Phoenix Rising? (Possibly?)

[NarutoRamen]

One last thing:

We have a saying in Arabic, when there is smoke, there is fire. I believer, that BMW have had a high staff turnover, especially engineering department. Bangle was just announced since he is highly exposed to the press. I believe they are more resigntions that resulted in this.

If they have high turnover then perhaps they should give me a shot. Who knows, I could stick around to be up on the board someday.

 

[Centurion]

One last thing:

We have a saying in Arabic, when there is smoke, there is fire. I believer, that BMW have had a high staff turnover, especially engineering department. Bangle was just announced since he is highly exposed to the press. I believe they are more resigntions that resulted in this.

The reason why someone with a PHD in mechanical engineering would apply for a job at BMW is to be involved in developing cars reminiscent of those posted on our walls when we were kids. If BMW don't give their highly qualified engineers the opportunity to exercise their skills, then a departure from the manufacturer is very much given. And now when BMW have left F1, there is not much motorsport in the suffix M. VAG, PAG, Nissan, Lexus, Ferrari and now Mclaren have currently exciting projects in progress that would very easily entice top BMW chassi engineers to jump the ship of stagnant development in sportscars.

I have yet to see the phoenix, and until there is some hard evidence the M1 and CS are just a myth to me.

 

[Ultimate Car Guy]

The reason why someone with a PHD in mechanical engineering would apply for a job at BMW is to be involved in developing cars reminiscent of those posted on our walls when we were kids. If BMW don't give their highly qualified engineers the opportunity to exercise their skills, then a departure from the manufacturer is very much given. And now when BMW have left F1, there is not much motorsport in the suffix M. VAG, PAG, Nissan, Lexus, Ferrari and now Mclaren have currently exciting projects in progress that would very easily entice top BMW chassi engineers to jump the ship of stagnant development in sportscars.

I have yet to see the phoenix, and until there is some hard evidence the M1 and CS are just a myth to me.

I would have to disagree with all of this. This is getting ridiculous.

Lets think about this. If i were a BMW engineer and i was unhappy with the company's current projects, which company could i join? Porsche? No, cos they're gonna be merged with VW and they don;t even have F1. If i join VW, chances are, i'll probably end up working on the next VW van. Audi? no, cos FWD and RWD could never match the balance or purity of RWD that i've developed my career with at BMW. Opel? hahahahahah. Ford of Europe? maybe, but no where near the prestige of a BMW.

As someone who analyses and consults in the industry, i can assure you that no engineer would want to leave BMW or their existing car company. Given the unprecedented economic conditions, people are thinking to themselves how fortunate they are to still have a job. BMW is one of the only few that have not made massive job redundancies. In fact, all of their redundancies to date have been voluntary or come as a result of attrition.

 

[Sayyaaf]

The situation we are talking about must have occurred somewhere within the last 2 years .. while working on "currently" road going cars, not at this specific moment. So there is a chance that engineers left for Porsche, Audi, Lamborghini, Nissan ... etc

2 years back, all of the above were working on interesting projects,
Audi: R8 and Rs4/Rs6/TT-RS ..
Nissan: GTR
Lambo: the usual.
Porsche: Panamera & 911 variants.

And talking about Audi about being a FWD only manufacturer is complete ignorance. The RS4/RS6/S4 and TT-RS are all RWD biased and more hardcore than ever . Given their flawed chassi design, Quattro Gmbh has done a wonderful job.

And back at that day, what were BMW planning ? X6 ? 5 GT ? yeah quite interesting for a hardcore racing engineer.

 

[rollo]

I would have to disagree with all of this. This is getting ridiculous.

Lets think about this. If i were a BMW engineer and i was unhappy with the company's current projects, which company could i join? Porsche? No, cos they're gonna be merged with VW and they don;t even have F1. If i join VW, chances are, i'll probably end up working on the next VW van. Audi? no, cos FWD and RWD could never match the balance or purity of RWD that i've developed my career with at BMW. Opel? hahahahahah. Ford of Europe? maybe, but no where near the prestige of a BMW.

As someone who analyses and consults in the industry, i can assure you that no engineer would want to leave BMW or their existing car company. Given the unprecedented economic conditions, people are thinking to themselves how fortunate they are to still have a job. BMW is one of the only few that have not made massive job redundancies. In fact, all of their redundancies to date have been voluntary or come as a result of attrition.

Disagree, the OP was not referring to Engineering ranconfile, but to highly-sought-after-cutting-edge talent. In any industry, they can move and are motivated by more than just $.

