Benz Announces C Coupe Due 2011

[Red Bread]

Numerous BMW insiders, including Kay Sigler, head of the M Division have already stated that the next M3 will be a turbo six. It's not too surprising that they denied the 1M Coupe, they also denied both M Coupes/Roadsters pretty much up until they were at dealers. It's harder to deny something like the M3 that's become something of a staple.

[1BMW4fun]

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

I don't care what MB does. The car in discussion will be another AMG with 500lbs and very strong hp, but it will more than likely not have soul. It'll basically be a German luxury American muscle car.

I giggle a bit every time I read about the "soul" term.

[footie]

Originally Posted by Ti335

There is no way the M3 is going to get a V6 engine, unless BMW switches from i6 to V6 across the model range, which is highly unlikely. Also, there is no point in developing a new turbocharged 6 when you can simply take an existing V8 and tune it for less boost (which would not only reduce developing costs but also result in less turbo lag and increased long-term durability).

I don't know how you can make such a bold claim that M-Division wouldn't develop an engine entirely separate from the rest of the range. I'm pretty sure the S65 and S85 weren't available in anything other than an M. Another thing, simply reducing the boost on the S63 from the X5/6M would also reduce the ability of the engine to rev well, not the kind of engine one would expect the next M3 to run IMO.

Would it not be wiser if cost is a concern to cut two cylinders off the S63 instead, making it a v6 with 3.2-3.3L capacity and give it a higher state of tune to develop 450+hp.

[BMW269]

Originally Posted by footie

Would it not be wiser if cost is a concern to cut two cylinders off the S63 instead, making it a v6 with 3.2-3.3L capacity and give it a higher state of tune to develop 450+hp.

No, because it would be a 90° V6, but a "good" V6 would be 60°. I6 is perfectly balanced, what is not the case of V6.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by stingray23

"but it will more than likely not have soul"..........lol yeah ok..whatever that means..

Originally Posted by 1BMW4fun

I giggle a bit every time I read about the "soul" term.

Yeah, like a mass produced car has some sort of essence. And even cars with 'character' pretty much left the scene many decades ago.

[lyndon_h]

Originally Posted by stickypaws

Yeah, like a mass produced car has some sort of essence. And even cars with 'character' pretty much left the scene many decades ago.

Are you suggesting that mass produced cars with soul left mass production decades ago? If so, I suggest you go drive a S2000 or a 987 Cayman S and report back. Or how about an M3 or FD RX7? I wish i could give you more examples (mainly more recent ones), but I admittedly don't drive many cars.

While I agree that many cars do not have "soul", we aren't talking most cars. If we were, we'd be talking about Honda Accords, Toyota Camry's or Ford 150s. We are talking about a 70k sports sedan/coupe, that will probably be produced from the makers in house tuning division. I don't think its too much for us to ask that the car have "something extra" rather than just a big motor.

[stickypaws]

Originally Posted by lyndon_h

Are you suggesting that mass produced cars with soul left mass production decades ago? If so, I suggest you go drive a S2000 or a 987 Cayman S and report back. Or how about an M3 or FD RX7? I wish i could give you more examples (mainly more recent ones), but I admittedly don't drive many cars.

Nope. Just agreeing with the others about saying a car has 'soul.' Sounds silly to say 'soul.' Sure, the BMW, the Mazda, the Honda, and the Porsche all have unique characteristics that make them fun to drive in their own respective way, but they don't have soul.

And cars with 'character' left a while ago. Not driving characteristics, but actual character. My 993 has very unique driving characteristics which aren't found in the 997.2, but it doesn't have the character of a 911SC. My Austin Healey Bug-Eye Sprite had character. Actually it was a character.

[Boost Gomez]

So many dumb statements in this thread.. Too many to quote.

[ghosthi32]

Originally Posted by Boost Gomez

So many dumb statements in this thread.. Too many to quote.

[scott@bmwhn]

...does this mean Popeyes' fried chicken doesnt have soul either ....thanks for ruining my day guys..