[eau_rouge]

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"Hybrid powertrains are just a matter of time because it depends on the progress in electrification."

Hi guys!

I've just received the copy of the british trade magazine "Automotive Engineer", which is the official magazine of the European Cooperation of Automotive Engineers.

There is yet another interview with the head of the M division, Frank van Meel. As Automotive Engineer focuses on topics like powertrain and drivetrain, the interview is about the powertrain concepts and carbon fibre usage within the M GmbH in the near future. There is a lot of talk about the electric, M-badged vehicle as well, but please, see and read for yourself.

PDF is attached as well, for better reading experience.

[Outlaw 06]

Synopsis: BMW’s M division used to lead the competition by producing iconic performance cars, but those days are long gone for M in particular and BMW in general. BMW will continue proliferating the market with predictable, M-badged, turbocharged products, while resting on the laurels and legacy of yesteryear’s iconic M cars. Finally, we will continue cashing in on our long-ago-earned reputation for as long as we possibly can.

[Sephiroth]

I didn't find his comments inflammatory. Many of us have accepted the fact that M needs to adapt to today's realities.

As for the future, battery technology is the primary bottleneck to introducing electric power into M cars. It doesn't add much value right now.

[Dackelone]

Thanks for posting. Interesting read.

[MrBens]

Oups... "V6 engine" ?

[E92LNGCGY]

What is the "4Ti" mentioned in the article?

[Pauleebe]

"Innovate, or become irrelevant."

People do realize BMW isn't immune to this, right?

[Jeff_DML]

Originally Posted by MrBens

Oups... "V6 engine" ?

yep and done by the European Cooperation of Automotive Engineers

They must be great engineers

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by dwalls90

"Innovate, or become irrelevant."

People do realize BMW isn't immune to this, right?

I had the pleasure of driving a C Coupe for an extended period of time. That package is superior to the 4 series. BMW needs to step up their game. We're falling behind. I'm all for innovation, and moving forward. It just hurts to see cars like the AMG GT, and the Rebadged VW R8 halo cars, while BMW is putting out 'Special Edition' cars like the M6 Competition Edition or our Halo car, the i8. Our competitors are thriving with Twin Turbo V8's and naturally aspirated V10's.

I understand that times have changed, but we can't just rest on our laurels. It's a sad day when you start hearing a Mercedes is 'more fun' to drive than it's BMW counterpart.

[Frankrizzz]

Your comments are subjective. I'm not sure what you mean by Bmw is "falling behind". Sales and technology say otherwise. No disrespect to your opinion of the new c class coupe but it is competing with a 3 year old chassis (4series). I'm grateful the competition is fierce as we have more fun cars to drive, while we wait for Bmw to innovate again.

[N & M]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 06

Synopsis: BMW’s M division used to lead the competition by producing iconic performance cars, but those days are long gone for M in particular and BMW in general. BMW will continue proliferating the market with predictable, M-badged, turbocharged products, while resting on the laurels and legacy of yesteryear’s iconic M cars. Finally, we will continue cashing in on our long-ago-earned reputation for as long as we possibly can.

They may have lost their way in the transition to new technologies but I believe the existence of M2, the M3 competition package and the GTS prove otherwise.

Every manufacturer goes through a conceptual doldrum once in while, but I believe they have realised that is not in thier interest and have taken actions to counter this.

[Outlaw 06]

I wouldn’t call turbocharging (and turbo lag) innovation. Forced induction has been around for almost as long as the internal combustion engine. Turbocharging is just the cheapest way to produce higher horsepower and meet US and EU regulations right now (while increasing complexity, decreasing reliability and introducing lag). The truth is that any car maker on the planet can turbocharge an ordinary engine to produce high horsepower.

Sticking M badges all over ordinary cars doesn’t meet my definition of innovation either.

My definition of innovation includes the following BMW (naturally aspirated) masterpieces of engineering: M88, S14, S50B32 & S54B32, S62, S65, S70/2, S85.