 

[ghusheshe]

Scott/ Eni please decipher this for us. At the announcement of the Formula 1 farewell to BMW, Chief executive Draeger said that BMW is increasingly focusing on sustainability. “…You'll see a sustainable product developed at the IAA in Frankfurt in a few weeks.. In the form of a concept car, “said Draeger. “BMW's Efficient Dynamics approach this time will show how efficient a sports car can be...” It will prove that sustainability is not only reserved to the powertrains, but also to the design and materials. "

 

[Sayyaaf]

Dr. Klaus Draeger, member of BMW's board of management has told AutoTelegraaf, the dutch auto news site, that BMW has plans to debut a sustainable sports concept car at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September 2009. According to Dr. Draeger, the sports car concept will feature "sustainable design and material elements."

If past reports are any indication, this upcoming sports car concept may be used to study the viability of creating a 2 seater sports car which showcases BMW's latest environmental technology (such as lightweight materials, stop-start systems, regenerative braking systems, direct injection, etc.) while taking on the likes of the Audi R8 and Mercedes' highly anticipated SLS AMG Gullwing. Word is a limited production run could possibly start sometime in 2012.

I wonder what it is

 

[Zafiro]

I wonder what it is

I hope its something real good. Long time ago but now I feel excited about a BMW product again.

 

[SCOTT27]

Vision Z.

 

[jack]

It will prove that sustainability is not only reserved to the powertrains, but also to the design and materials

sounds like the evolution of the GINA concept.
2001 GINA Light
2009 Vision Z
2012 Z2

 

[EnI]

As said before:

Z9 @ IAA 1999
Z10 @ IAA 2009 ... perhaps the concept will be named "Z Vision".

Showcasing upcoming Z2 design elements, and also potential BMW supercar design.

 

[NarutoRamen]

^^Thanks for explaining that.

 

[EnI]

Words of Dr. Draeger (Chief of R&D BMW Group):

I would like to underscore what Mr. Reithofer just said:
Sustainability is becoming increasingly important. As a responsible premium manufacturer, we want to address this issue even more extensively than before.
What this means for our products is that:
They will be developed and built in line with the principle of sustainability across all development stages. Technological innovations will be accelerated even more, in order to constantly make our vehicles more efficient.
You will see a product of sustainable development at the IAA in Frankfurt in a few weeks in the form of a concept car. The BMW EfficientDynamics Vision will demonstrate how efficient a sports car can be. It will also prove that sustainability does not apply to the drive train alone, but to design and materials as well.
Anyone who takes a closer look at this concept car will understand the direction in which we are developing our technology. And it will become evident that we will have to dedicate more human and financial resources to this type of development work.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
BMW has always been active in the field of motor sports, and this will not change. We will maintain our outstanding tradition in touring car and Formula BMW racing over the long term. We will promote framework conditions that establish motor sports as the arrowhead of innovations that trickle down to future mass-produced cars. New drive concepts are just one example. BMW will continue to showcase sheer driving pleasure on the racetrack.

So ... BMW are becoming "The Ultimate Sustainable Machine" ...

 

[Sayyaaf]

I don't want to sound negative, but I am not gonna rock n roll for a concept.

Bring a production version and we'll talk.

 

[AdvEvo]

Also me.

I wil jump in the air for a 1 series ///M 320hp 8500 rpm en 1200kg.

 

[NarutoRamen]

Also me.

I wil jump in the air for a 1 series ///M 320hp 8500 rpm en 1200kg.

It could be more powerful because the 135i is already underrated.

 

[Sunny]

It could be more powerful because the 135i is already underrated.

I don't think Ad cares if it is more or less powerful as long as it is NA.

 

[NarutoRamen]

I don't think Ad cares if it is more or less powerful as long as it is NA.

I don't think it will be NA, not in this "Green" climate anyway.

 

[rollo]

Words of Dr. Draeger (Chief of R&D BMW Group):





So ... BMW are becoming "The Ultimate Sustainable Machine" ...

What the hell does that mean? Sustainable, like forever? Sustainable is a lofty goal?

This is absolute nonsense and from the R&D Chiefs' mouth no less. It's bad enough when CM spew this crap.

What a sad day for BMW.

 

[SCOTT27]

Now that Porsche has lost it's Independence it is up to BMW to take on that mantle and their engineers.

BMW has to be sustainable to remain Independent and that is the new strategy. Although BMW are reluctant to follow other manufacturers leads what BMW will do is something entirely different from it's core competitors , Sustainability is more than just the technology that will be found in unique vehicle concepts but sustainability will also be evident in our product growth , The 3er product range will be added with an additional 3er Gran Turismo model and another idea in design phase is the return of the 3er Compact but as a smaller Shooting
brake type car.

The portfolio that will provide more sustainability to the BMW Group will be the range of models developed underneath the 1er Platform. Aimed fully at the growth that will be expected with the compact segment from which BMW will have a range of Sporting compact cars in many variants and guises aimed at the customers who would be in the market for these cars.