Carsten Pries of BMW M: the M3/M4 S55 engine is an animal with shocking capabilities

Real Deal · 01-26-2014, 01:52 PM

Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

I am not sure if this was posted or not but I love the part at the end about what to expect about the engine. Mods I apologize if this has been posted.

While in Detroit covering the launch of 3 new M models, we took the opportunity to sit down with Carsten Pries (Director of Product, BMW M) from BMW’s M division to get a better sense of what has gone into the development of this new generation of M cars. Some of what we found might surprise you and may have you looking for a raise at work to put down your deposit on a new car.

A Focus on Weight Savings - What You Can See and What You Can't

The critics have been hard on BMW for some time about the increased size of their cars and the corresponding bloat in weight. The tides have turned with the generation and this car is our first taste of things to come in the future. The M division has refocused their efforts and set out designing this generation's M4 to match the weight of the E46 M3. They did one better and actually came in just underneath their goal. A big portion of the weight savings comes from the extensive use of carbon fiber (drive shaft, roof, trunk lid on the M4, etc) but it goes beyond that with weight savings being found throughout the design and production process.

Electromechanical Power Steering Better Than Hydraulic?

This is the most exciting news to come from our interview. Surprised? You should be. And you probably should be skeptical until driving reviews come in but what we learned gets us excited. This is NOT the EPS that you have driven in other BMWs in the slightest. This is M's version of EPS. New hardware, new software, new everything.

Pries:

I think probably one of the misunderstandings is...if you have to adapt something that is there and try what you can get out of it. Then you may be limited in your possibilities but if you consider something right from the very first moment and make it an integral part of the overall system including the steering gear box, all the components play together perfectly. For us, precision is extremely important.

The M division started with a blank slate and invested a significant amount of resources into creating a system that is a true improvement from a hydraulic system. More precise steering. Proper direct feedback. This is a completely new system and is intended to set the benchmark for how incredible an electromechanical power steering system can be. The proof will be in the driving but I am cautiously optimistic that M came through.

The New M3/M4 was a True Team Effort from Designers, Engineers and Even Financing

The M3 and M4 are very important cars to BMW and their brand and it seems like the M division was well aware they needed to bring their A game. This meant everyone had to get to work. One area that was pointed out was that even financing and purchasing played a significant role with a lower production car.

Pries:

For me, these two cars clearly show how much every single body in every area including areas like finance or purchasing. As you can imagine, as you talk about comparatively low production volume, it requires a big effort to negotiate things with your suppliers to get these masterpieces in small quantities at a reasonable price. But at the end of the day we didn't want to go way up through the sky for the price for the customer. We wanted to keep it within certain limits and this requires efforts in all areas.

I included this to put into perspective the number of people that are working to bring a car to market that we may not think of when you think about development of the car. Now, back to what you are really interested in hearing about.

Why should you trade in your current M3 and buy a new one?

Yes, we asked the loaded question of why someone should buy the new M3/M4 and there were a lot of answers but one quote really stuck out to us. It made us feel good about wha the M division is focusing on and we hope it puts your mind at ease some too.

Pries:

Its the next step in evolution. Especially if you are keen on this power to weight philosophy. If you want to have a very light car that can do things that the already dynamic and powerful previous generation M3 couldn't. Once you get into it, you will immediately realize this is the next step.

One Quote to Get You Excited

The final and possibly best quote of the interview came from another BMW representative that joined our discussion and he will remain anonymous. If this doesn't get you excited, I'm not sure what will.

Pries:

I don't feel like I'm at risk of over promising when I tell you that no one is ready for this engine. I wasn't prepared. The engine is an animal. The engine has shocking capabilities.

Also see:

BIMMERPOST Q&A/Interview with BMW M at Detroit Auto Show @ http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=934947

Needsdecaf · 01-26-2014, 02:10 PM

Animal. I love it.

