[Fraggy]

I don't get how this is good. Are the Audi and Mercedes electric?

[Falafel Combo]

Originally Posted by KGB_123_99

The i8 GC....because reasons

Mi8dx50 GT. Because no reasons at all.

[positiveions]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

It continues the Less is more philosophy... But it is not an i8.

I sure hope so. Build from ground up. Something more on "first ever from BMW" technology and aesthetic design.

[IB M]

Would be cool to see an electric gas hybrid super car done by BMW but better and more attainable for most would be a lightweight M4 CSL for the US market.

[ron_jeremy]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

It continues the Less is more philosophy... But it is not an i8.

Could it be the i8 drivetrain, minus the B38 derivate.
But instead of the B38, Maybe a reworked N20, or an S engine?
Whatever it will be, it's welcomed.
Going to test the i8 next week, can't wait!

[chipotle_napkins]

BMW M Division should just form their own automotive company. Then we will be competing with Porsche the suspense is killing me

[N & M]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

It continues the Less is more philosophy... But it is not an i8.

I can see your answers following the same philosophy. Whatever it is they plan and whomever they entrust to make it, the finished product needs to be nothing short genius.

BMW are far too late in the game and seems that every competitor has announced thier electrified super or sports car with degrees of potency from i8 to P1.

[synclastica_86]

Is there rly room for such a car? The current i8 is already 136k. The i8S should be about 180-200k unless they make it super exclusive (think e92m3 gts) then it'll be more like 250k. Where will it put an M car that uses i8 technology? Is there rly room for an M car priced well in to 911 turbo S and Ferrari territory?

[N & M]

Originally Posted by cSurf

I don't really understand this.

BMW built their reputation on making mundane 4-door sedans fun to drive.

If BMW's series (and M car derivatives) were the best cars in their respective classes (as they were for so long), then do they need really need a halo car?

What does a 918 competitor accomplish?

Why not plow the money this would cost into figuring out how to make a parallel (to UKL) small-sedan RWD platform viable?

In the long run, that'll carry the brand much further than a low-volume hybrid meant to compete in a class that doesn't present much of an ROI for BMW (or its customers).

#hurryupwiththem2

The M1 made possible all the cool 4 door M cars we love. The engine and dynamics parts and spirit is what lasted till the advent of the Turbo era in my opinion. Perhaps a new hero car will finally set the pace for the next super drives that have come to symbolize the brand.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by aeropixel

BMW M Division should just form their own automotive company. Then we will be competing with Porsche the suspense is killing me

Technically M GmbH is their own company, owned by BMW and able to take advantage of BMW Groups emission umbrella... Just like with Porsche under VAG...

The GmbH part is the German abbreviation for a company with limited responsibility, or Ltd (Gesellschaft mit begrenster Haftung = GmbH)

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by cSurf

If I wanted or could afford a super car, I'd buy one from Mclaren.

I want BMW to make better BMW's. Specifically, figure out how to make the F3x as enjoyable to drive as an E4x (maybe upping the EPS R&D budget). Simply, bring character back to the series cars (and by extension, the M cars), deliver something tangible to enthusiasts.

At least for me, posters don't do it. Driving a car that's clearly an improvement on the one that it replaces, is.

That is only you. If I wanted a spacey but compact family van I'd take a Ford C Max or VW Golf Plus, instead of an overpriced underdelivering poser BMW 2er ActiveTourer.

[BMW269]

It will not be technology ground breaking. i8 is not revolutionary because plug-in hybrids a not new and CF chassis neither.


In any case BMW is late, that is a fact, and they can't catch up. If nothing comes, most will think BMW can't but uses the excuse it doesn't need. If BMW do, they would not have been able without Toyota. AMG can, Quatto can, GM can, FCA can, Toyota can. Would have been other wise if BMW acquired Lotus. BMW's English brand portfolio in incomplete, they are lacking a sports car brand.

[SCOTT26]

Originally Posted by N & M

I can see your answers following the same philosophy. Whatever it is they plan and whomever they entrust to make it, the finished product needs to be nothing short genius.

BMW are far too late in the game and seems that every competitor has announced thier electrified super or sports car with degrees of potency from i8 to P1.

BMW are not late in the game. From a certain point of view you could actually say BMW are ahead of the game, thanks to the i8. There is no other car in its significant price point that offers the same philosophy or indeed the same construction methods. If you want that then you have to pay multi-million euros for that. That is the genius of the i8 and BMWi. They have completely outclassed their competitors in how a sports car can be progressed especially when you take into consideration future legislation.
The i8 is a solution to a probable future and everyone will be following.

