The new BMW M boss Markus Flasch aims to take the M division into a new era. He took over the reigns of the Motorsport department over in Munich in late 2018, but he’s already working on a number of very interesting projects. In a recent interview with Australian news outlet Car Sales, he even went as far as discussing what kind of potential bespoke or stand-alone M models could have.
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It looks like the BMW M division is currently assessing the production of stand-alone cars, models that don’t fit in any current line-up, cars that don’t necessarily have a predecessor. Think BMW M1, if you will. This sort of car would be a bold investment from BMW, considering how things are going in terms of sales right now. However, since the Germans sold over 100,000 M cars last year, it may be a profitable move.
“We are investigating M variants that may also be stand-alone, that don’t have a predecessor,” said Flasch. Notice that he used plural in that sentence. That could very well mean, a number of such bespoke M cars could be on the way. According to the article, a decision has been made on what kind of a car it will be but Flasch refused to offer more details. He did confirm that there were ‘more than one’ concepts being studied.
Possibilities are quite varied at the moment and the car could either be a hybrid, all electric or use a petrol engine alone, all three choices being weighed in. As for what we should expect from this stand-alone M car the boss of the M division said:
“It has to fit our character, a combination of precision, agility and luxury. And we are not copying, we are doing it our own way.” Furthermore, this new car could be cheaper than some would expect, as Flasch doesn’t find it has to be the most expensive model in the line-up when it comes out. That’s incredibly great news.
This is what we need! More bespokeness and uniqueness! Keep em coming!!
YESSSSSS
lol
That M1 Hommage concept is still stunning after all these years. I would have them change the front only, everything else is just perfect.
I’ll believe it when I see it. Perhaps M-Next will be the answer but I’m not going to hold my breath.
tell horatiu he can tell them people want it and they will do it
I believed it when I saw i8 & i3.
I have very little expectations of the recent M division.
They’ll probably put a mundane torque converter instead of M DCT, slap a giant M badge with “competition” written on the bottom just like the M8 and the upcoming M3.
There is a reason why supercar manufacturers continue to use Getrag dual clutch transmission. It isn’t just about the top tier response but also the visceral feel of mechanical clutch connecting in between shifts that continue to attract high performance seekers.
The quad shaft ZF 8PDK are the best ones now and have space for an electric motor too.
Then there is the truly inspired batshit crazy Koenigsegg DCT.
YES PLEASE DO IT BMW M
Since VAG haven’t come up with anything new since 1970’s 928 & Daimler had to buy AMG to compete with M, BMW still #1.
Now that they have sold over 100.000 M and M Performence cars last year and earned much money from it, hopefully they have balls enough this time to make not only 1, but 2 or 3 different dream cars for different segments with elegantly beautiful and excited design. It shouldn’t lack from good ideas, but let me help out the guys in M, to continue their fight for world domination in the sportscar segment.
1. How about BEV supercar with 1000 PS
against Tesla Roadster 2???
2. i8 next gen hybrid as 911 fighter
with 6 cylinders
(650 PS) 750- 850 Nm???
3. V8 hybrid with over
800 PS and 950 Nm as Ferrari SF90
Stradale killer ???
1.)
2.)
M8 GC is bespoke enough for me. Even M135i with 300+ hp. awd., i8., M Next.
Yes, yes, yes. A BMW halo car would be wonderful, something that could slap an R8 would be perfect
Now this looks like a BMW super car and probably has all the elements to make it one.