BMW head of product development says M division would like to develop its own car

[b33g33]

http://www.insideline.com/bmw/bmw-m-...s-own-car.html

Just the Facts:
Albert Biermann of BMW says the high-performance M division would like to develop its own car.
Biermann says the job of the division is to "sell emotion and fun," whatever the engine.

MUNICH, Germany — Albert Biermann, head of product development told Inside Line that BMW's M performance division would like to develop its own car. "From an engineering perspective we have the skills and we'd love to do it," he said. "We've discussed it several times but we've never been able to make the business case. Everything we do has to make money."

The engineer claimed that M was also ready to adapt to the development of alternative powertrains. "Our job is to sell emotion and fun, using the technology that's socially acceptable at the time. Whether that's a combustion engine or an electric motor, we don't care."

The new M5 swaps a V10 for a twin-turbo V8 and Biermann expects this trend to continue. "It's about employing the right technology at the right time and we're on a steep learning curve with turbos. We're getting damn close to matching the response of a naturally aspirated engine but with much lower fuel consumption."

While engine efficiency will improve, Biermann signaled the end of the horsepower race. "We cannot just keep adding power," he said. "M is not selling horsepower; that's not what we're about."

He also refused to rule out developing a diesel M car. "We'd never say never if the technology becomes available, but right now we don't have the diesel technology to match the responsiveness of the new M5."

Inside Line says: Let's hope they make the business case — a latter-day M1 to take on the Audi R8 could be just what BMW needs.

I thought they already did :

[b33g33]

Autocar has the same interview but with some more details on what cars they would like to make:

http://www.autocar.co.uk/News/NewsAr...llCars/259703/

BMW’s M performance division would like to follow its Mercedes-Benz AMG rival and create its own bespoke car, product development chief Albert Biermann has revealed. Mercedes’ AMG performance offshoot was responsible for the SLS supercar and Biermann admits that it’s a path he’d like M engineers to follow, although BMW has yet to be convinced of the business case.
“From an engineering perspective, we have the skills and we’d love to do it,” he told Autocar. “We’ve discussed it several times but we’ve never been able to make the business case. Everything we do has to make money.”
Biermann also claimed that M is trying to convince BMW to allow them to develop a version of the Z4. “There are days when it hurts not to have one but there was no business case at the time when the decision was taken. We are trying to make a case but there are so many factors to consider.”
Biermann said that M was ready to adapt to the development of alternative powertrains. “Our job is to sell emotion and fun using the technology that’s socially acceptable at the time. Whether that’s a combustion engine or an electric motor, we don’t care.”
The new M5 swaps a V10 for a twin-turbo V8 and Biermann expects this trend to continue. “It’s about employing the right technology at the right time and we’re on a steep learning curve with turbos. We’re getting damn close to matching the response of a naturally aspirated engine but with much lower fuel consumption.”

Biermann also refused to rule out a long-rumoured diesel M car. “We’d never say never if the technology becomes available, but right now we don’t have the diesel technology to match the responsiveness of the new M5.”

[Whteverjklasdf]

Sure BMW M has the technical know-how to build a first class supercar.

Hell, they provided the engine to the McLaren F1.

[ESC OFF]

Would love to see it happen!

[ADVANT123]

I thought the 99-2002 M Coupe was an M designed car.. At the time- only the roadster body/chassis existed - the "M" division created the hatchback/coupe model...

[DriveHard]

Originally Posted by ADVANT123

I thought the 99-2002 M Coupe was an M designed car.. At the time- only the roadster body/chassis existed - the "M" division created the hatchback/coupe model...

although i agree with you....... the car you speak of is affectionally called " The Clown Shoe"........


so maybe they shouldn't....LOL