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

BMW are not late in the game. From a certain point of view you could actually say BMW are ahead of the game, thanks to the i8. There is no other car in its significant price point that offers the same philosophy or indeed the same construction methods. If you want that then you have to pay multi-million euros for that. That is the genius of the i8 and BMWi. They have completely outclassed their competitors in how a sports car can be progressed especially when you take into consideration future legislation.
The i8 is a solution to a probable future and everyone will be following.

Exactly!!!!!

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by YungDro

The product boss of BMW's M performance division, Carsten Pries, has indicated a softening of BMW's stance towards building a junior supercar as a rival to the Audi R8 and the new Mercedes-AMG GT.

Such a car would also act as the spiritual successor to the original M car, the M1, from 1978. M division has a long-held desire to follow the lead of Mercedes-AMG and create a junior supercar, but until now parent company BMW has remained unconvinced of the business case.

However, the arrival of BMW's 'i' sub-brand and the performance potential of the hybrid technology found under the skin of the BMW i8 has raised the prospect of the idea being revisited.

Responding to a question about whether BMW still felt its 'i' and 'M' brands need to be kept entirely distinct despite the obvious suitability of the i8 for the M treatment, Pries said: We have to let the i brand settle down first. It is still very new to the market and the customer needs to be given some time to understand its proposition. Then, maybe, we can look at doing something.

Speaking at the Los Angeles motor show, Pries confirmed that any resulting car would not be simply a hotter version of the BMW i8, but an M-car in its own right which merely used i8 technologies such as its carbonfibre construction and revolutionary plug-in powertrain.

Source: http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-news/mo...unior-supercar

This will never happen, because it will trump the i8, which bmw would never let happen. They need hype to sell the i3 i5 etc, and obsoleting the i8 is not going to help

[antzcrashing]

Originally Posted by JSTDR1V

They'll just call it something stupid like M supercar

I find this funny

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by antzcrashing

This will never happen, because it will trump the i8, which bmw would never let happen. They need hype to sell the i3 i5 etc, and obsoleting the i8 is not going to help

If BMW i8 sells, it is mostly because it is he only 'halo' car they have. Now if there is the same one but as M, i8 will instantly get forgotten and stop selling.

[clbmw]

So we've pretty much had confirmation of the i8S/i9 and debate is now for an M supercar?

If BMW can produce something in the 458/650S performance category I reckon it should go back to the trademark catchphrase and be called UDM, Ultimate Driving Machine or perhaps have a U moniker.

///MU1 anyone?

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by Levi

If BMW i8 sells, it is mostly because it is he only 'halo' car they have. Now if there is the same one but as M, i8 will instantly get forgotten and stop selling.

Not sure, I bet Porsche sell a lot more 911 Carrera S than Turbo S

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by N & M

The M1 made possible all the cool 4 door M cars we love. The engine and dynamics parts and spirit is what lasted till the advent of the Turbo era in my opinion. Perhaps a new hero car will finally set the pace for the next super drives that have come to symbolize the brand.

good point.

[Roundown]

Originally Posted by Levi

That is only you. If I wanted a spacey but compact family van I'd take a Ford C Max or VW Golf Plus, instead of an overpriced underdelivering poser BMW 2er ActiveTourer.

I don't think you understood my post.

For a zero sum R&D budget, I think better Series (and M derivatives) is a higher use of funds than a super car.

As other's have pointed out, the two may not be mutually exclusive.

I have my doubts, but clearly, I'm in the minority.

[ChrisMT79]

Originally Posted by Fraggy

I don't get how this is good. Are the Audi and Mercedes electric?

Interesting you mentioned that. Here is a quick, small list of cars I would own over Audi, (not including the R8 E-Tron), and Mercedes (less perhaps the S400 Hybrid for efficiency and immense comfort).
First some obvious choices; Porsche 918 Spyder, La Ferrari, and McLaren P1... And the key, not so life savings depleting; Tesla S.
BMW isn't following Audi or Mercedes, so it's quite obvious, although the vehicles I mentioned are all completely different, and have slightly different target markets, they are all successful. And and the Tesla S clearly shows the potential, as well as the fact there is a market for luxury electrics (and improved hybrids) regardless if it was created out of political motives, (at least it does have some social responsibility charging its purpose). BMW is in a terrific position, having launched what is as close to a 911/R8 fighter as we have seen in recent years. What better way to do it, than by utilizing a relatively new technology to implement it. And had the i8 failed miserably, it could simply be chalked up to technology too new, or the application was inappropriate, or whatever they wanted to say really. It is much easier to write off a unsuccessful project from a new division, ( i ), than had it have been the M division held accountable. That is one reputation no one wants to be responsible for tarnishing.
Now because it is/was successful, I see no reason why placing a TwinTurbo 6 (or better yet 8) in there, with all the carbon fiber and sprinkle on a little M sauce, could be a bad thing?