Concept BMW Vision Future Luxury Concept

[bmwblog]

Still don't think there is an M4 GTS now.

So it's no M4 GranCoupe, and it's likely no M4 GTS Concept. I guess that makes it fairly clear that won't be much then.

What is "high-tech new USP" ?

 

[SCOTT27]

That whole M4 GTS rubs me the wrong way a bit. The only M4 that I know BMW is testing is the M4 MotoGP Safety Car. I don't think that mule is the M4 GTS.

And you're right, no M4 GC, let's all drop that

That MOTO GP Car is testing and evaluating GTS equipment.

 

[klier]

Still don't think there is an M4 GTS now.

Whatever it is, it's not a Moto GP safety car testing, because there is no testing to be done there. Those pace cars are standard M cars with some adjustments. They don't go on sale and when something breaks down they fix it. There's no reason to extensively road test it, they never leave the track.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

I'm calling it now. Some kind of M6 CSL/GT3 Concept that will have the laser and OLED lights.

 

[Sunny]

Whatever it is, it's not a Moto GP safety car testing, because there is no testing to be done there. Those pace cars are standard M cars with some adjustments. They don't go on sale and when something breaks down they fix it. There's no reason to extensively road test it, they never leave the track.

And unless Moto GP and Ice bike racing had an unholy matrimony this year, there is no reason to test the Moto GP safety car on snow on winter tires.

Also didn't we already see the moto gp car?

 

[bmwblog]

Okay, we'll see after March 1. Will revisit this topic again

Whatever it is, it's not a Moto GP safety car testing, because there is no testing to be done there. Those pace cars are standard M cars with some adjustments. They don't go on sale and when something breaks down they fix it. There's no reason to extensively road test it, they never leave the track.

 

[Sunny]

Okay, we'll see after March 1. Will revisit this topic again

Just to be clear, I am not saying what ever mystical M car BMW is apparently going to show at Geneva will be the GTS. But your assertion in the post below that there is no M4 GTS and the M4 test mule is the MotoGP safety car is very likely wrong. So no, we won't necessarily know anything immediately after March 1st.

That whole M4 GTS rubs me the wrong way a bit. The only M4 that I know BMW is testing is the M4 MotoGP Safety Car. I don't think that mule is the M4 GTS.

 

[klier]

I'm calling it now. Some kind of M6 CSL/GT3 Concept that will have the laser and OLED lights.

If that is it, I wonder how much weight they will be able to shed off. The M6 is a fatty.

Also didn't we already see the moto gp car?

Yes, and it's a normal M4 with decals and a fire extinguisher in the back.

The Moto GP Safety car sticker on the side of that M4 being tested is for shitz and giggles and nothing more.

 

[EnI]

The M4 "GTS" is the "future M production model, launched within 15 months, featuring standard OLED rear lights" and the "high-tech new USP that is even more M-like". And will also be the M highlight of BMW's 100th birthday. No M7, no M supercar, no i8S ... "just" M4 GTS. Sure, there will be some "100 Jahre" editions of other BMW models, and there will be a design exercise for Concorso d'Elegance ... but that's more or less it.

So it's no M4 GranCoupe, and it's likely no M4 GTS Concept. I guess that makes it fairly clear that won't be much then.

Expect not a production version of M4 "GTS" but "M4 Coupe Concept Ver.2.0" - the one from CES but upgraded. Not only featuring LaserLights and OLEDs, but also "high-tech new USP that is even more M-like (than OLEDs)". So, something concerning powertrain, drivetrain, chassis or/and lightweight body parts.

What is "high-tech new USP" ?

USP = Unique Selling Point.

My take? M4 "GTS" ... An enhanced M4 with features & specs of an exotic supercar, officially presented in early 2016, and launched few months later.

 

[klier]

The "USP" is Auto Drift Mode. Watch it happen.

 

[martinbo]

Thanks EnI, informative but, if true, ultimately grotty news. The high-point of BMW's 100 Year anniversary is thus, ostensibly, nothing more than an M4 "Black Series"? Heck, if it was my company's 100 year anniversary I'd make a bit more of a splash; whatever happened to celebration - austerity and responsibility notwithstanding?

 

[EnI]

@Martin

There will be celebrations, special events, campaigns, merchandising, some "100 Jahre" special editions - with some nice extra trim, color and nice special celebratory badges etc. But when it comes to "Bang!" products ... no, nothing special. Enhanced version of M4 ... that's it. And there will be an exhibition item from design department.

No time & need for d.ck-measuring contest. Priorities lie elsewhere ... 2020 is coming soon ... and so are the fierce obligatory EU-standards of < CO2 95g/km - which would require lots of new PHEVs and other innovations to reduce emissions & fuel consumption.

Not to mention the development in the area of driving assistance systems & in-car electronic systems. Lots of R&D money would be required in the next years. So ...

There's absolutely no time nor there are resources available for some vanity project ... There will be a celebration but after that there is hard work, and nothing but hard work. To stay independent & competitive BMW Group has to be entirely focused & highly efficient. No time at all for la vida loca.

