[OBI_agent]

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:

2009: M models of the X5 and X6 arrive this fall with an uprated version of BMW’s twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 that bristles with 21 psi of boost, 555 horsepower, and 500 pound-feet of torque at a low 1500 rpm. A new launch-control function enables ridiculous 0-to-60 times in the low fours.

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.

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.

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.

Article

[josephr25]

Hopefully the next M3 will be lighter, and not approaching 80-90K. I wouldn't mind a V6 TT.

[Zeeman]

Originally Posted by Kampfer

Hopefully the next M3 will be lighter, and not approaching 80-90K. I wouldn't mind a V6 TT.

That's going be difficult to acheive if it's going to based on the next generation of the 3 series. Each model get bigger and heavier and offsetting the increase in mass by swapping lighter parts and compenents is going to result in a very expense M3.

[vgame64]

For the 1 series ///M, I hope they make a limited run turbo-4 CSL Lightweight version. This would be similar to the E36 M3 CSL LTW except you would have two waivers: one for no warranty and another removing all liability from BMW if you get hurt. I figure the two things adding weight are the large engines and safety features protecting drivers from meteor collision. (Too bad the E36's LTW was a failure in the US...I guess I will settle for an X5 ///M )

[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.

[quagmire]

Hell no to a V6. Inline 6's only. Come on BMW be the only automaker to stick to tradition( or better then most have ).

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by quagmire

Hell no to a V6. Inline 6's only. Come on BMW be the only automaker to stick to tradition( or better then most have ).

+1, they can't kill of the I6 for a V6. I'd rather have an I6 with a smaller power output than a V6.

[graider]

what is the advantage of an i6 vs v6?

[NewSong]

Originally Posted by graider

what is the advantage of an i6 vs v6?

Smoothness.

[Hula-Hula]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

+1, they can't kill of the I6 for a V6. I'd rather have an I6 with a smaller power output than a V6.

+1 It's not comparable, the I6 is too epic.
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BRUNETTE REDHEAD
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Penny stocks to buy
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WetAfrodita

[gamma RAY]

Originally Posted by quagmire

Hell no to a V6. Inline 6's only. Come on BMW be the only automaker to stick to tradition( or better then most have ).

that was thrown out the window once they added forced induction to their line-up

[rfrmt43]

Happiness lies not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the rmtthrill of creative effort.

[footie]

If they do chose Vee or in-line it will be all to do with packaging. Smoothness can be cured easily and I doubt there would be an output advantage of having a vee over an in-line setup.

If the choice of how the cylinders are arranged is your sole concern and reason for buying a car then you are not the right kind of person to appreciate these cars in the first place.

P.S.

I've just read the latest EVO mag just on sale today and they have run an article on the future M engines, guess what, they seem to be of the same opinion as myself that the next M3 engine will probably be a V6 because of packaging.

[southlight]

Originally Posted by footie

I've just read the latest EVO mag just on sale today and they have run an article on the future M engines, guess what, they seem to be of the same opinion as myself that the next M3 engine will probably be a V6 because of packaging.

Nobody would say BMW were just using the N54 engine that way.


Best regards, south

[warmtoes]

2900lb M version of the 1 would be oustanding. Hopefuly they'll trim the weight of the next M3 as well.

[Spec 1]

2015: The next M3 will be the “best” M3 ever... Expect E30-like levels of mayhem.

Pbbbft!!

[ArmyBimmerDude]

Originally Posted by warmtoes

2900lb M version of the 1 would be oustanding. Hopefuly they'll trim the weight of the next M3 as well.

It's still a luxury car so there's no way it'll ever be below 3000lbs.

[TK-421]

Originally Posted by quagmire

Hell no to a V6. Inline 6's only. Come on BMW be the only automaker to stick to tradition( or better then most have ).

[E90330iS]

cool!

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by ArmyBimmerDude

It's still a luxury car so there's no way it'll ever be below 3000lbs.

Unless they trim the size. Not sure if that'll happen either but you can always dream.