Boss330 · 01-26-2014, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Deal

I don't feel like I'm at risk of over promising when I tell you that no one is ready for this engine. I wasn't prepared. The engine is an animal. The engine has shocking capabilities.

Hope he is correct on that

ixse · 01-26-2014, 02:43 PM

yes , yes, and yes

bmwluvr24 · 01-26-2014, 02:45 PM

Yeah.......that last quote made me smile! I am soooo ready to drive this car.

Real Deal · 01-26-2014, 02:47 PM

"the engine has shocking capabilities" imagine what tuners will be able to do with it.

dhoggm3 · 01-26-2014, 02:52 PM

Grrr. So ready.

E92LNGCGY · 01-26-2014, 03:36 PM

Now I really need to get it.

solstice · 01-26-2014, 03:47 PM

"The proof will be in the driving but I am cautiously optimistic that M came through."

Now, where have I heard that comment before? Oh yeah, it was me... The car,specs and comments looks promising which is cause for optimism but there are also several major changes that is cause for caution until the car can be driven and concerns either be removed or confirmed.

Savory · 01-26-2014, 04:50 PM

That last quote. Wow. I feel like they are diverting attention away from the engine when it has a possibility to be a highlight of the car. The focus of the interviews has been the weight savings, but I haven't seen much talk of the motor tech! Perhaps a surprise is in store.

19x · 01-26-2014, 04:59 PM

That's great and all, but why's there no quote addressing the fart-can exhaust sound?

Is the terrible exhaust sound also a "surprise"?

Real Deal · 01-26-2014, 05:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by camber

That's great and all, but why's there no quote addressing the fart-can exhaust sound?

Is the terrible exhaust sound also a "surprise"?

Perhaps a fix is on the way and if not an upgrade will be made ASAP by me.

Black Gold · 01-26-2014, 05:51 PM

Insert "fuk yea" pic here

Suave · 01-26-2014, 06:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Boss330

Quote:

Originally Posted by Real Deal

I don't feel like I'm at risk of over promising when I tell you that no one is ready for this engine. I wasn't prepared. The engine is an animal. The engine has shocking capabilities.

Hope he is correct on that

Yes please! I am ready to worship the new king of the block.

Bimmer4John · 01-26-2014, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KennyPowers

Insert "fuk yea" pic here

Suave · 01-26-2014, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Savory

That last quote. Wow. I feel like they are diverting attention away from the engine when it has a possibility to be a highlight of the car. The focus of the interviews has been the weight savings, but I haven't seen much talk of the motor tech! Perhaps a surprise is in store.

Really? Maybe you should read again the full press release with schematics, 3D mechanical videos, and detailed explanation of new technology. What exactly are we missing that you have a question about other than actual road impressions from owners and Press?

khanyam4 · 01-26-2014, 06:10 PM

Real deal big ups you got some good info.

swamp2 · 01-26-2014, 11:09 PM

More and more M stands for marketing. Look, the new engine indeed shows some great promise. The car WILL be 911 Carrera S type fast, certainly faster than the base model 911 (newest 991 of course). But this along with the prior "inexperienced drivers need to apply" (or whatever BS that was). I suppose 50-50 weight balance still delivers ultimate handling to (it's well known that closer to 60-40 is significantly better...).

Sedan_Clan · 01-26-2014, 11:20 PM

This car is going to rock. I hope everybody is prepared. Just gimme some more induction noise BMW. Gimme!

bmwluvr24 · 01-26-2014, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

This car is going to rock. I hope everybody is prepared. Just gimme some more induction noise BMW. Gimme!

I am ready ready ready for this thing to get delivered bro!

Sedan_Clan · 01-27-2014, 12:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phishhead24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

This car is going to rock. I hope everybody is prepared. Just gimme some more induction noise BMW. Gimme!

I am ready ready ready for this thing to get delivered bro!

You'll have yours before I will. Trail blaze for us.

bmwluvr24 · 01-27-2014, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sedan_Clan

You'll have yours before I will. Trail blaze for us.

