews, spy shots

:t-cheers:
 
PanterroR said:
Finally, the M Sports line of vehicles was mentioned as a potential in-between line to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings - sportier and offering an improved level of performance, but not as focused and dedicated as the M vehicles tend to be. While many might say BMW already has too many models and variations, there is a certain logic to the idea that means it could just see implementation.
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There's a fair whack of contradiction in there given the X5M and X6M.
 
PanterroR said:
^Yep, that's true... Btw, was there any proper test of X5 or X6 M so far? :eusa_thin:t-hands:

:t-cheers:
Click to expand...
It's too hot in Europe now with it being summer. They're waiting for winter to avoid the heat soak and limp mode issues before releasing the car for road tests! ;) LOL :D Just kidding...
 
Why dont they do like Audi does with S-models and add some kind of LSD.
M power update +LSD, would be wonderful.
 
martinbo said:
There's a fair whack of contradiction in there given the X5M and X6M.
Click to expand...

MA said:
Finally, the M-Sportline of vehicles was mentioned as a potential in-between line to bridge the gap between BMW's standard vehicle range and the M Division's offerings - sportier and offering an improved level of performance, but not as focused and dedicated as the M vehicles used to be.
Click to expand...

Fixed it ;-)
 
A "diesel M car"? I wouldn't have a problem with that but think of all those people out there who'll complain about "the lack of high-revving" on a diesel.
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Geez, they need to understand that the fun of driving a diesel is the low-end torque surge and great gas mileage it offers. I would say that is another way to enjoy a car - even a hardcore performance sports car.
 
A "diesel M car"? I wouldn't have a problem with that but think of all those people out there who'll complain about "the lack of high-revving" on a diesel.
Click to expand...

The upcoming Tri Turbo diesel which is currently being evaluated in X5 prototypes fits well within that category as the engine will be known as the Sports diesel. I have heard that the results for this car are nothing but spectacular.
But ( and I am speculating here ) Perhaps It is possible for the M Division to work with the Tri-Turbo and boost it further from it's 354PS output to maybe and extra 100 or so PS? Whether they do or not depends totally on market demand.
 
SCOTT27 said:
But ( and I am speculating here ) Perhaps It is possible for the M Division to work with the Tri-Turbo and boost it further from it's 354PS output to maybe and extra 100 or so PS? Whether they do or not depends totally on market demand.
Click to expand...

Let them focus on cutting some 100 kgs instead. That would be so much better.
 
BMW should make more diesels, especially in the USA. But no on any ///M car. There can be no logical case for such a car
 
john5 said:
BMW should make more diesels, especially in the USA. But no on any ///M car. There can be no logical case for such a car
Click to expand...

M-diesels would make perfect sense in the X5M and X6M, problem is that the markets interested in those cars are not interested in diesel.
 
at first I would have said a diesel ///M would be blasphemy, but since the genesis of the SUV's I dont see why not.
 
BMW Power said:
at first I would have said a diesel ///M would be blasphemy, but since the genesis of the SUV's I dont see why not.
Click to expand...

But why does it have to be given the M badge? BMW make great diesels, and I actually like the idea of SUV's. I just don't see any reason to give them to the M division to tweak and then stick an M badge on....except for the reason of money.

Just make a great X5 or X6 with a great tri-turbo diesel engine and it will sell.
 

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BMW M

BMW M GmbH, formerly known as BMW Motorsport GmbH, is a subsidiary of BMW AG that manufactures high-performance luxury cars. BMW M ("M" for "motorsport") was initially created to facilitate BMW's racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time passed, BMW M began to supplement BMW's vehicle portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known by the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW's private facility at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.
Official website: BMW M

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