BMW scraps plans for R8 rival

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

So there have been a lot of rumors for the last decade or so about a possible BMW supercar, much like the original M1 from the 1970s. The rumor circulating the automotive desks was that BMW’s M-Division was considering a Mercedes-Benz SLS and Audi R8 competitor.
I already firmly believe that we produce supercars, except that they’re two in one: an executive car with supercar performance.

And to see if any of these rumors were true, I popped the magic question when I sat down with BMW of North America’s M-Division Product Manager, Matt Russell. In his response, Russell said:“A lot of people come to me and ask, does M need a supercar? We’ve had the choice to do something like that that when we were planning the 1-Series M Coupe. Amongst its development, we all pondered: do we do a supercar as in a mid-engined wedge, or some super high-priced front-engined wedge?,” said Russell. “We’ve discussed these possibilities. But ultimately, we didn’t feel the need to make a very exclusive high-end supercar and we still don’t. I already firmly believe that we produce supercars, except that they’re two in one: an executive car with supercar performance. They are the essence of BMW M-Cars.”
And Russell does share a fair point. He continued by sharing examples such as the current E92 M3 sedan explaining that it was “spot on with the Audi R8 V8 in terms of performance numbers like lateral G’s, braking and acceleration.” He also made his case with the new F10 M5, which recently pulled a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds in a CARandDRIVER test.

“The new M5 is undoubtedly a supercar from the driver’s seat. It can accelerate with a Lamborghini if not faster in some cases, it will brake with almost anything out there,” Russell elaborated. “And again, we like to build two cars in one: this is what M does. Nobody offers that perfect combination of a driver’s car and an executive car that you can use everyday. So technically, we already build supercars.”
Performance wise, they’re not doing anything that we haven’t already done in a two-door sports coupe or four-door sports sedan.

But the question still stood. Audi has the R8, Mercedes-Benz has the SLS AMG, Lexus the LFA and Audi has the sexy R8. Wouldn’t it make sense for BMW to step into the game?“I look at those cars in two different ways: cosmetically and at a performance stand point. Sure the Lexus, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche all created supercars with a great deal of sex appeal. But I see our M cars as sexy too,” Russell responded with much confidence. “Performance wise, they’re not doing anything that we haven’t already done in a two-door sports coupe or four-door sports sedan, thus there’s no huge performance breakthrough on those cars that we can’t create or sell at a lower price point. All of that said, we don’t think the BMW M buyer needs a super exclusive and super expensive car because of what they get from our current M-Cars. Most buyers already have second cars that have more of an emphasis on performance and BMW M shows the world how versatile and livable a supercar can be. BMW M cars are for those buyers who don’t want to make that sacrifice in performance for practicality.”
Needless to say however, we can pretty much lay any current rumors or assumptions to rest about a BMW supercar to compete with the Mercedes SLS… at least, for the time being.

Exclusive: BMW M thought about a dedicated supercar before doing 1-Series M coupe, decided against it | egmCarTech

 

[330CIZHP]

Wow! Just wow!! The ignorance is painful to read.

Talk about Mr. Russell being dellusional. I wonder what type of drugs is he on?

 

[Monster]

“Performance wise, they’re not doing anything that we haven’t already done in a two-door sports coupe or four-door sports sedan, thus there’s no huge performance breakthrough on those cars that we can’t create or sell at a lower price point.

I think he is placing too much emphasis on straight line acceleration figures instead of the sense of occasion you get from driving cars like the R8, SLS.

Most buyers already have second cars that have more of an emphasis on performance and BMW M shows the world how versatile and livable a supercar can be. BMW M cars are for those buyers who don’t want to make that sacrifice in performance for practicality.”

Well does it ever occur to him that these M buyers and owners will want a high performance, specially designed super car to go with their current M car? The M5 is too big and heavy to be a called a super car and it definitely cannot match a Gallardo around corners.

 

[Mr Robert]

"If we can't do it, those that can are idiots."


Makes one wonder about the financial strenght of BMW - I mean, they would have built an R8 and SLS competitor if they could, not go "Naaa... our sedans are just as good".

 

[mini_cooper4]

There is a thread already. Will be good if someone can merge them
Thanks in advance

 

[Levi68]

Ha ha ha! 2 tons and 600 HP is a supercar? M5 handles as an SLS and M3 like an R8? WTF are you talking about Russell?

 

[Kowalski]

BMW Fanboy: The new M3 is old and yet beats the crap out of the RS5, IS-F and C63 AMG! Suck on that Audi, Lexus and Mercedes bitches MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!


Audi fanboy: Yeah, but Audi has the R8...
Lexus fanboy: Lexus has the LF-A...
MB fanboy: Mercedes-Benz has the SLS AMG...

