No fours for M... Yet

BMW M has no plans for four-cylinder models in the near future. That's the news from M Division's head of product management, Carsten Pries.

Pries told motoring.com.au that for the time being at least six-cylinder engines would be the focus of M development.

When asked if a four-cylinder car was in the brand's future Pries stated: "I hope not, because six [cylinder] is part of our DNA. Not only the power, but that hallmark sound that we have."

BMW's latest M car, the M2, features a single-turbo 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine that pumps out 272kW and 465Nm through the rear wheels. It competes in a segment against the four-cylinder all-wheel drive Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45, the quattro-equipped Audi RS3 and the soon to be four-cylinder turbo rear-drive Porsche Cayman.

Pries stated categorically that no four-cylinder engine was considered for the model.

"We always determine what kind of performance do we want for a new car and which technical alternatives we have. And for us this car, also after success of the 1 M Coupe, including the essential dimensions such as sound and the level of feedback [the driver gets from the engine, we chose a six.]"

Indeed, Pries says BMW M's default position will remain six-cylinder and rear-drive "for the foreseeable future".

"If you also look at the M performance models we have added over the last three or four years they have rear-wheel drive as the standard setting and also have six cylinder engines.

"These are cars that attract new people to the M brand [and its core models] and that is very important," he explained.

"This combination of six cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive is not just a USP in marketing terms but it is something that really attracts people to our brand. This is obviously not something you can just talk about but also something you can experience and enjoy," he commented.

Pries says in terms of future models, BMW M's growth will be a mix of 'core' M models (like the new M2) and the 'softer', less modified M Performance models.

The new front-drive and AWD-protected 1 Series is not on his radar. But the long-time M man is conscious things may change. Just not quickly!

"It depends what you get in the future as a starting point. As long as we have rear-drive drive base [models] in this segment we will [modify] them. It matches so perfectly with what we want to bring across as an experience, as a feeling...

"If the framework changes in the future, we have to look then at what we can do in terms of a [providing] a proper or decent M offer," he said.