BMW M studying stand-alone models

Studies are underway into the first stand-alone BMW M models since the legendary M1 sports car.

And that’s right … ‘models’. Plural.

Confirmation of BMW M’s potential bespoke blitzkrieg comes right from the top; the boss of BMW’s legendary in-house tuning arm Markus Flasch.

“We are investigating M variants that may also be stand-alone, that don’t have a predecessor,” he told carsales.com.au at the recent BMW X3 M and X4 M global launch in New York.

Asked if that meant M starting a vehicle design with a blank sheet of paper rather than developing it from an existing BMW vehicle base as icons like the M3 are, Flasch replied: “potentially”.

And asked if M had sorted out which category of car it might focus on, Flasch said: “Yes, but we can’t talk about it”.

Asked how many concepts were being studied, Flasch responded: “More than one.”

Not only is Flasch, who took over as M boss late in 2018, prepared to admit studies are underway, he is also understood to be the driving force behind them.

If the car does materialise it will be an important expansion for M, which hasn’t delivered a bespoke model since the M1 appeared in 1978.

Since then, while BMW M has toyed with supercar concepts like the 2008 M1 (pictured), its bitter rival Mercedes-AMG has delivered a series of stand-alone production models, including the current GT coupe and roadster family, and the upcoming ONE hypercar.

There has been plenty of speculation about an i8-based petrol-electric supercar ever since BMW R&D boss Kallus Frohlich extolled such a car at the Paris show last year.

More recently there has been focus on an all-electric supercar.

Flasch confirmed Frohlich’s support for the M bespoke study. Asked what M’s attitude was to developing a supercar or hypercar, Flasch focussed his answer on a hypercar.

“We would love to do it … but we are part of a big company and we only do things that make sense economically and are relevant for the brand.

“So far M is the strongest high-performance brand and we did not need a hypercar. So from a brand perspective it is not needed, M is strong as it is.

“Economically, hypercar projects are always difficult and so the pre-requisites to turn such a project into reality are obviously very difficult, but I would not rule it out.”

Asked whether a supercar would be an easier project to greenlight, he made the point that M already builds cars with supercar performance, such as the upcoming BMW M8.

“Where do high-performance cars end and supercars start?” he asked. “We are actually playing in area with our high-performance cars that others need mid-engine and two-seat platforms for.”

Just what M might come up with is said to be some way from being finalised.

One M source familiar with the study said multiple body styles were being considered as well as a number of drivetrains from pure internal combustion to pure electric.

“We are in a very early phase of this so we have several variants in mind,” the source cautioned. “We are in a thinking phase.”

Whatever the final form or forms of any bespoke M models, Flasch said there were some attributes that would have to be achieved to warrant the M badge.

“It has to fit our character, a combination of precision, agility and luxury,” he said. “And we are not copying, we are doing it our own way.”

Intriguingly, Flasch said a bespoke M model would “not necessarily” be the most expensive model in its line-up.

Flasch rejected the suggestion that a bespoke model would help establish M’s identity, in the same way AMG has exploited them in recent years.

“M has always been a separate entity,” said Flasch. “In 2022 we will have the 50th anniversary of being an independent company. We don’t brag about it; our customers know and important for our customers is the product and the characteristics we offer.

“I am glad we are part of BMW which to me is the best OEM in the world. The shelves are full of technology; we can choose, we can pick, we can do our own thing.

“So the prerequisites for our success are there. We don’t need to brag.”