When the BMW 8 Series was first announced, fans had visions of a 911-fighting coupe that its predecessor, the 6 Series, never was. The reason for that wide-eyed optimism was the 8 Series’ spec sheet. It’s shorter, wider and lower than the 6er, while also more high-tech and based on a more dynamic chassis. So it was assumed it’d be closer to a 911-fighter than the old car. However, in reality, the 8 Series is more of a big, luxury GT, to the chagrin of many enthusiasts. If you’re one of them, there might be some room for new optimism, as BMW’s design boss recently made a remark regarding a 911-fighting 6 Series to slot underneath the 8er.
According to this new report from Autocar, Adrian van Hooydonk recently spoke about a potential 911-fighting 6 Series. “It’s a nice idea. Maybe we should work on that!” Obviously, that’s barely a guarantee. Hell, it’s barely even a realistic expression of interest. Having said that, we’ve seen this sort of thing happen before, where public demand grows and BMW ends up making something it said it wouldn’t.
If BMW were to go down this route, it would be in a great position to make something truly special. It already has a brilliant chassis, in the CLAR platform that underpins everything from the 3 Series to the 8 Series. It also has brilliant engines and serious handling tech. So developing a new 6 Series to take on the famous Porsche likely wouldn’t be all that difficult. The know-how and capability are all there. The only question is demand.
Renderings by Giom
With sports cars slowly dying ff, it’s not likely BMW creates yet another expensive one just to take on the 911 more specifically. However, crazier things have happened and Hooydonk didn’t shut the idea down. So there’s a possibility, albeit a microscopic one, that a new 6 Series could debut to take on the might Porsche. At least one can dream.
If such a car were to exist, what would it be like? Well, it’d be a two-door car that sits in between the 4 Series and 8 Series, in terms of size. It would also have no larger than a B58/S58 engine, as the 911 only has six-cylinder engines. It could even have a manual gearbox. Oh how enthusiasts would feel if such a car were ever to be made.
While I hate being a downer, I have to throw cold water on that idea. BMW just isn’t going to be making such a car any time soon. If anything, there’s more of a chance that a Cayman-fighting bespoke BMW M car will be made that a 911-fighting 6 Series. But instead of that, the M Division is building a monster SUV-Coupe, in the X8. So the idea of another 6 Series designed specifically to do battle with Porsche is a lovely one but also one that is barely realistic, unfortunately.
If BMW were to create one it should really be named a Z6 or Z8 rather than an 8 series. But BMW has shifted focus on sales. A small sports car wouldn’t sell enough to be worth it. The Z4 will remind BMW of that.
A lot of old, rich people drives 911 not because they want to go 0-60 under 4 seconds, their heart cannot take it. They drive 911 because:
1. small – easy in and out of parking, or garage. Old people cannot see the lines anymore.
2. coupe – no kids, only dog, they only need two seats.
3. prestige – it’s expensive, shows their status
However, they hate having to squat down and squeeze in, their knees cannot take it.
So if BMW (or MB) can figure out a 911 size coup, pack with all the 7 series (or S550) tech, easy to get in and out, but not bumpy like SUV, unique styling, and sell it for 100K+, all the rich old people will flock to it.
I am one of those old people…
The Mercedes AMG GT is their 911 competitor. I would love to see BMW M make a bespoke model, that could in a sense go against the 911, but I doubt BMW will ever do anything like that.
I wouldn’t hold my breath on this, BMW has been playing it a bit too safe while their competitors have been coming out with truly compelling cars.
Why would BMW need a 911 fighter when they already have M4??
Plus, I see 8er as a replacement of 6er.
Exactly! And they already announced that M4 GT3 will be the next Motorsports car so for sure, they wont make something “above” that as a series car. Because the motorspports car somehow represents the “best” series sports car in the lineup usually. I guess the next M3/M4 will be so close to a 911 anyway that Porsche should rather be scared of it. Maybe not in terms of prestige yet, but that could change slowly…
If there will be an i8 sucessor, this will also be a rather special car as they will definitely learn from the current one, which is already magnificent! And many customers buy it because its not just a 911 copy from BMW, they buy it because its special!
Why would Porsche’s 911 division be ever scared of M4 which is in the segment of Cayman/Boxster and hasn’t dented Porsche’s sales there?
Because it might kill it on the track ;)
Cayman is M2 level btw!
True
M4 is not a 911 fighter. Goodness sakes man, you really think buyers of 911s think or care for the existence of M4? They’re not in the same segment.
BMW too scared to make something in that division, out of their depth. it wouldn’t compete with
just the 911 but other bespoke coupes, sports cars
This comment is like saying NASA can’t launch any more space craft. They’ll be out of their depth.
In my opinion BMW could easily realize it with a proper Z4 M Coupè. This would be the ideal base, not the much heavier 5/6 series platform. But BMW has left over this segment to Toyota’s Supra.
No, it wouldn’t, sorry. Z4 is a compact roadster sportscar. 911 is a premium/luxury super GT. They’re both cars but they’re not the same type of car.
This kinda experiment from such a big giant is not like a surprise for me. It is only because they just wanted to know their depth otherwise there was no need to launch this model after having a beast & beauty combination like M4.
Nice render pictures, Giom.
Thanks mate!
“With sports cars slowly dying ff” – wtf? Porsche and Ferrari would love to have a word with whoever thinks that.
Beautiful. I have owned my 911’s and now with a Panamera. I would but that!