I will give you the AG version.
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Would you just ask Mr. Koch the following question: Given the overwhelming success of the R8, is the M division at all considering the possibility of returning to it's M1 heritage with a mid engine platform? Remind him that Edmunds believes BMW could even do even a better job than Audi with this platform and Audi has Lamborghini's R&D to fall back on.
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Creatively the Audi R8 is simply an image boosting car for Audi , outside of Germany Audi sales and products are not as yet on the levels with BMW or Mercedes-Benz. Whilst BMW are considered to be leaders it is best to lead than to follow and to concentrate on other developments that would be everlasting than a supercar.
Once of the reasons why BMW did not get involved with the SLR , Carerra GT etc was because where are they now? They where fifteen minute projects waiting for the next one to come along.
Whilst the praise for Audi and it's R8 ( I actually like the R8 but I do not see the need for BMW to have such a car)
BMW could have concentrated on a SLR supercar but instead invested their R&D budget into upcoming products and it's "Efficient Dynamics" programme which offers much more of an image boost than a fifteen minute supercar project. While the Audi is the talking point of the moment.
Mercedes have an upcoming R8 Rival as is an imminent small Ferrari. Are we still going to talking about the R8 if the Ferrari and mercedes is as good as the previews make them out to be?
Whilst there is talk of a BMW supercar and certain factions would like to do such a vehicle the priorities have changed. If such a vehicle were to be concentrated on it would not be what you expect it to be. Yes it will be fast and incredibly light but would be powered by a high capacity , efficient engine with either BMW hybrid drive or hydrogen.
Such a project would showcase BMW's leadership as they want each of their products identified with "Efficient Dynamics" which means more efficiency and more technical developments without sacrificing dynamic pleasure.
For "Efficient Dynamics" look at the M-Division this will become the pinnacle programme of BMW's "Efficient Dynamics" There is so much that can be achieved which is why BMW are more interested in this direction because as of now the rivals are barely catching up.