[BMWGirlFL]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Discussion of electrification begins around 14:20. Future special models around 21:18. Fun questions around 22:45.

https://www.carsguide.com.au/car-new...-six-yet-83359

BMW M boss says the inline six might be the last combustion engine offered by the brand.

BMW’s M division will unveil its first electrified model later this year, but the brand’s boss still thinks there is room for new powertrains to sit alongside the existing V8 and inline six-cylinder petrol engines.

Speaking on BMW Australia’s podcast last week, BMW M boss Markus Flasch said the changeover to electric powertrains won’t be instantaneous, and that existing powerplants will continue to be offered for now.

“As in the past, we offer the best propulsion technology for the use case,” he said. “We don’t have all-wheel drive in all of our cars, we don’t have V8s in all of our cars, we have diesel-powered M Performance cars as well, so there is a whole variety today and we will see this also in the future.

“BEVs work in all different segments, and there will be room for combustion engine only in the most core models, so there will an answer for every use case and there will be a reason to own more than one M car.”

Mr Flasch did not reveal more on the timing of the first electric BMW M model, and in what form it will take, but said hybrid performance powertrains are also being worked on.

“We will see the first battery electric M car performance model ready later this year, we will see high-performance hybrid variants pretty soon, and we will see high-performance battery electric vehicles in a couple of years,” he said.

A hybrid M model will likely be adopted by BMW’s larger cars, Mr Flasch hinted, such as the 5 Series-based M5 and mechanically related X5/X6 M Competition models, and the inline six-cylinder engine currently employed in the new M3/M4 could be the last purely internal-combustion engine from the performance brand.

“With the large engines, hybridisation makes the most sense and also for the cars they are used in like the M5 and large X models,” he said.

“And then the straight six is the icon, this is the backbone … it’s probably the last combustion engine that will be offered in a BMW M car.”

As it stands, the new-generation M3/M4 with their 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine outputting as much as 375kW/650Nm will likely not move to electrification as they have just launched, but the current M5 is now four years old.

It stands to reason that the next-generation 5 Series, which could be around two years away, would be developed with electrification in mind, meaning the M5 Competition’s 460kW/750Nm 4.4-litre twin-turbo V8 might be augmented or downsized with hybrid performance in mind.

Mr Flasch said that electrification won’t take away from the driving appeal of M models though, and that the hurdle will be translating the unique characteristics of the new powertrains into a racetrack setting.

“Electrification, if you think it through and you use all the potential that the technology offers, you can probably achieve ultimate driving dynamics,” he said.

“This is the chance we want to take, and that we are working on.

“Longitudinal performance is something that has never been the single purpose of M, and even less so with electrified cars. With battery electric vehicles initial acceleration and longitudinal performance is something pretty much everyone can do.

“And this is not what we are working on, we are working on ultimate driving dynamics.

“The M cars we will put on the road, the electrified M cars, will show that this is the future.”

[///M TOWN]

We'll see

BMW's sandbagging has put them very far behind in the EV race, so it's currently very hard to take them seriously

[V-Eight]

good news....and bad news.

Through the lines Flasch says that it's not secure that the v8 will live over the current lineup.....as the straight six is the flasgship iconic engine for BMW M, so....if there will be an ICE enegine to kill...it will be probably my beloved v8.

We have another confirmation too......the M3/4 will be the last pure ICE, and they will receive an hybrid module in the next few years....(LCI???)

I'm not against hybridisation or electrification, at all. But for a petrolhead like me, these are sad words to listen to.

I'm really happy that my brother is due to receive his brand new M8comp coupé next week though. The last pure BMW v8 will scream a little bit over here alongside my M3.

[eman4517]

Originally Posted by V-Eight

good news....and bad news.

Through the lines Flasch says that it's not secure that the v8 will live over the current lineup.....as the straight six is the flasgship iconic engine for BMW M, so....if there will be an ICE enegine to kill...it will be probably my beloved v8.

We have another confirmation too......the M3/4 will be the last pure ICE, and they will receive an hybrid module in the next few years....(LCI???)

