The new M Performance automobiles range

[as7920]

Any more info on the xDrive M performance models?

 

[Tarek]

IMO this is confusing and i really don't see the point just as i don't see the point of Audi's S line.

 

[klier]

But the 50d is an I6, no?


Best regards,
south

Yeah, this is true, I had the 550i in mind. Lets just say it's the odd one out that proves the rule

The point was that the 135i will be an I6 and not the new N20 engine. The whole displacement thing is another story altogether.

I'm guessing he was probably thought the discussion was on the 50i instead of the 50d.

Yeah, I thought about the 550i, but the discussion switched to a whole different subject suddenly. My statement is clearly wrong though I see, so Levi is right it can't be seen what engine is under the hood by just looking at the badge. The 328i became an I4 again recently, and thinking about it BMW did this in the past too. 320i for example has been I6 and I4, 740i has been both V8 and I6, etc etc........but still, when you see the 35i nameplate, it's 99.9999% safe to say there is an Inline Six under the hood.

IMO this is confusing and i really don't see the point just as i don't see the point of Audi's S line.

No of course, you'll only see the point when MB starts moving it's fat slow a$$ and does it too.

 

[Deckhook]

Do you not mean the S models instead of S-Line as that is similar to the M-Sport line by BMW. Personally I think Audis S models are great, just enough sportiness whilst still being usable and relevantly cheap because not everyone can afford than RS.

 

[Levi68]

I think Audi S models are nice because compared to the top models of BMW and Mercedes they are more exclusive and are not just range topping models with M / AMG package standard. I really thought BMW would close the gap between BMW models and BMW M models with BMW Tii models, like the 1 Series Tii Concept we had in Tokyo some years ago. There were rumors the new 3 Series Coupé, now the 4 Series Coupé F32, would come as a 350 PS I6 4 Series Tii. I don't see that happen anymore.

 

[Centurion]

So this is like Audi S-versions....something between BMW and M.

It seems like it. I certainly didn't expect the M badge to descend this quickly from being a skunk works to a branding tool. M-trim is now available at launch and the next final piece of the circle seems to be offering a bit of M to those who want sport but not extreme sport and the pricing that comes with it.

 

[SK1]

Just wondering, if these M50d models have any hope of getting DCT-transmission or is it going to be same 8-speed auto- as in regular models?

 

[Zafiro]

More M parts. Optional M sport brakes shown here.

 

[klier]

^^ Those 19" are off the hook

Do you not mean the S models instead of S-Line as that is similar to the M-Sport line by BMW. Personally I think Audis S models are great, just enough sportiness whilst still being usable and relevantly cheap because not everyone can afford than RS.

Yea, it's like this I guess:

M Sport =/= S Line
M Performance =/= S
M =/= RS

 

[Tarek]

No of course, you'll only see the point when MB starts moving it's fat slow a$$ and does it too.

Lol..you need to grow up and not take every comment as an attack on BMW..too much insecurity.

Do you not mean the S models instead of S-Line as that is similar to the M-Sport line by BMW. Personally I think Audis S models are great, just enough sportiness whilst still being usable and relevantly cheap because not everyone can afford than RS.

Yeah i meant S models..i never understood those cars.Anyway looks like BMW is eyeing those cars seriously.

 

[SCOTT27]

Of course Mercedes-Benz and Audi will be next. Industry rumors point to Performance diesels being worked on as we speak.
The biggest surprise as an "industry Rumour" is that Porsche are working on a Performance Diesel for the Panamera and Cayenne.

 

[EnI]

Dr. Draeger (BMW Group R&D chief) rules out V6, and announces 3-turbo I6 engines.

Draeger also spoke briefly about using three turbos, one electric powered, in future diesel engines. “We see the demand for still more power from the current 3-liter diesel,” he said. BMW will not reintroduce a V-8 diesel, which Draeger dismissed as bulky and heavy. “So we thought about how to increase the power, and the idea is to pump it more up.”

We also asked Draeger whether BMW was firmly committed to the straight-six engine. Would the brand ever consider switching over to a V-6? “Never, ever in my life,” came the quick reply.
Elaborating, he explained that having the exhaust gasses only on one side allows BMW to use two turbos of different sizes, and also will allow the use of 3 turbos in the future. He further pointed out that the straight six requires half as many camshafts and a much shorter timing chain as well. It also is naturally balanced as well.

Read more: Five Minutes with BMW's Head of Product Development, Dr. Klaus Draeger - Rumor Central

 

[Giannis]

Having taken some time to read the press release, a few articles and the discussion that took place here, at GCF, I think it's time to write about my opinion:

I will start, not by saying if I like this move or not, but by identifying the gap between the top of the line regular BMW models and the respective M. It's a good sized gap, wide enough to fit an extra model and be even more competitive, both output and prise-wise. That said, what has to be decided is the character of the new model. Should it be closer to the M or the regular model?

