Whilst I am in South Africa getting the X3 ready ahead of it's launch in June, thought it might be a good time to catch up on what is happening in the BMW World. First of all. The latest BMW Trademarks have been registered. M 50 d – Is the Tri-Turbo Performance diesel , It will appear in the 5er upwards. The new 6er due to be unveiled this year will also receive this engine partly because the best selling 6er is the 635d. Urbanic – Is referred to a specification for the Mega City Vehicle. Gran Coupe – Is defined by it’s relation to the Gran Turismo which will be seen as a four door coupe-sedan based on the 6er and eventually the 7er. It is understood to keep CS for any M derived vehicles instead of applying CS to this concept. Gran Coupe sounds more mature than Coupe Sedan. Compactive and Compactive Tourer – are ideas that BMW are putting through as feasible to offset the 1 / 3er platforms . They are seen as new concept think as a RWD X6 in shape and eqiually distinguishable Crossover/Tourer – Its the next step for the mooted “Y” series known internally as the Sport Activity Compact ,and compactive Tourer is BMW’s answer to a compact flexible concept like the upcoming MINI “Spacebox” i – Begins our naming structure for the Project-i sub brand within BMW to which it is plainly obvious to which name the sub-brand will use. i1 – i9 is trademarked for continuity . e – Join eDrive as fully fledged electric driven models through BMW’s core product range. 1-9 is to provide continuity with the trademark but there is nothing in planning for the 8 and 9er. eDrive will be seen on lower models of the BMW portfolio with Active Hybrid taking over the upper echelons of the BMW Portfolio. Next time debunking the FWD story - (owners of 1er upwards can feel relieved) and why there will not be a "0er" And yes M are going Diesel. Full details soon.
Just when you think BMW cannot sink any lower, they pull this little gem out of the bag. Why can't they just leave the "M" division alone?
I'd say it would make sense for the X5/X6 to have a diesel M engine. They could almost be distinct and separate from the other, classical M derivatives (M3 etc)... M can't stay stuck in the 90s, the automotive industry is moving to quickly for that nonsense.
Believe me, i've completely lost interest for anything from that post of Scott after reading the last sentence.:jpshakehe :t-cheers:
Yeah, the whole "M going Diesel" doesn't sound very appealing, but that still doesn't take away from the rest of the cars.
For now, M is a valuable brand with a great sportscar image... make fast profit of it. Once again, image not product. Oh, by the way, If M moves to turbo they might as well go diesel, the character is the same. What "rest of the cars" are you thinking of?
I know I sound like an old record player going on about the M badge, but seriously, I welcome the tri turbo performance diesel with open arms but why not badge it "is" or "tii" or "supersports". For goodness sake stop diluting the M brand! People who are interested in the Tri Turbo diesel will still buy it even if it doesn't have an M badge.
Because M-Cars are getting heavier and diesel equals torque which is great for getting obese cars off the line.
I'm not sure. I think the brand image is very important. I know this, because BMW's actions tells the exact same story.
Awesome update Scott! Can't wait for everything you mentioned. Leave the haters alone in their sorrow!
So using your reasoning that people are not badge whores, I could also conclude that, people who are interested in a M3 would still buy it even if there is a diesel with a M badge on it? Just a different pov. :t-cheers:
screw this, I think the essence of car building was already gone when they decided to give them 4 wheels instead of 3, what were they thinking with all that extra weight ...keep it lightweight I tell ya
I personnelly think its a good idea to have a diesel M..I shure hope mercedes comes out with a AMG diesel...
LOL, amazing. BMW M going from lightweight, super high revving naturally aspirated engines to extra heavy tri-turbo forced induction engines in less than 5 years. Principle much ?
