RE: We Want To Build A Car Says BMW M Boss
Discussion
Mermaid said:
jontysafe said:
Mermaid said:
jontysafe said:
..
I think the new twin-turbo V8, with the wick turned up slightly, in a lightweight mid engine application based on a mixture of existing and new mechanicals would sell very well and again give BMW a halo model. I know I`d consider buying one. Anyone else?
Target the MP4-12C.I think the new twin-turbo V8, with the wick turned up slightly, in a lightweight mid engine application based on a mixture of existing and new mechanicals would sell very well and again give BMW a halo model. I know I`d consider buying one. Anyone else?
And aren't Macca planning a £100k car - the MP4?
All McLaren cars are MP4 designated, save for the F1.
PhilJames said:
"We cannot just keep adding power. M is not selling horsepower; that's not what we're about."
M has always been about selling horsepower (or miss selling torque) that's all it's been about.
(apart from selling a status badge to some of course)
Yeh, nothing about great chassis, good weight distribution, rear wheel drive, great steering feedback. Just power and status. M has always been about selling horsepower (or miss selling torque) that's all it's been about.
(apart from selling a status badge to some of course)
Pierscoe1 said:
oxymoron isn't it? electric motor with "emotion" ?!?!?!??!
boo-hiss, again.
how 'bout putting all this R&D into something useful, like hybridising freight, making air travel hydro-carbon free, making all trains hydrogen-power-cell fuelled... ANYTHING else, but please just leave our poor cars alone
I agree 100%.boo-hiss, again.
how 'bout putting all this R&D into something useful, like hybridising freight, making air travel hydro-carbon free, making all trains hydrogen-power-cell fuelled... ANYTHING else, but please just leave our poor cars alone
kambites said:
marcosgt said:
Errr - Remind me again what the M stands for...?
I don't know these days. Are BMW's actual motorsport division and the road car M division still the same people? 
marcosgt said:
bobberz said:
If AMG can make a business case for their specialty car, why can't M?
Because Mercedes are richer, perhaps?M.
A well sorted naturally aspirated V8/ V10 or a smaller, more complex, more sophisticated, more expensive, higher maintenance (has to be with all that extra heat in there from the turbos)... no question for me - especially into the second and third owners.
In the long run I would be surprised if the NA engine was not more economical, taking running costs, maintenance, and the cost of developing/ manufacturing into consideration.
In the long run I would be surprised if the NA engine was not more economical, taking running costs, maintenance, and the cost of developing/ manufacturing into consideration.
Dagnut said:
bobberz said:
If AMG can make a business case for their specialty car, why can't M?
Mercedes have done pretty well with the SL and the SLR..bmw's last attempt at a Supersports ..the Z8 was pretty much kackIn addition, I don't think the Z8 ever pretended to be a supercar. Exotic, yes, but it was designed as a one-off homage to the 507, and then became limited production when it received overtly positive reception at the auto shows.
Munich said:
kambites said:
marcosgt said:
Errr - Remind me again what the M stands for...?
I don't know these days. Are BMW's actual motorsport division and the road car M division still the same people? HWA AG(separate company) do Merc's touring cars these days.
C
Indeed so "M" doesn't really stand for "motorsport" any more. It just stands for, well, "M".
That's probably not a bad thing. People often say they want a racing car for the road, but very few people actually do. Racing cars tend to be complete pigs to drive on the road, to start with (although I'm sure there's been some exceptions).
That's probably not a bad thing. People often say they want a racing car for the road, but very few people actually do. Racing cars tend to be complete pigs to drive on the road, to start with (although I'm sure there's been some exceptions).
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 25th October 08:21
kambites said:
Indeed so "M" doesn't really stand for "motorsport" any more. It just stands for, well, "M".
That's probably not a bad thing. People often say they want a racing car for the road, but very few people actually do. Racing cars tend to be complete pigs to drive on the road, to start with (although I'm sure there's been some exceptions).
Yeah, a fair comment I'd reckon. That's probably not a bad thing. People often say they want a racing car for the road, but very few people actually do. Racing cars tend to be complete pigs to drive on the road, to start with (although I'm sure there's been some exceptions).
Edited by kambites on Tuesday 25th October 08:21
E30 M3 = 'Motorsport'
E36 M3 = 'M'
bobberz said:
I don't think any SL in the last 50 years could be considered "supersports". Also, the Z8 was at least actually limited in production and is one of very few cars made since the 1960s that qualifies as drop-dead-gorgeous.
In addition, I don't think the Z8 ever pretended to be a supercar. Exotic, yes, but it was designed as a one-off homage to the 507, and then became limited production when it received overtly positive reception at the auto shows.
Your right maybe not super sports but they have history with big fast coupés..the SLS AMG is not that far of a stretch, they also gained experience from the SLR..the point being it would be a bigger jump for BMW In addition, I don't think the Z8 ever pretended to be a supercar. Exotic, yes, but it was designed as a one-off homage to the 507, and then became limited production when it received overtly positive reception at the auto shows.
It's a sad fact that supercars are becoming more and more irrelevant to more and more people these days.
Unfortunately, the purchase and ownership costs of this sort of car are beyond the great majority of us and this will only increase with social and economic pressure.
I suppose there will always be some who can and will afford them but for the rest of us even aspiring to owning a second- or third-hand example will become harder to manage (and justify?) and this will also, in turn, reduce the market for new supercars.
Even today, how many large petrol engined cars are being bought compared to more economical diesels? An ever decreasing proportion, I'm afraid.
It is a great shame that one of our most loved and enjoyed expressions of individuality is being squeezed out like this and I don't think an electric motor with a sound-box playing a decent engine / exhaust note is good enough substitute.
We can only hope that the real enthusiasts - like the M Division - can find a way of giving us the fun and enjoyment of driving in a package which makes economic and environmental sense.
it hurt me to say that!
Unfortunately, the purchase and ownership costs of this sort of car are beyond the great majority of us and this will only increase with social and economic pressure.
I suppose there will always be some who can and will afford them but for the rest of us even aspiring to owning a second- or third-hand example will become harder to manage (and justify?) and this will also, in turn, reduce the market for new supercars.
Even today, how many large petrol engined cars are being bought compared to more economical diesels? An ever decreasing proportion, I'm afraid.
It is a great shame that one of our most loved and enjoyed expressions of individuality is being squeezed out like this and I don't think an electric motor with a sound-box playing a decent engine / exhaust note is good enough substitute.
We can only hope that the real enthusiasts - like the M Division - can find a way of giving us the fun and enjoyment of driving in a package which makes economic and environmental sense.
it hurt me to say that! Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff