BMW M GmbH to Celebrate 50th Anniversary with Special Models

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by stein_325i

Doubtful. The designers have already said making retro styled cars (such as the 3.0 Hommage Concept) is a sign of brand weakness/being lost, so that won't happen

Yeah, that retro styling on the Z8 was such a failure. It marked a time when the brand was weak and lost. 2001, the worst years of BMW.

[brad850csi]

Originally Posted by DarkstarZero

Yeah, that retro styling on the Z8 was such a failure. It marked a time when the brand was weak and lost. 2001, the worst years of BMW.

Yeah the E46, E39 and E38 were all all just so bad....

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by swagon

Very good shout. And here is Markus Flasch hinting (in German) at an M-only vehicle in the very near future. After being asked if it'll be out in under five years, he responded with, "more like in half that time" so that's two years from now. I'd say this all aligns with the above quotes from lemetier.

My understanding is that he more than hints, he more or less states, with a wry smile as he says it, that a «M model only» definitely will come.
«It's not a question» to quote him...

[manuelf]

Originally Posted by Boss330

My understanding is that he more than hints, he more or less states, with a wry smile as he says it, that a «M model only» definitely will come.
«It's not a question» to quote him...

Yes sure ... the question only is, what to come from M GmbH? At the time I saw this video for the first time, I instantly thought: "Uh ... he is for sure talking about the XM - or X8M"
So this would be a real let down to me!

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by manuelf

Yes sure ... the question only is, what to come from M GmbH? At the time I saw this video for the first time, I instantly thought: "Uh ... he is for sure talking about the XM - or X8M"
So this would be a real let down to me!

That would be the ultimate letdown if that would be the case.

However, if we look at the hints from lemetier, the head of design's statements in the Supercarblondie video as well as the context of what they are talking about in that German YouTube video, it corresponds to more of a traditional M-type of car.

My guess (hope) is that it will be a special model based on a production platform, but with the P58 engine, transaxle transmission and hybrid technology. Like the test mule we saw last year at the Nürburgring.

After all, May 1st 2022 is the 50th anniversary of BMW M and the E9 3.0 CSL

[JorgenM]

Isetta M-version, please!

[BMWGirlFL]

Press releases seem to confirm at least 2.

Markus Flasch kündigt schon jetzt „ein Jahr voller Überraschungen“ an: „Wenn ich das Stichwort Sondermodelle nenne, wird wahrscheinlich schon klar, worauf sich unsere Kunden zum Jubiläum besonders freuen können.“

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/deuts...e-ausgeliefert

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Boss330

My understanding is that he more than hints, he more or less states, with a wry smile as he says it, that a "M model only" definitely will come.
"It's not a question" to quote him...

Don't understand the last sentence but we're saying the same

[TheStanman]

Originally Posted by Mako

And will most likely be the last non electric/hybrid.

All the people complaining are stuck in the past (not saying it's a bad thing) but the truth is sticks have been dying for years, small fraction of sales are manual transmission now, sports cars and super cars. Gas engines are next to die and it's coming quicker than people think. Look at Mercedes, Audi and Porsche will be next and I bet BMW is last to fall of the Europeans. Jaguar and Volvo already said they are going all electric sooner than later.

Audi and Mercedes are definitely fully embracing the future of vehicles. Porsche is taking a dual-pronged approach, making the best driving EVs and "old-school cars" (NA, dual-clutch/manual, minimal weight gain). I feel like BMW is kind of floundering in the middle, doing neither side particularly well.

Their EVs are subpar, largely because they're not investing in dedicated EV platform. And they've alienated the "old school" enthusiast offerings due to numb feeling cars, big weight gain, and abandoning bespoke components like DCT. I do appreciate the manual but that's mostly just a carry-over.

It's going to be really interesting to see how all this plays out over the next decade and what approach is most successful.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by kyleb350

Would be cool to see the old CSL M stripes, mesh wheels, or even the big rear wing

1972 -2022

The early years, featuring Jochen Neerpasch (what a ///Man). About the colors: 02:00-02:50 (note: for sure he meant "the Bavarian colors" instead of "the Bahrein colors"):

The only marketing back then: show up at a race track and give it the beans. How the car performs is what matters in the end + form follows function (rather than form follows marketing):

Some more throwback trivia:

"Why is the later 3.0 CSL sometimes referred to as the "Batmobile"?
In addition to the standard front airdam and rear spoiler, 3.2-liter CSL models could be fitted with a removable "racing kit" consisting of an air guide mounted above the rear window and an enlarged rear spoiler, both designed to increase downforce on the competition machines. The addition of these rather striking appendages resulted in the nickname "Batmobile". Because these items were required on the road version for homologation purpose but could not be installed at the factory due to a conflict with various European laws, they were supplied as the removable kit."
(source: here)

"The BMW 3.0 was powered by a 3.0 liter six-cylinder engine that produced 180 horsepower. Displacement size was increased to 3.2-liters beginning in 1973, though it still retained the '3.0 CSL' name. Neerpasch and Braqungart improved the vehicles downforce by adding a deep front air dam, increased the fenders, and added a trunk-lip spoiler. A very large rear wing earned it the nickname, the 'Batmobile' The cars did not leave the factory with the wing since they were illegal for road use. The company sold the vehicles with these accessories enclosed in the trunk of the car. They were not installed on the vehicle as they left the factory, but left up to the customer to assemble. In this fashion, the company was able to side-step the homologation process."
(source: here)

The removable "racing kit":

[Boss330]

Originally Posted by swagon

Don't understand the last sentence but we're saying the same

Was perhaps a bit unclear.