[__saullizano]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 06

Synopsis: BMW’s M division used to lead the competition by producing iconic performance cars, but those days are long gone for M in particular and BMW in general. BMW will continue proliferating the market with predictable, M-badged, turbocharged products, while resting on the laurels and legacy of yesteryear’s iconic M cars. Finally, we will continue cashing in on our long-ago-earned reputation for as long as we possibly can.

you say bmw & M are dead because you miss how your e36 5spd w lsd would make you smile light to light

[clbmw]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

I had the pleasure of driving a C Coupe for an extended period of time. That package is superior to the 4 series. BMW needs to step up their game. We're falling behind. I'm all for innovation, and moving forward. It just hurts to see cars like the AMG GT, and the Rebadged VW R8 halo cars, while BMW is putting out 'Special Edition' cars like the M6 Competition Edition or our Halo car, the i8. Our competitors are thriving with Twin Turbo V8's and naturally aspirated V10's.

I understand that times have changed, but we can't just rest on our laurels. It's a sad day when you start hearing a Mercedes is 'more fun' to drive than it's BMW counterpart.

+1

[ShocknAwe]

Interesting read. So they make bigger cars which require more power to move, which leads to more weight, which leads to more carbon fiber use to bring the weight back down out of the stratosphere. This leads to more expensive cars which are arguably not value for money anymore.

Where's my lightweight agile small 2 and 4 door sport sedans BMW? M2 came close but miss the mark by an inch, might as well miss it by a mile.

[wdeerfield]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

What is the "4Ti" mentioned in the article?

yea thats what im wondering as well. is that a hint as to the next car out of iPerformance?

[W///]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

I had the pleasure of driving a C Coupe for an extended period of time. That package is superior to the 4 series. BMW needs to step up their game. We're falling behind. I'm all for innovation, and moving forward. It just hurts to see cars like the AMG GT, and the Rebadged VW R8 halo cars, while BMW is putting out 'Special Edition' cars like the M6 Competition Edition or our Halo car, the i8. Our competitors are thriving with Twin Turbo V8's and naturally aspirated V10's.

I understand that times have changed, but we can't just rest on our laurels. It's a sad day when you start hearing a Mercedes is 'more fun' to drive than it's BMW counterpart.

Wake me up when Mercedes offers a car that doesn't weight 4000 lbs and offer a MT.

Otherwise, no care.

[Dackelone]

Originally Posted by E92LNGCGY

What is the "4Ti" mentioned in the article?

I think the author meant the BMW X4 M40i. It uses a similar(but not the same) engine to the M2.

Dack

[ORIGIN M.]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

Thanks for posting. Interesting read.

Absolutely !

[SYT_Shadow]

Well, the first problem is that Frank comes from Audi. Seriously, puke moment

The maker of horribly unbalanced cars, AWD garbage and such moves to M???

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by Outlaw 06

I wouldn’t call turbocharging (and turbo lag) innovation. Forced induction has been around for almost as long as the internal combustion engine. Turbocharging is just the cheapest way to produce higher horsepower and meet US and EU regulations right now (while increasing complexity, decreasing reliability and introducing lag). The truth is that any car maker on the planet can turbocharge an ordinary engine to produce high horsepower.

Sticking M badges all over ordinary cars doesn’t meet my definition of innovation either.

My definition of innovation includes the following BMW (naturally aspirated) masterpieces of engineering: M88, S14, S50B32 & S54B32, S62, S65, S70/2, S85.

1. BMW will never create an NA engine ever again. Get over it.

2. The only time that forced induction dies is when a hybrid drivetrain (NA + electric) is implemented. This will probably happen within the next generation or two, and customers will only benefit from it.

3. M cars are more about the chassis/suspension development, not just the drivetrain. Current models convey this.

If you plan on being a luddite for the rest of your life, you should be supporting the use of forced induction, electric drivetrain, or any other technology that can help further the decrease in usage of fossil fuels. It is vehicles like these that will save the "classic" cars that we all know and love today.

[Tag]

Seems to be just another sales pitch marketed as an "interview". Not even one question/mention of M2 supply vs demand. Fantastic reporting!