- 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.
Add A Comment »
coolb944 says:
10:30 AM, 10/24/2011
I'm confused. Where did the comments about manual transmissions come from? They're not in this news post. I'd like to read the full interview if somebody can point me in the right direction.
k55 says:
09:51 AM, 10/24/2011
I would like to see an M version of the 1 series with the new 2.0 Turbo .........fabric seats, no sunroof.no leather ,no nav, no frills but with stiff everything ,spoilers and exhaust. 30-32k.
ducatimechanic says:
08:21 AM, 10/24/2011
Besides the maintenance / reliability issues (which just seem to be getting worse with both BMW and M-B), I've found that the vehicles are removing the drivers from the experience of driving.
For example: 2004 330i ZHP was not only comfortable for long trips (I drove it from Michigan to California), it also was a wonderfully tight vehicle for driving in the Sierra Mountains with confidence that later experiences with a 2007 328xi (also a manual transmission) couldn't even come close to.
When it came time for my most recent purchase, the BMWs were too full of junk I didn't want and numb to drive, the M-Bs were dull and reminded me of big American cars. Not intending to, I decided to go with Audi after taking a 2012 S5 out.
Manual transmission, AWD, 4.2 V8, and you always know what the car is doing. The engine sounds delicious, it pulls like a freight train, and yet will rev freely all day long (something my 2004 330i with the Performance Package would do, without sounding like it was coming apart).
If the 1-series came in the wagon, could be had with AWD, and the screaming turbo inline-4, I might consider buying one. As it is, the cars feel bloated, dull, and they've lost their way.
I wish I could get excited about buying another BMW, but no matter how many times I've taken one out, they just don't feel "planted" like they used to be.
paulvincent1 says:
07:31 AM, 10/24/2011
" Biermann signaled the end of the horsepower race." Sure, forget the hp. BMW's gonna sell comfort; that's what its clientele are seeking.
church123 says:
09:43 PM, 10/22/2011
@smallfield
+1 on the new head of //M comment. This guy has the wrong attitude and it sounds like he wants to turn //M into AMG. I've always respected AMG cars, but I've never wanted one like I've wanted M cars.
It seems to me like so many OEMs are missing the point these days. I don't know who they're listening too, but it isn't the enthusiast IMO.
dagmar3 says:
09:47 AM, 10/22/2011
Whatever happened to lightness being its own reward? Sure, it was the Lotus gospel, but early M cars followed that teaching. The industrial world is full of all sorts of lightweight miracle materials that Colin Chapman could only dream about.
So why not fire up those supercomputers and engineer a sub-3,000 lb. sports car we can all aspire to own?
bimmerd says:
07:54 AM, 10/22/2011
Kay Segler pushed BMW to create the 1 Series M Coupe (he probably had to settle on the terrible name to get it approved). It is, by a good margin, the cheapest inflation-adjusted M car ever. And then they forced him to build a "limited" number to keep residual values high, preventing the used market from supplying less expensive M cars to younger and less-wealthy (or more-practical) buyers. And now Kay is gone.
The Board at BMW wants the team at M GmbH to produce luxury-sports cars with high margin, even if it eventually sacrifices the M brand's overall sportiness. This was fine 30 or even 15 years ago when fuel efficiency and "gadget" standards were much lower. Now it all results in too much weight and borderline lifeless steering feel (that last one irks me a lot). If you want a status symbol, by all means go for a new M5 or AMG uber-sedan. If you want a fast car for the track and a commuter, by separate used vehicles. One will be faster at the track and the two will be cheaper to run overall, too.
pathos says:
07:46 AM, 10/22/2011
I think he realizes that the cars he has to work with from BMW are becoming fatter and fatter every generation.
That said, just drove a friend's 1M (didn't try out a track). It was significantly more fun to drive than a 335 coupe or M3 sedan for various reason, but mostly due to weight and a sense of rawness. It is harder to look at a 1M however...
sportyaccordy says:
07:32 AM, 10/22/2011
///M has lost its way.
They should have left the electronics and turbos for the soccer moms & business execs, and kept the ///M cars as raw as possible. Hydraulic power steering, naturally aspirated engines, minimum features etc. Like 911 GT3s. The brand is a mess now.
kevm14 says:
05:46 AM, 10/22/2011
I think the trend is to create a completely computerized experience that fools the driver into thinking he's got something to do with the experience. This blends right into my shift paddles argument, or artificially enhanced throttle response. The driver THINKS he's "doing great stuff" but it's just computers behind the scenes. What is he afraid of, anyway? A magazine review with a sub-par 1/4 mile? Owner complaints about their car's slower-than-expected performance? How stupid does he think his buyers are, anyway?