BMW M CEO: M5 / M6 with Optional AWD May Come in Next Generation

[bclemans]

I will give him credit for putting aside his arrogance and at least acknowledge that the market is selling high performance awd sedans like hot cakes.

Keep the weight down though - enough BS and promises about carbon fiber. But I think BMW is stuck with its hierarchy, all changes must start from the 7 series.

[BarlasaM]

You gotta grow with the market. There is a reason AMG is now using 4Matic. BMW already had a very very good performance oriented xDrive AWD system and the Performance Control system ( Torque Vectoring ) currently being used in X6M / X5M. We already know what the X6M is capable of in terms of handling...some people go as far as calling it a GTR with a suspension lift. Now Imagine the M5, which is lighter, has a more powerful engine, much lower center of gravity, can do with the same.

[capo1m]

Why not a awd car with an optional rwd button like the Sti? It still allows for awd when needed and rwd when wanted, understand the weight issue but at this rate an m5 isn't exactly a light car.. Just thinking out loud

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by yuyue

If BMW can come up something like the AWD system found in GTR, then why not?
Better all round car even for snow, and it can still slide.

Agreed. If Nissan can do it, why not BMW?

[BarlasaM]

Originally Posted by spuntyb

Agreed. If Nissan can do it, why not BMW?

They already do. Its in the X6M.

[b0bab0i]

Originally Posted by Dackelone

BMW told me that the xDrive option for the 4er only adds about 75Kg in weight to the car package. That to me seems like a very snall penalty to tick off the AWD option box.

AND... IF Audi can make their R8 handle like a RWD car... why couldn't ///M tune their xDrive version the same way. To act like a RWD car, but have the benifit of AWD when needed in rain/snow/ice. BMW now sells more cars with xDrive that AUdi does with Quattro - that is really telling.

Yet still ///M is gun shy of AWD. Doesn't anyone remember those M5 prototypes testing in the Artic a while back.

You have the sources to back this up? Quite surprised.

[Matski]

I think this was inevitable, it's probably not a bad thing, but it must be optional. The main complaint of the M6 seems to be its inability to utilise its amazing engine and drive train for anything other than erasing rear tyres!

As others have said, weight reduction is more of a concern to me, but then I'd rather get an E28 M5 anyway!

[BarlasaM]

according to BMW's official specs: weight difference between 550i and 550i xDrive is 199-lbs, 435i and 435i xDrive is 125-lbs, 2014 X5 sDrive and X5 xDrive is 110-lbs. They better figure our how to make the xDrive unit lighter, and put the cars on a diet...as it has been rumored, they they will be using a lot more Carbon-fiber, CFRP and aluminum. Like the upcoming M3/M4 .

[spuntyb]

Originally Posted by BarlasaM

They already do. Its in the X6M.

Yes, but then you have to get an X6.

[nbennettksu]

Originally Posted by nugent

this completely contradicts what he said officially just a few months ago (see: http://www.f30post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=805747) about never doing AWD in M5. next statement will be m3/m4 will also offer AWD. stay tuned.

was just looking for that thread.

Eventually, RWD may fizzle out like the manual trans

[hwelvaar]

4WD Porsches have been outselling RWD Porsches already since the previous generation.
Who would have ever imagined that 20 years ago ?

It's called evolution, and you can't escape it.

The day will come that your M is hybrid...

[johnsama86]

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

4WD Porsches have been outselling RWD Porsches already since the previous generation.
Who would have ever imagined that 20 years ago ?

It's called evolution, and you can't escape it.

The day will come that your M is hybrid...

[RiverRunner]

AWD may not be as fun, but my M6 GC can't put the power to the ground in gears 1-3 with only RWD. That's in hot summer weather, in colder weather, the rubber will have even less traction with the pavement.

[KG3356MT]

About time BMW. As long as its an option, why not? Nothing wrong with AWD being an option.

[kmarei]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

The new BMW is that they'll do anything for money and increased sales.

Get used to it.

Also known as whoring yourself out for cash

[kmarei]

Are there any more "never"s that BMW hasn't broken?
The never making an SUV M- check
Never use turbo charging- check
Never using Awd- check
Never using diesel on an m - check
What's left?

[sparkyg]

Originally Posted by kmarei

Are there any more "never"s that BMW hasn't broken?
The never making an SUV M- check
Never use turbo charging- check
Never using Awd- check
Never using diesel on an m - check
What's left?

The problem with BMW is they need to shut up and deliver instead of talking of platitudes and then going the opposite direction.

I have no problem with BMW going AWD but don't tell me you'll never do it and then do it 3 years later.

You look like an idiot without market understanding or knowing what your customers want or what the competition is doing.

[bnombe]

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

4WD Porsches have been outselling RWD Porsches already since the previous generation.
Who would have ever imagined that 20 years ago ?

It's called evolution, and you can't escape it.

The day will come that your M is hybrid...

That is true statement although most enthusiasts can't bare to believe or accept - often myself included. On the bright side, that's just more reason for me to keep my E92///M a long time! In the meantime, keep at my plan to ADD a Porsche (RWD) to my garage!

[N & M]

I love the M brand and all of its products.

It is great to read that BMW is investing in much needed R&D for the M brand. Although our friends in colder climates deserve this development, I must say that I agree with the RWD fanatic as it is the defining USP of the product.

More work should be done to refine the e-diff on the cars and improve the drivetrain dynamics to improve traction offline and achieve what other brands such as Ferrari have done vs their AWD rivals.

While they are at it, it would not hurt to go back to the E60 and rediscover the missing steering purity and adjustability that has been lost in the current generation.

[JOHNBMWM5]

Originally Posted by PackerFan

AWD may not be as fun, but my M6 GC can't put the power to the ground in gears 1-3 with only RWD. That's in hot summer weather, in colder weather, the rubber will have even less traction with the pavement.

My LCI M5 is the same, even on winter tyres the traction lights flashing up too 5th

[Stash21]

Yep it's a different car on winters performance much less usable Than my S4. Although I would rather live with the winter downside than switch to anything else perhaps with the exception of an rs6.

[hinckley]

Originally Posted by Stash21

Yep it's a different car on winters performance much less usable Than my S4. Although I would rather live with the winter downside than switch to anything else perhaps with the exception of an rs6.

+1
Until an AWD M5 comes along, it's hard to beat a M5 Summer / S4 Winter combo for northern climates.