 

[Monster]

@Martin

There will be celebrations, special events, campaigns, merchandising, some "100 Jahre" special editions - with some nice extra trim, color and nice special celebratory badges etc. But when it comes to "Bang!" products ... no, nothing special. Enhanced version of M4 ... that's it. And there will be an exhibition item from design department.

No time & need for d.ck-measuring contest. Priorities lie elsewhere ... 2020 is coming soon ... and so are the fierce obligatory EU-standards of < CO2 95g/km - which would require lots of new PHEVs and other innovations to reduce emissions & fuel consumption.

Not to mention the development in the area of driving assistance systems & in-car electronic systems. Lots of R&D money would be required in the next years. So ...

There's absolutely no time nor there are resources available for some vanity project ... There will be a celebration but after that there is hard work, and nothing but hard work. To stay independent & competitive BMW Group has to be entirely focused & highly efficient. No time at all for la vida loca.

There is no business case for BMW to enter the 991/AMG GT/Audi R8/NSX segment at all? BWM has the i8 but it doesn't get the heart racing. It isn't a dick measuring contest, it is simply a celebration of a century's worth of great history and achievements, a company such as BMW deserves something more significant than what you have mentioned above.

 

[DblPen]

@Martin

There will be celebrations, special events, campaigns, merchandising, some "100 Jahre" special editions - with some nice extra trim, color and nice special celebratory badges etc. But when it comes to "Bang!" products ... no, nothing special. Enhanced version of M4 ... that's it. And there will be an exhibition item from design department.

No time & need for d.ck-measuring contest. Priorities lie elsewhere ... 2020 is coming soon ... and so are the fierce obligatory EU-standards of < CO2 95g/km - which would require lots of new PHEVs and other innovations to reduce emissions & fuel consumption.

Not to mention the development in the area of driving assistance systems & in-car electronic systems. Lots of R&D money would be required in the next years. So ...

There's absolutely no time nor there are resources available for some vanity project ... There will be a celebration but after that there is hard work, and nothing but hard work. To stay independent & competitive BMW Group has to be entirely focused & highly efficient. No time at all for la vida loca.

i think BMW is missing huge opportunity with this kind of thinking

 

[EnI]

There is no business case for BMW to enter the 991/AMG GT/Audi R8/NSX segment at all? BWM has the i8 but it doesn't get the heart racing. It isn't a dick measuring contest, it is simply a celebration of a century's worth of great history and achievements, a company such as BMW deserves something more significant than what you have mentioned above.

Such car is coming ... later in this decade. As a product of Toyota / BMW collaboration. Not a hybrid but a regular ICE car. On a special modular platform. Most probably under Z6 badge, with M version most probably (sharing powertrain with M3/M4). Upcoming Z4 will miss an M model but will come in M40i version though. Z4 will be based on modified F22 2er platform.

I think BMW is missing huge opportunity with this kind of thinking

Logos ahead of pathos. Simply as that.

They are doing fine. Mind the resources are limited.

 

[martinbo]

@EnI, ok fine, valid points taken and business rationale accepted: BMW will not waste millions of Euros on a once-in-a-lifetime special model to celebrate BMW's centenary as one of the world's greatest car manufacturers. Hey, let's not make an unnecessary song and dance about it just to give Internet fanboys some anti-Stuttgart ammo.

But, if BMW isn't going to waste money doing the above then at least give BMW fans and owners something to be happy about; at least pass some of the happiness on to your customers... Give a trade-in incentives to existing owners, increase the standard line content as special offers, pass back some value to your loyal customers.

Don't do nothing, though, give the people who love BMW for everything there is to love about the brand at least something to remember, something to commemorate what is surely a great milestone in the history of the automobile.

 

[SKY]

M4 GTS sounds just perfect. Maybe the whole 100 yahre thing has been too hyped, but I would expect the i8S at least is comming sooner than later. Probably no M Supercar and no M7, but i8S? I´d take that as a given.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

@EnI...at least pass some of the happiness on to your customers... Give a trade-in incentives to existing owners, increase the standard line content as special offers, pass back some value to your loyal customers.

BMW thinking:
why make some options standard or provide discounts to those people who will buy the product anyway, when you can offer special edition versions with some decals and actually charge them more?!

 

[SCOTT27]

I would not say the centenary will be low key. It will be represented by each BMW brand and sub-brand including MINI and Rolls-Royce. The highlight of the centenary will be the all new 5er which will be presented during the celebrations.

 

[bmwblog]

What I said was this: The M4 tested now, might have the GTS stuff underneath, but it's not the actual GTS car. Of course there is a GTS or whatever will be called coming, actually several special M3/M4s in the next few years. But it won't be in Geneva. 100%

Definitely stand by what we said, it's based on concrete info

Just to be clear, I am not saying what ever mystical M car BMW is apparently going to show at Geneva will be the GTS. But your assertion in the post below that there is no M4 GTS and the M4 test mule is the MotoGP safety car is very likely wrong. So no, we won't necessarily know anything immediately after March 1st.