Audi, Lexus and MB fanboys (in choir and all looking smug): And BMW has the...???












BMW Fanboy:

Audi, Lexus and MB fanboys:

 

[Betty Swollocks]

This is a big, big mistake. The knock-on effects of not having a competitor to the R8 V10* are many. Let me explain.

* I say the V10 because in my opinion, the M3 is good enough to compete against the R8 V8, and if my budget didn't stretch to the R8 V10, I would have bought another M3, NOT the R8 V8.


As this was my first Audi I had never been to my nearest R8 dealership before. After ten years of poor and indifferent service from my local BMW dealership, I was amazed at the quality of service from them. It was like night and day compared to the local BMW dealer. I'm not saying this would be similar across all Audi and BMW dealerships, but comparing these two.....well, there was no comparison. So, already I was happier. Whilst I was waiting for the technician to finish fitting the tracker on my R8, the sales guy gave me an A1 to go out and have a bit of a drive, just for the fun of it. So I took it out and was so impressed that I bought a new A1 too. In three years time, when I'll probably be thinking about changing the A1, due to the fact that Audi have now got me in their grasp and will probably give me the best trade-in, and the impeccable service I've received, the most likely candidate to replace the A1 will be another Audi.

I can guarantee, had BMW had a competitor to the R8, it's more than likely I would be driving that car now, plus a 1 Series. I'd had BMW's for the last ten years. And I'd still be experiencing poor service. Moving into the R8 has opened my eyes to another manufacturer, and it's a big loss to BMW, with the loss of loyalty from me, two news cars, inumeral new cars in the future, and all the service costs.

I'm afraid no matter how good the M5 F10 is, it just can't compete with a mid-engined two seat supercar with a NA V10.

 

[klier]

...and it's a big loss to BMW...

No kidding....what is it? €260,000 worth of cars?
BMW Netherlands now has to sell like seven 3-series to make the money they lost on you

As for the main article here: yeah, I think we pretty much all agree on how stupid it all sounds...." the M5 does 0-60 in 3.7 secs so no need for a proper sports car"
OMG, that sounds like a freaking MB sales person...is this how far we have come?

 

[Mr Robert]

As for the main article here: yeah, I think we pretty much all agree on how stupid it all sounds...." the M5 does 0-60 in 3.7 secs so no need for a proper sports car"
OMG, that sounds like a freaking MB sales person...is this how far we have come?

Exactly! Where did he ever develop his taste in cars? Here?



...and why did he ever apply for a job at BMW?

 

[LaArtist]

Hhaha reminds me of this dude on a board..that said The Pagani Zonda is a nice car, but BMW M3 is better

No wonder the fans get ignorant..if the management is talking along the same lines

Tragic

 

[klier]

Hhaha reminds me of this dude on a board..that said The Pagani Zonda is a nice car, but BMW M3 is better

Oh yeah, I forgot. When someone who is a BMW fan says something it automatically includes the whole group of people who like BMW...

Tragic indeed.

 

[Mr Robert]

In a sense, the moron with the Zonda comparison is right, the M3 is probably a better car in every sane aspect you could imagine - pitty sanity has nothing to do with this.

 

[Tarek]

That is just plain hilarious..

 

[330CIZHP]

He is talking as if power is only measured by 0 - 60 mph numbers and nothing beyond.

It is painful to see the decline of the brand I used to be so passionate about and used to fight tooth and nails for.

I am not comparing BMW of the days of yore with the present. I am only comparion my own passion I used to have in the days of yore compared to what I have now (or the despise I have).

 

[wookieecrisp]

I kind of feel that BMW M has, (or at least, had) the ability to make a supercar that is truly epic. We caught glimpses of this in the McLaren F1 and the E60 M5 engines. Handling and balance have always been near perfect for them.
What would happen if BMW M internals found their way to a supercar's and not a sedan's body? I guess we will be left wondering...

 

[LaArtist]

In a sense, the moron with the Zonda comparison is right, the M3 is probably a better car in every sane aspect you could imagine - pitty sanity has nothing to do with this.

Yes its better in all aspects that are irrelevant to hypercars..haha

 

[mini_cooper4]

Never heard a statement so stupid...
BMW should control their people better...
It's laughable!!!!
Really, what happened lately ??

 

[deity]

If you fly from Vancouver to Hong Kong in Economy Class, you travel at the same speed and get there on the same time, but everyone knows the reason why First Class is so desirable...

 

[mohsin]

Total agreement

Mr.Russel implies that BMWs M cars are infact super cars with versatility and livability , something other super cars such as the mercedes - benz sls or the Audi R8 are lack.....I would love to ask MR. Russel how did he come up with such a mockery of BMW M cars?