M Boss Kay Segler interviewed about M future

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by erhanh

isn't BMW already considering FWD 1 series?

They are doing more than considering it - they are planning to build them. But it will just be the GT and maybe an MPV. The upcoming F20 hatchback is still RWD, and the F22 coupe and F23 convertible will be too. By contrast however, there will be no RWD minis.

[Sedan_Clan]

Originally Posted by Serious

Hey it's not his fault that customers (you guys) continue to gobble up the fattest most automatic laden cars. The Mx6/Mx5 have exceeded sales expectations and the sales of m3's and m5's continue to go up as weight continues to increase, automatic gearboxes are available, and driver involvement is eroded away... all the while cars like the z3M coupe, z4M coupe are sales failures and the 1M is lambasted on every forum for being not a "real" M car.

Why would BMW focus on focus on building lighter cars? Because some geeks on the internet asked them to? The sales data shows it doesn't matter what they do as long as the car has the M badge, rips off a couple 4.3sec 0-60 runs, and wins a few magazine comparos... you guys will buy it in droves.

He didn't kill M, you all did. If BMW put a 2700lb 4 cylinder 200hp car out nowadays... you would all laugh at it, and say it isn't a "real" M car.

BRA...VO! You hit the nail on the head!

[mdeauto]

Future M cars will experiment emission reduce between 25%-30%. This exciting!
Why you don't change your mind and buy an M car based on this acchievement?

[SenorFunkyPants]

Originally Posted by shift@red

I can only imagine what a CGT would pull with cup tires.

I can't imagine it could get the Cup tyres to give up significantly more grip than the CSL could.

The Cup tyres also show as an advantage in braking...Still the Std M3 puts up a got show against some better "braked" competition.


M3 E92, 245 front/265 rear,cups, 1640kg.
Singel piston calipers,
360/350mm rotors
100-0 cold: 34,1 m = 11,3 m/s²
100-0 warm: 34,3 m = 11,3 m/s²
200-0 warm: 133,9 m = 11,5 m/s²
22 degree outside, 28 degree.
------------------------------vs----------------------------
Gallardo Superleggera 235 front/295 rear,Corsa r-compound, 1528kg full
of fuel.
6 piston calipers, 380/380mm rotors, karbon-keramik
100-0 cold: 34,4 m = 11,2m/s²
100-0 warm: 33,8 m = 11,4 m/s²
200-0 warm: 149,1 m = 10,3 m/s²
20 degree outside, 24 degree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
CSL, 235 front/265 rear,Cup, 1421kg full of fuel. Cups.
Singel piston calipers, 345/328mm rotors
100-0 cold: 33,0 m = 11,7m/s²
100-0 warm: 32,4 m = 11,9 m/s²
200-0 warm: 129,7 m = 11,9 m/s²
26 degree outside, 34 degree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano F1, 245 front/305 rear, Pirelli P zero street
tire, 1748kg full of fuel.
Multi piston calipers and karbon-keramik rotors(brakit kost 16000 Euro)
355/330mm rotors
100-0 cold: 35,5 m = 10,9 m/s²
100-0 warm: 35,6 m = 10,8 m/s²
200-0 warm: 140,4 m = 11,0 m/s²
24 degree outside, 29 degree.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ferrari 360 Challenge Stradale
225 front/285 rear, Pirelli P Zero Corsa R-Compund,1387kg full of fuel.
BBK, 380/350mm rotors
100-0 cold: 35,1 m= 11,0 m/s²
100-0 warm: 35,4 m
200-0 warm: 140,3 m / 11,0 m/s²
-------------------------------------------------------
Porche Carrera GT
265 front/335 rear,Michelin Pilot Sport (N0), 1473kg full of fuel.
BBK, 380/380mm rotors
100-0 cold: 35,4 m / 10,9 m/s²
100-0 warm: 33,8 m
200-0 warm: 134,2 m / 11,5 m/s²
----------------------------------------------------------------------
997 GT2
235 front/325 rear,Cup tire, 1497kg full of fuel.
BBK 6piston front/4rear alu monoblock, 380/350mm keramic-rotors
100-0 cold: 36 m = 10,7m/s²
100-0 warm: 35 m = 11 m/s²
200-0 warm: 134,2 m = 11,5 m/s²
17 degree outside, 26 degree.tarmac
-------------------------------------------------------
R8
235 front/295 rear,Pirelli P zero, 1595kg full of fuel.
BBK 8piston front/4rear, 380/356mm keramic-rotors
100-0 cold: 35,2 m = 11m/s²
100-0 warm: 33,3 m = 11,6 m/s²
200-0 warm: 130,7 m = 11,8 m/s²
20 degree outside, 25 degree.tarmac

