[footie]

Future BMW M Models and the 2010 BMW X6 M / X5 M - Interview

M is for muscle: We get the scoop on M models through 2015.


Like automakers everywhere, BMW is being squeezed by environmental issues (carbon-dioxide emissions, for one) and the need to improve the fuel economy of its fleet. What does this mean for the German automaker’s power-focused M division, with its fuel-hungry road gobblers? We recently asked *Ludwig Willisch, who heads the division.

Willisch told us that the next generation of M engines will have smaller displacement, which could mean less power. But turbocharging will help mitigate the decrease in displacement and should keep power levels about where they are today. And should the output drop, future products will lose pounds to maintain the power-to-weight ratios of today’s M products. Willisch even mentioned deleting somewhat heavy options such as power seats. Here’s what to expect from the M division in the next few years:

I have heard similar suggestions from many other manufacturers so it looks like all are going to try and tackle the environmental issues the same way and this includes their respective hi-performance models as well.

2012: Willisch told us the M5 and M6 will have an engine that is similar in concept to the X5/X6 M but not the same—maybe a small-displacement twin-turbo V-8 or even a radical twin-turbo V-6.

This maybe the start of a new era for M-Division, the first 'normal' M to bear a turbo engine but I doubt it will be the last and can't see a return to N/A for quite some time ............. if ever. I will be surprised if they don't make use of the X5/6M engine, the only way that they would develop a new engine for the next M5/6 is if that engine could also be used else where like the next M3 because there isn't sufficient enough sales from the M5/6 to warrant such an expense.

2014: An M version of the next-gen 1-series may arrive powered by a twin-turbo inline-four. BMW is looking at the business case before any engineering plans are made, but the goal would be about 300 horsepower with a 2900-pound curb weight.

This is the most exciting of all future M cars, the weight is right and the output is also right, being not to low as to be ordinary but neither is it too high as to potentially damage sales of the M3. This will be the car that will compete with the likes of the TT-RS and EVO whatever.

2015: The next M3 will be the “best” M3 ever and faster than today’s car, said Willisch. Work on the future M3 hasn’t begun, but an inline-six and a V-6 are both being considered. Expect E30-like levels of mayhem.

V6 should be the favoured choice as it's more compact and give a world of choice be it turbo or supercharged. I doubt the next 3 series will grow beyond the size it is today but reckon the choice of metal in it's construction may differ from today's car with even more use of Ultra High Strength Steels and more use of both alloy and carbon fiber.

There has been much chat about KERS, will it make it into the next range of M cars? Personally I doubt it, well at least I doubt it by the time the next M5/6 is introduced, maybe in 2015 the technology will have been perfected to make it into the M3.