I'm not against hybridisation or electrification, at all. But for a petrolhead like me, these are sad words to listen to.

I'm really happy that my brother is due to receive his brand new M8comp coupé next week though. The last pure BMW v8 will scream a little bit over here alongside my M3.

Yes, sad times indeed, but inevitable. I'm so glad I snatched my F90 M5C LCI last December!

We even had our electrician fit our new house built last year with an EV charging outlet.

[thaalrasha]

my god it's not vertical format... why is that ? XD Did they finally see reason ? Ha it's not the main marketing channel probably...

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by V-Eight

Through the lines Flasch says that it's not secure that the v8 will live over the current lineup.....as the straight six is the flasgship iconic engine for BMW M, so....if there will be an ICE enegine to kill...it will be probably my beloved v8.

At this point it would require a major change in direction for the V8 to end after the current generation of vehicles. It has been widely reported (and has been a poorly kept secret) that BMW is readying an S68 V8 hybrid setup with ~750hp. This is expected to make its debut in the XM, and will no doubt make an appearance in the next M5 as well. After that, things do get murkier, but it may very well also power the next 8 Series (should it return, which is still possible in Gran Coupe form) and the next X5/X6 M.

We have another confirmation too......the M3/4 will be the last pure ICE, and they will receive an hybrid module in the next few years....(LCI???)

There's no chance for a change that major during the lifespan of the current G8x generation.

But yes, the next generation 3/4 Series and M3/M4 are rumored to usher in the Neue Klasse architecture which is BEV / PHEV only.

[cfm56d7b]

The electrification story has been foretold by Porsche 918 Spyder hybrid powered by 600 HP V8 and 2 electric motors with an additional 282 HP.

In 2013, Porsche 918 Spyder set a Nürburgring lap time of 6:57 beating the previous record by 14 seconds. The record has been beaten since 8 times standing at 6:40.

8 years ago, Porsche 918 Spyder could be in anyone's garage for $1M USD. What is remarkable is how the same technology now costs a fraction.

I would not mind M3/M4 with 600 HP inline 6 and 2 electric motors which engage when needed, i.e. pulling out of a corner.

[xdrive_320i]

Personally, I'm very excited for electrification. People love to crap on EVs for lack of engagement, but the Taycan has hinted at the serious performance cars will attain in the next couple years. Think about it: we're only starting down the path to electrification and we have 5,000 pound vehicles doing 0-60 in under 3.0s

Imagine those same power figures in a car that weighs 3500-4000 pounds :O

[KoenG]

Originally Posted by mkoesel

It has been widely reported (and has been a poorly kept secret) that BMW is readying an S68 V8 hybrid setup with ~750hp. This is expected to make its debut in the XM, and will no doubt make an appearance in the next M5 as well. After that, things do get murkier, but it may very well also power the next 8 Series (should it return, which is still possible in Gran Coupe form) and the next X5/X6 M.

I read that the V8 hybrid will be the top engine for only a couple of years at about 750hp. But full BEV will follow as from 25/26 with a combined ~1000hp. Obviously without the V8. Most probably the development budgets for niche market ICE like S68 or S58 are being cut off now or very fast. It's just a cost a manufacturer is not willing to bare for only a projected lifespan of max 10yrs from now.

[JohnBucurE92]

BMW will likely develop two modular BEV platforms in the future. One for non-M models, and one for M models. This is my opinion, the platform tech might be so modular and easily changed one day that they'd only have to develop one. Either way, with the performance possibilities electric drive has opened up in the past few years (and exponentially continues to get better) we are bound to get some amazing M's in the future.

[SeanWRT]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

"We will see the first battery electric M car performance model ready later this year, we will see high-performance hybrid variants pretty soon, and we will see high-performance battery electric vehicles in a couple of years," he said.

Three different things are said:
1. The first BEV M car performance model ready later this year.
2. A high performance Hybrid "we will see pretty soon"
3. A high performance BEV we'll see in a coupe years.

