Tuesday 19th January 2021

BMW M confirms EV for 2021

Incredibly, BMW M GmbH set a sales record last year - this year it will try to go one better

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Last year was nothing if not full of surprises, a list to which one more can now be added: BMW M GmbH set a sales record. In the 2020 fiscal year, six per cent more M cars reached customers than during the same period in 2019, for a total of 144,218 units. Some feat given the obstacles 2020 presented in selling the public preposterously powerful BMWs. Apparently Russia and Korea were big markets, with volumes up more than 60 per cent on the previous year, as well as Italy - it saw a 47 per cent climb.

BMW credits the success, predictably enough, to the "successful market launch" of the X5 and X6 M. However, it's also said that the M2 CS as well as the M Performance 3 and 4 Series models - M340i, M340d, M440i - contributed to bumper year, so that's a reason to be cheerful.

And, of course, 2021 promises to be another momentous year for M GmbH, with customers of the new M3 and M4 set to receive their cars very soon indeed. That's in addition to the M5 CS, and the rumours of a 1 Series M to take on the Audi RS3 and Mercedes-AMG A45 continue to simmer away. Oh yes, and the electric one...

That's right, 2021 will see the launch of a BMW M car without a combustion engine. "During the year 2021, the BMW M GmbH will be presenting an electrically powered performance automobile for the first time,", says the press release, the manufacturer boldly describing the electrified M car as a "completely new manifestation of the distinctive M feeling." Which is fairly substantial news, let's be honest, for a motorsport division that's made some of the finest road car engines in automotive history.

Speaking of history, BMW M celebrates a big milestone in 2022, marking 50 years since it was created. We're promised "a year full of surprises" from Chairman Markus Flasch, focusing on (unsurprisingly) special edition models. That's in addition to the M3 Touring, remember, so don't imagine the half century will be marked solely with electric vehicles and SUVs. But they're undoubtedly going to play a part in M Division's anniversary year, as today's announcement proves beyond any doubt. Just when it seemed BMW had run out of surprises...

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• BMW M2 CS | UK Review
• BMW M5 Competition | UK Review

[ntiz]

Isn’t the i4 coming this year? Makes sense there will be a quick one to rival Tesla. Charge a world more for it whilst not having to design an expensive engine.

Could be interesting but I doubt it.

[The spinner of plates]

I guess one opportunity of not having an ICE is there’s less need for a front grille...

[Ollieb7]

Oh dear, I bet the new M electric will look awful too...

interesting though that the author spins as if the new M3/4 is going to sell..?

[MountainsofSussex]

The spinner of plates said:

I guess one opportunity of not having an ICE is there’s less need for a front grille...

Came here to say the same thing. Sadly the iX shows they have no plans on winding back on huge grills just because they're unnecessary, however...

[GT119]

The spinner of plates said:

I guess one opportunity of not having an ICE is there’s less need for a front grille...

You can be pretty certain it is going to resemble the 'intelligence panel' grille on the iX...

https://www.bmw.co.uk/en/topics/discover/concept-c...

Cue more kicking and screaming from the permoffended.

[Twinair]

Ah, and so it begins... (continues)...

[Ninja59]

The that Frank Stephenson has continued to kick them over their recent designs should say everything.

[GT119]

I'd really like someone to explain to me what all the fuss is about.

It's a BMW, it's going have double kidney grilles, that you can just about bet your life on.

Three option:
1. Slim/tall kidney grilles (as seen on early BMWs).
2. Wide/flat kidney grilles over a separate mouth (done to death over the last 50 years).
3. Tall/wide kidney grilles.

Option 2 on a modern EV ends up looking exactly like the the iX3, obviously.
This is bland and unadventurous.

Therefore the only remain choice is option 3, what you see on the iX.
It's not exactly rocket science.

[NIgt3]

Hopefully it looks better than the new dung box m4!!

[kiseca]

GT119 said:

I'd really like someone to explain to me what all the fuss is about.