Before focusing on BMW, let's see what MB and Audi do:

By looking at Mercedes Benz'es line-up, we see that there is no extra model between the top of the line X-Class and the AMG model. Yet, you can have an AMG badge in a regular MB, in the form of a visual upgrade.

In the Audi stable, the RS badge is only for RS cars. On the other hand, the gap between the regular A/Q_ model is bridged with an S model. There's the S-Line visual upgrades as well. Works well and doesn't mile the RS badge.

Now let's see BMW. By refusing to admit the existance of the XM twins, the M badge is so far, pure. The M-Pack visual upgrades are a nice addition to the regular models and they are still not a copy-paste work of the M models. This means that the M-Pack bumpers are different from the M bumpers, etc. About the gap: Bridging it horsepower wise, is relatively easy. But having in mind BMW's sporty past, it's kind of natural and logical that the gap will be bridged using a name of known sportiness and rich history. So the M letter was used.

Fact is that BMW could use other names as well. "Si" has worked wonders in the past and so has "iS". First was last used with the E30 320si, with the CF engine cover and the latter was last used with the first gen X5 4.8is, if I am not mistaken. Sporty combination of letters, but not as "powerfull" as the M letter.

Marketing wise and in any other perspective except the die-hard BMW fan's one, going M is the most logical move. But now the M letter is present not only in the form of visual upgrades and the top of the line model/legend, but in the name of the car that bridges the gap. Sure, it's here to sell, but overusing the M badge is really such a good idea?

That said, I fully understand the decision by the BMW board, to, once again, use the M letter, but as a BMW fan, I don't want to see everyone and his mother having, one way or an other, an M. M used to be special, whatever the form it came as, but now M is everywhere. I would prefer to see the gap getting bridged using the "is" or "si" naming, but I am most looking forward to seeing and experiencing the new M50d engine and whatever the 135M will be.

 

[SCOTT27]

M Performance asks some of the questions that the M brand choose not to answer - Performance Diesel and AWD in the M5? Which is why The BMW M550d xDrive can answer both and can also offer the Touring aswell. The interesting thing is that the M550d xDrive Touring will lay the foundations to see if there is further demand for a proper M5 Touring.

Since the E87 there has always been demand for a proper Performance hatch and not just a 130i with M-Sport. BMW considered a 135i hatch but left it exclusively to the two sportier models of Coupe and Cabrio. Since the Coupe and Cabrio are still further away from replacement. BMW will concentrate on the hatch to showcase how M have turned the car into a more focused and sportier car than the other 1er variants. M have worked on the chassis to deliver a very sporting character to this entry M Performance model.

 

[EnI]

The M hierarchy:

M Sport (Package) < M Performance < M < M Competition / Special Edition < M CRT < M GTS < M GTx (GTR, GT2, GT4 etc)

 

[klier]

Lol..you need to grow up and not take every comment as an attack on BMW..too much insecurity.

I don't need to do anything.


And I wonder how some people here are going to spin the FACT that there has never even been a V6 in testing.
Levi, care to explain why you were so completely and utterly wrong?

 

[Levi68]

I don't need to do anything.


And I wonder how some people here are going to spin the FACT that there has never even been a V6 in testing.
Levi, care to explain why you were so completely and utterly wrong?

Just like there has never been any M6 CSL (E63) in testing and just like there has never been any plan of any Z2.

 

[Tarek]

Of course Mercedes-Benz and Audi will be next. Industry rumors point to Performance diesels being worked on as we speak.
The biggest surprise as an "industry Rumour" is that Porsche are working on a Performance Diesel for the Panamera and Cayenne.

Well the W203 C30 CDI AMG was the first German performance diesel ever..so it's nothing new to MB here.

 

[Deckhook]

Of course Mercedes-Benz and Audi will be next. Industry rumors point to Performance diesels being worked on as we speak.
The biggest surprise as an "industry Rumour" is that Porsche are working on a Performance Diesel for the Panamera and Cayenne.

I know being a BMW insider you will see things from a BMW prespective but seriously... Merc and Audi will be next. M-Performance has been slow to react to the market place that Audi created many years ago with their S models and as for Merc well theyre yet to come up with anything, likewise with the concept of performance AWD, another thing Audi pioneered in this market.

Now performance diesel is one thing BMW has been at the forefront and done a magnificant job with and but I still don't think they have lead the field here either because Merc had theirs as Tarak already mentioned and Audi had their v8TDI and the monster that is the v12TDI. Personally what I think BMW has done is offer performance diesels to a far wider audience than either of the others and in this they will need to follow which can only be a good thing for us consumers.

 

[klier]

Well the W203 C30 CDI AMG was the first German performance diesel ever..so it's nothing new to MB here.

This is true, completely forgot about that car.
But then again, it's success was minimal, and it's impact even less big...