New CS inbound in the wake of record BMW M sales
EVs lead the charge as BMW M sells 200,000 cars for the first time - but it's the new M4 CS we really care about
BMW M sold 14.3 per cent more cars in 2023 than 2022, meaning more than 200,000 were delivered for the first time - 202,530 in total. BMW reckons it demonstrates that ‘once again additional target groups have been attracted to extremely sporty vehicles with the M logo as a seal of quality.’
It’ll come as little surprise to find an EV as the most popular M car, the i4 M50 retaining its 2022 best-seller title for last year. As an M Performance model, it perhaps doesn’t qualify as a full-fat M car to dyed-in-the-wool enthusiasts like, um, us - but it’s hard to argue with the enthusiasm of buyers. There are still M340i and M440is out there with straight sixes, don’t forget, and the incentive-rich EV equivalent outsold them. BMW is predicting another big 12 months for its electric Ms, too, with the first full year on sale for both the i5 M60 xDrive and i7 M70 xDrive. The former will also gain a wagon variant very soon.
There’s good news for fans of more traditional M cars, too, as 2024 will see the debut of the seventh-generation M5 in both saloon and Touring forms - which is pretty exciting. The M2, M3 and M4 will also be revised; following what BMW calls the ‘huge success’ of the M3 CS, an M4 version will also follow in the coming months. BMW says the all-wheel-drive model will offer more power and ‘optimised weight’. Which we’re surely all aiming for in January, though there have been enough G8x M3s and M4s now to demonstrate that sizeable mass is no impediment to awesomeness. Still no word on that CS Touring, however.
Pleasingly for a little old island, the UK is the third biggest market for M cars globally behind Germany and the USA. We do really, really love a fast BMW. And all this despite the launch of the XM! Franciscus van Meel, BMW M Chairman, added: "Not least the ongoing success of the BMW i4 M50 confirms that we are on the right track to further advance the electrification of our product portfolio and to combine sustainable drive technologies with an emotionally powerful driving experience."
(Oh, and I haven't read the article yet...... I was too disturbed........ I need to ease my way in to it!).
It also shows what happens when you start slapping M-Lite branding on more and more of your lower performance range and start counting those as M-performance car sales.
I can't wait to see an M118d in 2025.
I'll stick with my 2018 relic M4 for now though.
It also shows what happens when you start slapping M-Lite branding on more and more of your lower performance range and start counting those as M-performance car sales.
I can't wait to see an M118d in 2025.
I'm still hankering after a G82 M4 xDrive in Tanzanite Blue, and I hope to get one eventually all being well. It took me 7 years to get the F82 M4 after it launched though...so it could still be a while in fairness!
I'm still hankering after a G82 M4 xDrive in Tanzanite Blue, and I hope to get one eventually all being well. It took me 7 years to get the F82 M4 after it launched though...so it could still be a while in fairness!
I dont get the hate for these, if you avoid the frozen paints and lairy colours they look alright, they look alright in some of those types of paints as well but I prefer low key as the standard car is enough of a statement for me, it doesnt need to be bright green and have a super loud exhaust.
I still think some of the designs they are churning out is for s
ts and gigglesBut an M4 is circa 80k and the average wage is circa 35k. So car enthusiasts are a niche group and those who can afford an 80k car smaller still. The best way to boost sales is to slap the M badge on everything. The sales of the iM are I suspect company car sales it's a tax incentive rather than people wanting an electric M4 in fact i doubt they would have bought a. M4 over a diesel if the incentives were there.
Like surveys during the world cup when asking people who they hoped would win more than 50% said they don't care about football. The same is sadly true of cars.
But an M4 is circa 80k and the average wage is circa 35k. So car enthusiasts are a niche group and those who can afford an 80k car smaller still. The best way to boost sales is to slap the M badge on everything. The sales of the iM are I suspect company car sales it's a tax incentive rather than people wanting an electric M4 in fact i doubt they would have bought a. M4 over a diesel if the incentives were there.
Like surveys during the world cup when asking people who they hoped would win more than 50% said they don't care about football. The same is sadly true of cars.
I don’t really agree with slapping an M badge on things but I think a modern M440i is today’s equivalent of 330Ci Clubsport which didn’t sell in huge numbers so BMW have just changed the badging structure and it’s been very successful, nothing more.
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