All from German Sport Auto, supertest on Nurburgring and Kliner Hochenheim, 2D logger and same driver.

[spyderco10]

I remember when the E92 M3 was first annouced, the M purists were saying this was the end of the true M3 because it would have a V8. Obviously this didn't happen and there has been nothing but praise for the S65.

[crackberry]

Originally Posted by spyderco10

I remember when the E92 M3 was first annouced, the M purists were saying this was the end of the true M3 because it would have a V8. Obviously this didn't happen and there has been nothing but praise for the S65.

i think this case is radically different. we're talking turbos here, and this violates all that is m.

[Nautik]

Anyone have any more information on a potential special edition sometime this year? Segler mentions it in this interview and a few other hints have been dropped here and there. I was hoping someone might have a bit more info... (although I don't know why I would be getting my hopes up for another matte color and special black and red seat colors....)

[southlight]

Yes, it's been confirmed that a special edition M3 is coming this Spring: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484877

Though, there aren't any more details yet.


Best regards,
south

[Nautik]

Originally Posted by southlight

Yes, it's been confirmed that a special edition M3 is coming this Spring: http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=484877

Though, there aren't any more details yet.


Best regards,
south

Thanks South!

[BMW269]

Isn't is the M3 GTS-R? Of course the best think that could be would be an M3 CSL E92 just as the M3 CSL E46. That CSL is still one of the most amazing cars, small, light, nimble, "cheap", and threats any of the big brothers: Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by Levi

Isn't is the M3 GTS-R?

No. It's pretty clear from the thread South linked to that we are talking about aesthetic modifications done by BMW Individual. At most you might see a brake or exhaust upgrade but even that is unlikely.

A production GTS-R is still very much urban legend at this point. That could change but I strongly doubt it.

[///My5UV]

Originally Posted by Advevo

Q: Where are the lightweight cars?
A: M cars are being thoroughly inspected (every screw and component) for weight reduction generally, but especially from the top areas of the cars.

Q: Will M always have the manual transmission option?
A: Depends on the car and its character. The double clutch was the decision of M and it was a good decision and we keep that as far as we can.

Q: Will customer ever have option to delete air conditioning, radio?
A: Depending on the car. GTS comes without air con and radio and you can then add it as options

Q: Every car after the E30 M3 has been heavier and the problem solved with more power. Has M lost its plot?
A: We're working on the lightweight issue, but it's an uphill battle and it's not so easy.

Q: How would an M green car look?
A: We are already in a way green - brake energy regeneration; reduce in the future the M5's emissions by 25-30%. But we will not compromise on the performance of our cars.

Fact is, they're basically stuck with whatever general design the regular production folks turn out, and they can delete the sunroof and maybe some accessories, but they're not going to make major changes to really save weight. So it comes down to alot of little cosmetic bits for some token weight savings.
Ironically, I think the drive for better efficiency across the fleet will do more for weight savings than any M division performance goals. Only when you make extensive use of weight-saving materials and design throughout the car will you see weight drop, and to do that you need to do it across the fleet.

I predict BMW will pursue these things:
Increased use of serial bus architecture for the electronic systems to eliminate multiple (heavy) cable runs across the length of the car.
Lightweight body panels
Deep-discharge batteries
Eliminate separate starter and alternator to use a single motor for generation under braking and boost under acceleration
More use of electric-driven accessories (AC, steering, water pump) to allow better efficiency, lighter weight (or at least better weight distribution), and no intrusion on the user experience during auto start/stop

In combination with turbo motors, these incremental changes will give more performance, better efficiency, and better handling than current cars across the lineup.
M division is going to need more software people.