Thoughts on differences between "BEV M car performance model" from #1 and "high performance BEV" from #3?

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Three different things are said:
1. The first BEV M car performance model ready later this year.
2. A high performance Hybrid "we will see pretty soon"
3. A high performance BEV we'll see in a coupe years.

Thoughts on differences between "BEV M car performance model" from #1 and "high performance BEV" from #3?

1. is the i4 M50 and/or the iX M60 (the former is coming earlier I think and is supposed to launch in late 2021)
2. is probably the next-gen hybridized-v8 M5/M8/X5M/X6M
3. is likely the i4M or iXM - if they get greenlit/made

[sward]

Originally Posted by mbanck

1. is the i4 M50 and/or the iX M60 (the former is coming earlier I think and is supposed to launch in late 2021)
2. is probably the next-gen hybridized-v8 M5/M8/X5M/X6M3
3. is likely the i4M or iXM - if they get greenlit/made

I think number 2 is the X8 or XM that starts production mid 2022

[BMWGirlFL]

I also think #1 is the i4. 6/2 debut??
I think #2 "variants" suggests special models. This gen.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by sward

I think number 2 is the X8 or XM that starts production mid 2022

Yeah, it makes sense that this (v8-hybrid) drivetrain would debut in the X8/XM - however, I think it is pretty certain that it will trickle "down" to the M5/M8/X5M/X6M

[ghaffari46]

About time

[sward]

Originally Posted by mbanck

Yeah, it makes sense that this (v8-hybrid) drivetrain would debut in the X8/XM - however, I think it is pretty certain that it will trickle "down" to the M5/M8/X5M/X6M

Absolutely

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by SeanWRT

Three different things are said:
1. The first BEV M car performance model ready later this year.
2. A high performance Hybrid "we will see pretty soon"
3. A high performance BEV we'll see in a coupe years.

Thoughts on differences between "BEV M car performance model" from #1 and "high performance BEV" from #3?

This chart can somewhat clarify the unscripted statements.

1. BEV M Performance models
2. PHEV M "High-Performance" or "Core" models
3. BEV M "High-Performance/Core" models

Next Gen MHEV shouldn't be considered as "electrified" models.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by lemetier

This chart can somewhat clarify the unscripted statements.

1. BEV M Performance models
2. PHEV M "High-Performance" or "Core" models
3. BEV M "High-Performance/Core" models

Next Gen MHEV shouldn't be considered as "electrified" models.

I find this a bit laughable. There are now more "levels of ///M" than there are of the base series

[lemetier]

Originally Posted by CanAutM3

I find this a bit laughable. There are now more "levels of ///M" than there are of the base series

Really think a presentation from M GmbH is going to expand on the AG "levels" beyond what's necessary?

Sure, some of the nomenclature is a bit different, but this structuring isn't exactly new.

[CanAutM3]

Originally Posted by lemetier

Really think a presentation from M GmbH is going to expand on the AG "levels" beyond what's necessary?

Sure, some of the nomenclature is a bit different, but this structuring isn't exactly new.

Where I live:

• 430i xDrive
• 430i xDrive M-Sport
• M440i xDrive
• M4
• M4competition
• M4CS
• M4CSL

[KoenG]

“Longitudinal performance is something that has never been the single purpose of M, and even less so with electrified cars. With battery electric vehicles initial acceleration and longitudinal performance is something pretty much everyone can do.

“And this is not what we are working on, we are working on ultimate driving dynamics.

----------------------------------------------------------
Very curious to see how M will differentiate in the future.

Flasch wants us to believe that electric is only good for acceleration and that vehicle dynamics is a real challenge, but we all know that all electric cars have their center of gravity very near the axle height, and the weight distribution 50/50 is also straightforward now. On top, faster and better torque vectoring has become a commodity with BEV. What's left is wheel guidance geometry, suspension setup and steering control and feedback. The Taycan already demonstrates this.

With such a future, M could dissolve into a pure equipment line above the Sportsline. Their purpose will shirnk down and they could cease to exist.