narvselius

Kay Segler, head of the M-division has been interviewed by Swedish auto, motor und sport. And while Iceman is looking for the German magazine, the rest of you get the slightly polished Google Translate version below:

High performance in any environment optimizes, what is really the future of M-cars?
Good, thanks. We can see M as a separate, strong brand within the BMW and the demand seems to increase rather than vice versa. M models have all the genes from BMW in general and particularly from motor sport, which is one of the cornerstones of the brand.

You have just backed away from Formula 1 and threatens to jump the WTCC. What's happening?
We have always seen motorsport as important. BMW participates in many classes and championships worldwide. We have a long history in motor sport and we will always compete where there is fierce competition and it makes it in the WTCC. In particular, the WTCC has the potential to grow in the future.
Now we are competing in sports car racing with the BMW M3 GT4 actually built in the factory, among other M cars, and not at M-Sport. I can also reveal that we are currently considering building a series M3 GT4 to be street legal. Decision on a "civilian version" of the M3 GT4 taken soon.

Generally, what gives racing? Can you pass on details from racing cars to street cars?
Yes, except for some component tests on motor side we get lots of experience with chassis settings that we can use when we match the design or Chassis. We test both our racing cars and production cars on the north curcuit of the N?rburgring and experience from being built into all M-cars.
I can take some other examples: the crankcase in several of our engines are cast in the same factory that makes crankcase to our race engines, which use knowledge from the racetrack. And we have carbon fibre roof in M3, also developed for racing cars before it was incorporated in the street car production.

How many M-cars are sold each year?
Last year we sold 24 000 M-cars, but I want to point out that sales figures very much depend on whether we launch new models or not. When we have new models are selling out, this year we hope the new X6 and the new X5, which will give the figures a little "boost". But competition is fierce, especially from Porsche.

We will see a cheaper, simpler M-model in 1-series?
It is difficult to combine high performance with value for money in that segment where the 1-series is available. I think it will be difficult to make a real M-model that does not cost much more than the rest of the series.

CO2-hunting, how can the M-models?
Start / Stop will also be in M-models, we are chasing the CO2 just like BMW in general. We will be the best performance of the manufacturers also for the environment. A five-liter M3 does not exist yet, but we strive in that direction and one day, we are certainly there.

Hybrids and electrification, will go into in M-models as well?
We will certainly include details such as the automotive world in general view, when it comes to direct hybrid applications, they are not relevant at this time.

Hybrid technology from F1, why not use it?
We obviously look at it but we must remember that the hybrid system in a Formula 1 car is different than what we see in standard car. It is fast and large increase in performance in a very short time, production cars have different requirements so the system can not be transferred directly. But believe me that we will benefit from the experience from F1 in some way.

Is it difficult to communicate 500-horse 3-series cars in a world crying out for 1-liter cars?
Of course it is so. But we work just as hard to reduce consumption as any other, perhaps more severely. And an M-owner can run more economical than many others, depending on driving style. It is only when the use of all power consumption increases.

Here at the Frankfurt you show a concept car with two electric motors and small three cylinder diesel engine. Is this the future of the M-model?
I would say that the technology of the concept will be used also in M-models. But how to do it is not clear. Hybrid Operation in our F1 car weighs 40 kilograms and it is very. We work really hard with the weight loss, there are major savings to be done. And in general, of course, lighter cars that consume less and above all, they become more dynamic to drive - which has always been the case for M-cars.

Brit_in_NJ

DO IT

m630

what a crap interview, m is really dead as we know it :thumbsdown:

flyingpuck

+1 I'd LOVE to see it!

pjinca

An M3 GT4 street version an further adaptation of F1 technology into M cars and M is dead? I don't get it.

skelevirus

+1 J, a 5 litre 3 series??!!

Brit_in_NJ

I think this maybe where there's something lost in translation...talking about reducing CO2 yet mentioning a 5 liter M3?

swajames

I really hope we're both wrong here, but I know exactly where you're coming from. The comment in the interview that caught my eye was this one:

"M models have all the genes from BMW in general and particularly from motor sport, which is one of the cornerstones of the brand."

When I look at the new X5M and X6M, I really do struggle to see the connection with cars like the M3, M5 and M6. That motorsport DNA is clearly evident in the M3 through M6, but I just don't see it in the new M SUV and SAV.

m630

its the in between writing that worries me, just like you. Im quite concerned for the direction as my often rants point towards

m630

well its contradictory speak from Mr K, F1 tech is basically dead now that they've pulled out and chaged philosophy, and the chances we'd ever see a GT4 M3 in the US are about 0%, imho...remember, they dont ship the rarest or rawest cars in the US...we dont get true CSLs and we dont get Competition editions...if they were to do a GT4, we'd just have to drool from our shores, not to mention the cost would be beyond prohibitive for what we'd get. todays GT4 is EUR120.000,00 or roughly $180K USD...yes i luv it but no id not spend that type of coin on an M3....besides, who knows what will happen in the next gen of the M3, they say its going to be a 6 cyl turbo, how that works out to a GT2 and GT4 car is anyone guess, but least of all likely to make it to a street version.

How could they even make this into a street car?

GT4
Specifications:
Race bodyshell GT4, painted in alpinwhite
Carbon roof , Makrolon rear and side windows
S65 8-cylinder engine with single mass flywheel, race clutch and release bearing
optimized race exhaust system
6-speed H-pattern gearbox (series ratios)
final drive i = 3,85 with lamella differential and cooling
FT3-fuel tank system 100l
air condition system of series car
optimized suspension with adjustable ?HLINS race shocks, stiffer anti-rollbars and suspension mountings
AP racing brake system 385 mm (FA) and 355 mm (RA) with monoblock calipers
ABS race spec.
BBS rims 9,5?18” and 10?18” with Dunlop tyres
Quick-release steering wheel
Race seat Recaro Pro Racer SPG Hans and safety belt
Fire extinguisher system and necessary safety devices
Basic display with laptimer
Xenon headlight
Airjack system
Price: 120.000,00 EUR (excl. VAT)

Options:
RECARO seat Pro Racer SPA Hans 950,00 EUR
RECARO seat Pro Racer size XL 1.050,00 EUR
Deletion of FT3- fuel tank system minus tba
Deletion of airjack system minus tba
Spare engine in flight case tba
Set rims BBS 9,5?18” (FA), 10?18” (RA) 1.180,00 EUR