The quote «It's not a question» was his response to if there will be such a special model. Meaning it wasn't just a case study, but that there was a firm decision to make the car.

[ABenLauda]

Suuuuuuuuure. The best BMW's gonna do is a flashier upholstery, more <insert "special" edition name here> badges, +20-25k$ increase in sticker price, a few "individual" (loud skittles) colors and a N'ring embroidery on the headrest and a few more places.

Most importantly, no performance upgrades whatsoever!

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Press releases seem to confirm at least 2.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/deuts...e-ausgeliefert

When he says "Sondermodell(e)", I think he means "CS" and/or "CSL", not "totally bespoke crazy M car like the M1".

So my guess it there will be the "M only" X8M, and the (foreseen by yngoldyn) CSL (M4 based I guess? Or maybe M8?), possibly with the P58 and additional racing goodies as hinted at by Lemetier.

That would already be much more than "just some new exterior colors and interior stitching with a 20k markup", but I have to admit that this could just as well be a "Sondermodell" (and a letdown), let's see.

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by lemetier

The 50th Anniversary of Bmw ///Motorsport and launch of the E9 3.0 CSL is May 1, 2022.

Originally Posted by lemetier

How does BMW ///M 3.0CSe sound?

Originally Posted by ynguldyn

• M4 CSL is possible with SOP 07/22 and a very short production run.

So, for 2022 a CSe for the wealthy few and a CSL for the mere mortals ?

BMW M boss Markus Flasch recently on Instagram:

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by BMWGirlFL

Press releases seem to confirm at least 2.

https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/deuts...e-ausgeliefert

Here's the official English version (source: here):

With this setting of agenda with which the “Power of Choice” strategy has been realised within the model range of the BMW M GmbH, and an exceptionally strong product range, the company is heading full of optimism for the forthcoming anniversary year. 2022 will be the year in which the BMW M GmbH celebrates 50 years of its existence. Markus Flasch has already announced “a year full of surprises”: “If I mention the keyword special edition models, it should be clear what our customers can look forward to during the anniversary year.”

[Artemis]

Originally Posted by JorgenM

Isetta M-version, please!

Here you go: take an Isetta, add some M livery and M badges + charge the "M tax".

[swagon]

Originally Posted by Artemis

1972 -2022

The early years, featuring Jochen Neerpasch (what a ///Man). About the colors: 02:00-02:50 (note: for sure he meant "the Bavarian colors" instead of "the Bahrein colors"):

The only marketing back then: show up at a race track and give it the beans. How the car performs is what matters in the end + form follows function (rather than form follows marketing):

[/IMG]

Also highly recommend this documentary. Saw it in 2015 in the cinema. It's available on Vimeo for a few quid.

[paquet]

Originally Posted by VChenz

Gaudy interior like the Jahre and unwanted headrest embroidery for an ungodly sum I'm sure

Brother from another mother.

The amount of M badging and general gaudiness in the M's is just a turn-off.

As an example, the M5 should be this super luxurious stealth road rocket barely discernible from a regular 5 on the outside - except for 3 things (quad exhaust tips, the side marker lights, and the M5 logo).

Instead, it seems to be something that has an insane amount of gaudiness (red paddle shifters, red ignition button, really?) and M logos plastered everywhere (case in point, the new M5 has illuminated M5 badges just below the headrest - wtf seriously why?)

<end rant>

[MachinesWithSouls]

Originally Posted by packet

Brother from another mother.

The amount of M badging and general gaudiness in the M's is just a turn-off.

As an example, the M5 should be this super luxurious stealth road rocket barely discernible from a regular 5 on the outside - except for 3 things (quad exhaust tips, the side marker lights, and the M5 logo).

Instead, it seems to be something that has an insane amount of gaudiness (red paddle shifters, red ignition button, really?) and M logos plastered everywhere (case in point, the new M5 has illuminated M5 badges just below the headrest - wtf seriously why?)

<end rant>

People that spend 100k on a car don't always want subtle.

That being said, the F90 isn't bad - park one next to an M Sport 5 series and I doubt most people would know the difference.

[MParallel]

An another limited edition model. Just what we needed.

BMW is of cars what Panerai is to watches.

[DarkstarZero]

Originally Posted by packet

Brother from another mother.

The amount of M badging and general gaudiness in the M's is just a turn-off.

As an example, the M5 should be this super luxurious stealth road rocket barely discernible from a regular 5 on the outside - except for 3 things (quad exhaust tips, the side marker lights, and the M5 logo).

Instead, it seems to be something that has an insane amount of gaudiness (red paddle shifters, red ignition button, really?) and M logos plastered everywhere (case in point, the new M5 has illuminated M5 badges just below the headrest - wtf seriously why?)

<end rant>

In my opinion, they should either go full M Mode like the 3.0 CSL, make it a batmobile with decals. Or go full sleeper like the e39 M5.





Instead BMW M has been doing this in-between thing where they can't make up their mind on anything except that they want a bigger grill because someone said the Chinese like that sort of thing. They're wrong.

[BMthusiast]

Originally Posted by MachinesWithSouls

Why would you say this? Because you don't like the way it looks? What if I do? Looks are so subjective it seems silly to complain about it.

And regardless of how it looks, I'm 100% positive it blows the F80 away. It's a real M3, trust me.

I gotta completely disagree until the DME lockout is figured out. Once tuners can get the G8x's S58 unlocked then yeah F8x will be a thing of the past. Until then I'd take a tuned F8x over a locked G8x all-day.