It's a BMW, it's going have double kidney grilles, that you can just about bet your life on.

Three option:
1. Slim/tall kidney grilles (as seen on early BMWs).
2. Wide/flat kidney grilles over a separate mouth (done to death over the last 50 years).
3. Tall/wide kidney grilles.

Option 2 on a modern EV ends up looking exactly like the the iX3, obviously.
This is bland and unadventurous.

Therefore the only remain choice is option 3, what you see on the iX.
It's not exactly rocket science.

They're ugly. Almost willfully so, like this:



If they want to do something new, fine, go ahead, but do something new that's still nice to look at. If your new thing isn't nice to look at, then don't go with that. Try something different. E46s and even E30s weren't adventurous even when new, but one in good condition can still look smart, balanced, and right even today.

Edited by kiseca on Monday 18th January 19:41

[pacdes]

The brave pill

[pacdes]

GT119 said:

I'd really like someone to explain to me what all the fuss is about.

It's a BMW, it's going have double kidney grilles, that you can just about bet your life on.

Three option:
1. Slim/tall kidney grilles (as seen on early BMWs).
2. Wide/flat kidney grilles over a separate mouth (done to death over the last 50 years).
3. Tall/wide kidney grilles.

Option 2 on a modern EV ends up looking exactly like the the iX3, obviously.
This is bland and unadventurous.

Therefore the only remain choice is option 3, what you see on the iX.
It's not exactly rocket science.

The problem is that the kidney's do not integrate with the rest of the front very well. Lexus have a large grill, Alpha and old BMW's had a portrait grill which all integrated better. I also think that if the grill was not an issue then there would be more negative comments about the bland side profile and let's not get onto the interiors. For a £70k plus car it just misses the mark. The back is nice though.

[sidesauce]

Ninja59 said:

The that Frank Stephenson has continued to kick them over their recent designs should say everything.

To me it simply says his opinion is no more valid than anyone else given the success of the M division.

[mrpenks]

Will it have those stupid bmw motorsport coloured grilles I see on those 116m monstrosities that frequent the local KFC?

[RemarkLima]

The fact M division sales is up seems to be a bit of a cheat right?

It now includes the X5 and X6 Ms, and the M440 ones and a bunch of other "warm" variants... I wonder how they compare only on the full fat M cars?

[Gary C]

Humm

An electric M car.

This will be interesting. Its the obvious next development and it won't be cheap but one day soon we will see the electric hot hatch for the poorer enthusiast.

[Terminator X]

I heard a rumour that the next model M5 will be a 1000hp EV!

TX.

[anonymous-user]

I think it could be quite fun having the first proper hardcore EV. Will have scary punch.

[Greg the Fish]

Terminator X said:

I heard a rumour that the next model M5 will be a 1000hp EV!

TX.

And it'll have a face like this.....but with two MASSIVE front teeth. The rest of the car will be f**** ugly to.

Little arms....little d*cks

[aston addict]

pacdes said:

GT119 said:

I'd really like someone to explain to me what all the fuss is about.

It's a BMW, it's going have double kidney grilles, that you can just about bet your life on.

Three option:
1. Slim/tall kidney grilles (as seen on early BMWs).
2. Wide/flat kidney grilles over a separate mouth (done to death over the last 50 years).
3. Tall/wide kidney grilles.

Option 2 on a modern EV ends up looking exactly like the the iX3, obviously.
This is bland and unadventurous.

Therefore the only remain choice is option 3, what you see on the iX.
It's not exactly rocket science.

The problem is that the kidney's do not integrate with the rest of the front very well. Lexus have a large grill, Alpha and old BMW's had a portrait grill which all integrated better. I also think that if the grill was not an issue then there would be more negative comments about the bland side profile and let's not get onto the interiors. For a £70k plus car it just misses the mark. The back is nice though.

You’re spot on. The front - well enough said - but looking at the rear 3/4 view in that yellow - it just looks horrible - fat, bloaty and not a patch on previous designs.