A BMW Supercar
Discussion
Head of BMW's M-Division says he'd like to mimic the sort of things Audi and Merc have done and have a true supercar at the top of the tree... but says it's too expensive. In my view, BMW are a boring brand these days. Yes they have some excellent cars, very effective, but they could do with experimenting with something passionate, desirable, ridiculous. Instead they just waste money sticking hatchbacks on saloon cars and creating rubbish soft-roaders and MPVs. The range is bland, too large and needs a serious cull, and then add something like this. Just have a look at the 2-series active tourer!! They're just too serious. Sure the new i range is cool because it's new and effective... and everything, but it's just not quite what i am talking about.
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/89061/bmw-m-would...
http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/89061/bmw-m-would...
lauda said:
Blown2CV said:
In my view, BMW are a boring brand these days.
i8 not interesting enough for you? I even think that the i3 is 'interesting'. Far more so than 95% of the cars I see on the road. 
lauda said:
But isn't the i8 just an M1 for the 21 century? The times are a' changin' and I actually think BMW are ahead of the competition in that respect.
it's not really being presented as such, and i don't think it's being received as such. £100k is not to be sniffed at, but do you know anyone who has said wow! i really want one of those new i8!! I dunno, I am prepared to admit if I am wrong, but i just can't see the i8 as that type of car. It just kind of looks like a more swoopy 3 series inside, very BMW, greys and blacks, doesn't look like more luxurious materials. The i8 is hardly beautiful outside either, as modern as it is. The 6 series is more desirable to me, and looks more prestige, and a supercar that is definitely not.
In time, maybe, but with the current culture change of moving from Diesel/Petrol towards electric and other fuels, that is where a lot of the R&D budget goes.
The i8 is very much a car to show what can be achieved, rather than a focus of where to move. i8 customers will probably be the least loyal to the brand, with a large stake of owners expecting to move them on within the first year alone.
The likes of the Active Tourer, and all the new 3 pot diesels and FWD layout's are existing times for BMW. I do fully understand it's not the petrol heads ideal, but it's opening up the BMW brand to a much larger audience. These products are not typically not going to be bought by existing BMW folk, but a stepping stone to enter into the brand.
People like us on PH represent such a small minority of the market, and ultimately being a profitable business is about creating products the majority of customers want.
We will have the likes of the M2 next year which will be a peach of a car; and IMO, probably the pick of the whole range.
But in answer to your question, supercars are a hard, costly market, without a huge customer market. They've never had cars to rival the likes of Ferrari etc., and the original M1 was again similar to the i8, in showing what can be done.
Obviously with the new head of the M division will bring a new view point, but I personally can't see a supercar on a list of important things to do.
The i8 is very much a car to show what can be achieved, rather than a focus of where to move. i8 customers will probably be the least loyal to the brand, with a large stake of owners expecting to move them on within the first year alone.
The likes of the Active Tourer, and all the new 3 pot diesels and FWD layout's are existing times for BMW. I do fully understand it's not the petrol heads ideal, but it's opening up the BMW brand to a much larger audience. These products are not typically not going to be bought by existing BMW folk, but a stepping stone to enter into the brand.
People like us on PH represent such a small minority of the market, and ultimately being a profitable business is about creating products the majority of customers want.
We will have the likes of the M2 next year which will be a peach of a car; and IMO, probably the pick of the whole range.
But in answer to your question, supercars are a hard, costly market, without a huge customer market. They've never had cars to rival the likes of Ferrari etc., and the original M1 was again similar to the i8, in showing what can be done.
Obviously with the new head of the M division will bring a new view point, but I personally can't see a supercar on a list of important things to do.
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I agree with you that BMW could do with a supercar to raise the profile of the company.
However when buying a car, the fact Audi make the R8 doesn't make me desire the A3, or make me think the A3 will be a great car as they make the R8.
You have to take each car on its own merits. BMW still make some of the best driving cars in their class.
However when buying a car, the fact Audi make the R8 doesn't make me desire the A3, or make me think the A3 will be a great car as they make the R8.
You have to take each car on its own merits. BMW still make some of the best driving cars in their class.
i realise they are probably making a lot of money by making people carriers, mum wagons, old people cars and things like that, but it's not really staying true to the brand. They're meant to be a petrolhead marque and they are chasing down anything but. They seem to be sacrificing integrity to build complete euroboxes, spending money developing subtly different variants of small and medium white goods. They've showcased their technical prowess with the i range, great. Now they could do with showing the car world they actually give a s
t. Even their marketing emails are dull, so dull.
t. Even their marketing emails are dull, so dull.Blown2CV said:
BMW's range is bland, too large and needs a serious cull
Better keep away from the Audi shop then! One car in 28 sizes - even their supposed sportscar looks just like the SUVs.BMW i8 on the other hand....
And I'm rather fond of the 4-series too. Much more elegant than the clumpy old 6-series coupes.
Blown2CV said:
i realise they are probably making a lot of money by making people carriers, mum wagons, old people cars and things like that, but it's not really staying true to the brand. They're meant to be a petrolhead marque and they are chasing down anything but. They seem to be sacrificing integrity to build complete euroboxes, spending money developing subtly different variants of small and medium white goods. They've showcased their technical prowess with the i range, great. Now they could do with showing the car world they actually give a st. Even their marketing emails are dull, so dull.
HEY! I send/make those emails!t. Even their marketing emails are dull, so dull.TheCarFather said:
Blown2CV said:
i realise they are probably making a lot of money by making people carriers, mum wagons, old people cars and things like that, but it's not really staying true to the brand. They're meant to be a petrolhead marque and they are chasing down anything but. They seem to be sacrificing integrity to build complete euroboxes, spending money developing subtly different variants of small and medium white goods. They've showcased their technical prowess with the i range, great. Now they could do with showing the car world they actually give a st. Even their marketing emails are dull, so dull.
HEY! I send/make those emails!t. Even their marketing emails are dull, so dull.
no offence. They are very informative. Maybe I am missing the point and BMW is meant to just be the epitome of seriousness.What BMW need is
Supercar
RWD
LSD
Manual / DCT
Mid engined
High revving NA V12 with 9000rpm red line with 130bhp per litre as per Ferrari 458 Speciale
Sub 1300kg
500-600bhp
Active aerodynamics
Brakes
Front 6 pot
Rear 4 pot
Carbon ceramics standard
BMW will probably never have brand appeal of Ferrari, Lamborghini so supercar sales would be tough
The m1, z8 never sold well when new
However, would be great to see what they can do when they really put their minds to it
Supercar
RWD
LSD
Manual / DCT
Mid engined
High revving NA V12 with 9000rpm red line with 130bhp per litre as per Ferrari 458 Speciale
Sub 1300kg
500-600bhp
Active aerodynamics
Brakes
Front 6 pot
Rear 4 pot
Carbon ceramics standard
BMW will probably never have brand appeal of Ferrari, Lamborghini so supercar sales would be tough
The m1, z8 never sold well when new
However, would be great to see what they can do when they really put their minds to it
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