We Interview BMWNA M Manager Matt Russell on F10 M5, M6 and Current/Next M3

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

We Interview BMWNA M Manager Matt Russell on F10 M5, M6 and Current/Next M3

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We spent some time at the 2012 Detroit NAIAS with Matt Russell, M Brand Manager for BMW North America. Matt is a BMW enthusiast like us and is a BIMMERPOST member himself. We asked Matt some current hot M related topics and he was able to share the following.

*Portions of the following answers may be paraphrased, but retain their original meaning and message.

BMW 1M COUPE

What were the final production numbers for the US 1M?
740 units. The very first one imported was the Valencia Orange 1M Pace Car which debuted at the Rolex 24 hour race at Daytona.

Matt further expanded on the reason the 1M production run wasn't extended into the 2012 model year. It was not due to any issues related to engine/emissions certification, but simply because BMW could not get enough MY2012 production to justify homologation. This had the added benefit of preserving the exclusivity and value of the 2011 1M models.

BMW M5 and M6

What is the US availability date for the F10 M5?
Unless plans change, production begins in July. The model year 2013 begins in July and we’d like to bring the MY13 M5. Not anticipating MY2012 M5 for the US. [See also recent US launch info.]

Will there be limited availability of F10 M5 in the 2012 calendar year?
It will be unlimited, but hard to get.

Will manual transmission be available on the M5 from the beginning for the US?
Yes.

Will carbon ceramic brakes be available from the start?
Maybe. Stay tuned.

Any plans for an all-wheel-drive (AWD) F10 M5?
Some people have a concern that we’re going to run into traction problems as horsepower number continues to go up and up. But this car just did a 3.7 second 0-60mph for Car and Driver [full results] on dusty Spanish roads so clearly it doesn’t have much of a traction problem. I think once we get the car tested stateside, it’ll go even faster. So we’re running out of reasons to do AWD. We're in no rush to put AWD on M cars.

Any plans for an F11 M5 touring?
No. Not here.

What is the timeline for M6 models?
This year.

Will the M6 models have more power than the M5?
These cars these days are so powerful and underrated that we’re not going to do 3 here, 4 there, 5 here. We call it 560(hp); it's a nice round number, we like it.

BMW M3 - Current and Next Gen

Are there any other special edition M3s coming before end of production for the E92/E93 M3 coupe and convertible?
You shouldn’t be surprised if we have some more. The car is not at the end of the production. We have the car until 2013 [calendar year] as a coupe and convertible. So if we have time to do some more special editions, I would be thrilled.

What is the timeline for the next M3 sedan and coupe?
There won't be a next generation M3 introduced before the current M3 coupe and convertible end of production. [Note: read together with the answer directly above, that would mean that there will be no F80/F82 M3 (sedan/coupe) prior to mid-late 2013 at the earliest.]


M Diesels

Will the X6 M50d and M550d make it to the US?
Slim to no chance.

[uhn2000]

Great info and interview! Thanks guys!

[SamS]

Nice! You guys always ask good questions to BMW NA, when given the opportunity.

[richb811]

Great Q&A! Thanks for sharing!

[dimabimmer]

Awesome summary!

[Definitive]

NOT happy about the timing for the F80 M3. I was really hoping beginning of 2013. Ugh now to figure out what to do with my lease gap.

D

[CanAutM3]

Nice interview. Short, but informative.

My favourite part:

These cars these days are so powerful and underrated that we’re not going to do 3 here, 4 there, 5 here. We call it 560(hp); it's a nice round number, we like it.

[NaNo_F1]

I would love to have his title! "///M Manager" ... I wonder if people would think you're studdering...

[k2e15]

Short and to the point... Just how I like my interviews.. Thanks for sharing

[Hedges]

Can someone translate to me when the M3 Sedan will be predicted to come out?

[DDS2015]

Good interview but I thought we already had this info :

[amirz1000]

Originally Posted by Hedges

Can someone translate to me when the M3 Sedan will be predicted to come out?

Based on this and past timelines I would say it would come out as a MY2015 in mid 2014. The last gen e46 m3 was 2001-2006, None 2007, and e9x 2008-2013. So probably none 2014 so f8x M will be MY2015-2020.

[Diver]

Good information, more transparent than usual.

[SamS]

Originally Posted by DDS2015

Good interview but I thought we already had this info :

We didn't know E92 M3 would be available through calendar year 2013.

[chris719]

Does that mean E92 and E93 M3 will have a 2013 MY and allocations past 6/12?

[SamS]

Originally Posted by chris719

Does that mean E92 and E93 M3 will have a 2013 MY and allocations past 6/12?

Sounds like it. Matt didn't sound like he was talking about a car that's going out of production in 5 months

[Mako]

BMW likes its 7 year cycles:

2001 model, count 7 years starting with 2001
2008 model, count again
2015 model

But there is a chance that could mean early-mid 2014 as a 2015 model. However I think the 2008 M3 came out in early 2008

My warranty expires August 2013, so I was also hoping for a M3 Sedan at that point but I don't think that is going to happen.

[aajami]

"CF" brakes on the M5, eh?

[PhillyNate]

Originally Posted by Diver

Good information, more transparent than usual.

All except that answer about special edition M3's. Very vague.

[FANBMWM]

When ther will be the new M6?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by aajami

"CF" brakes on the M5, eh?

Yea, lightweight and looks great! Fixed the typo, thanks.

[jraymond]

"Unlimited but hard to get" LMAO the new slogan of BMW M