AMS Interview with BMW Chief of Development Klaus Draeger

[Ralfd]

Here is the link to the interview in 'Auto Motor und Sport':

BMW: "Wir müssen jetzt die Spur halten" Wirtschaft + Handel bei auto motor und sport

Its in German, but here are a few infos that might be interesting 4u :

- F01 : Start November 15th, expected sales this year 5000 units, start overseas February 2009, standard and long versions available right from the start, no decision on Hydrogen version of F01 yet

- X1 : possibly a study will be shown in Paris, but not confirmed (other possibilities are Geneva or Detroit), designwise it will be unique

- X5/6 : no plans to cancel the large SAV lines... no impact so far from breaking down of (US) SUV market... X5 /X3 / X1 are important parts of BMW portfolio and will remain so

- 3 series : No additional variants planned, no decision on rooftype (steel or canvas) of successor of 3 series convertible yet

NO M3 CSL

- No Super sportscar to compete with R8 and Mercedes

- No competitor for CLS or A7 planned, instead PAS

- CS study is close to reality

- New Rolls Royce model almost ready to launch

 

[Zafiro]

Nothing at all Im intrested in hearing. Worthless info for me (no your fault Ralf )

 

[klier]

No M3 CSL???? R U SERIOUS??? Oh man, that would suck.
..wasn't the new Z8 going to compete with Mercedes and R8?? Or is there no more Z8 coming either? I see no mention of this....

CS, or as Scott says GT7, close to being done sounds great.
No competition for A7 CLS makes sense because BMW has a real coupe, 6er....and PAS

 

[SDNR]

- CS study is close to reality

So when will we see it?

 

[Ralfd]

Z8 is not mentioned in interview..I guess (my interpretation) its not meant to be a 'Super Sports Car', but more a super car , competing with SL

CS study close to reality designwise....no timeframe mentioned

 

[Mr Robert]

So they chicken out on overdoing themselves with a new CSL.

 

[Jackbmw]

We don't need the PAS, brings us new 8-Series (2 door coupe) and the new M3 CSL (both as sedan and coupe) instead.

 

[LaArtist]

Wow talk about party pooper..haha

 

[S'Pimp]

sorry - - but C stands for Coupe

 

[Merc1]

Not the news BMW fans wanted to hear, hopefully some of it is incorrect.

M

 

[Jackbmw]

But whom should we believe

This article says that the new CSL is expected in 2009 at IAA in Frankfurt.
2010 BMW M3 CSL to get 470-hp, top speed of 186mph


Let's hope the guy from BMW lies

 

[Sunny]

NO M3 CSL

Guess they are too busy developing X0 to X999999...999. oh and don't forget to develop X-my ass.

 

[Potential]

Do you really expect him to just burst out with every piece of upcoming machinary from BMW. Some of this stuff is huge news so I doubt he is the man to release it in a small interview with a magazine.... C'mon guys!!!

 

[SCOTT27]

If you really look beyond the lines you can see that the general topics of information are already that BMW board have made public.

For instance we know that their has been press releases regarding and indeed confirming models such as the PAS ,CS (GT 7) , X1 , RR04 and of course denial about production chances of the M1 Hommage .
Already available in the public domain.
BMW interviews have always never strayed beyond what is already known.
So when BMW want you to know "Whats up next?" they will let you.

Example : automedia phone up to ask about mysterious BMW prototype (we know it's out there but we deny it ) Sorry it's not a BMW , even though they know we are lying. It's all about product secrecy and creating the debate when the time comes then we let you know.

 

[siko]

My theory:
No additional variants planned of the 3-series by BMW does not necessarilly mean no CSL, as an CSL would be a M3 variant, and thechnically the M3 is made by subsidiary M GmbH, not BMW directly.

Unless of course he says specifically said "no CSL"

 

[EnI]

Unless of course he says specifically said "no CSL"

Dr. Draeger said:

Q: Can we expect a new M3 CSL?
A: No. We are very satisfied with the existing M3 model line: sedan, coupe & cabrio.


Saying that he also denied the M3 Touring, not only the CSL.

 

[Mr Robert]

Dr. Draeger said:

Q: Can we expect a new M3 CSL?
A: No. We are very satisfied with the existing M3 model line: sedan, coupe & cabrio.


Saying that he also denied the M3 Touring, not only the CSL.

The answer is pretty direct, so I guess no CSL as long as uncle Draeger is happy with the current M3. As long as he is happy that is. But on the other hand, why reveal that you have something like that up your sleve a year and a half away...

 

[Mr Robert]

Try this:

Hr. Dr. Prof. Käsekraut* said:

Q: Can we expect a M5 Touring or maybe one with a manual gear box?
A: No. We are very satisfied with the existing M5.

Now let's see, how did that work out?

* sounds made up, rightly so.