I'll do my best, but now that I think about it, I might have a couple extra month wait because I am considering a job offer out in Hawaii. It is a PAIN IN THE ASS to get cars out there.

01-26-2014, 01:52 PM	#1
Real Deal Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 290 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	Carsten Pries of BMW M: the M3/M4 S55 engine is an animal with shocking capabilities Featured on BIMMERPOST.com I am not sure if this was posted or not but I love the part at the end about what to expect about the engine. Mods I apologize if this has been posted. While in Detroit covering the launch of 3 new M models, we took the opportunity to sit down with Carsten Pries (Director of Product, BMW M) from BMW’s M division to get a better sense of what has gone into the development of this new generation of M cars. Some of what we found might surprise you and may have you looking for a raise at work to put down your deposit on a new car. A Focus on Weight Savings - What You Can See and What You Can't The critics have been hard on BMW for some time about the increased size of their cars and the corresponding bloat in weight. The tides have turned with the generation and this car is our first taste of things to come in the future. The M division has refocused their efforts and set out designing this generation's M4 to match the weight of the E46 M3. They did one better and actually came in just underneath their goal. A big portion of the weight savings comes from the extensive use of carbon fiber (drive shaft, roof, trunk lid on the M4, etc) but it goes beyond that with weight savings being found throughout the design and production process. Electromechanical Power Steering Better Than Hydraulic? This is the most exciting news to come from our interview. Surprised? You should be. And you probably should be skeptical until driving reviews come in but what we learned gets us excited. This is NOT the EPS that you have driven in other BMWs in the slightest. This is M's version of EPS. New hardware, new software, new everything. Pries: I think probably one of the misunderstandings is...if you have to adapt something that is there and try what you can get out of it. Then you may be limited in your possibilities but if you consider something right from the very first moment and make it an integral part of the overall system including the steering gear box, all the components play together perfectly. For us, precision is extremely important. The M division started with a blank slate and invested a significant amount of resources into creating a system that is a true improvement from a hydraulic system. More precise steering. Proper direct feedback. This is a completely new system and is intended to set the benchmark for how incredible an electromechanical power steering system can be. The proof will be in the driving but I am cautiously optimistic that M came through. The New M3/M4 was a True Team Effort from Designers, Engineers and Even Financing The M3 and M4 are very important cars to BMW and their brand and it seems like the M division was well aware they needed to bring their A game. This meant everyone had to get to work. One area that was pointed out was that even financing and purchasing played a significant role with a lower production car. Pries: For me, these two cars clearly show how much every single body in every area including areas like finance or purchasing. As you can imagine, as you talk about comparatively low production volume, it requires a big effort to negotiate things with your suppliers to get these masterpieces in small quantities at a reasonable price. But at the end of the day we didn't want to go way up through the sky for the price for the customer. We wanted to keep it within certain limits and this requires efforts in all areas. I included this to put into perspective the number of people that are working to bring a car to market that we may not think of when you think about development of the car. Now, back to what you are really interested in hearing about. Why should you trade in your current M3 and buy a new one? Yes, we asked the loaded question of why someone should buy the new M3/M4 and there were a lot of answers but one quote really stuck out to us. It made us feel good about wha the M division is focusing on and we hope it puts your mind at ease some too. Pries: Its the next step in evolution. Especially if you are keen on this power to weight philosophy. If you want to have a very light car that can do things that the already dynamic and powerful previous generation M3 couldn't. Once you get into it, you will immediately realize this is the next step. One Quote to Get You Excited The final and possibly best quote of the interview came from another BMW representative that joined our discussion and he will remain anonymous. If this doesn't get you excited, I'm not sure what will. Pries: I don't feel like I'm at risk of over promising when I tell you that no one is ready for this engine. I wasn't prepared. The engine is an animal. The engine has shocking capabilities. Also see: BIMMERPOST Q&A/Interview with BMW M at Detroit Auto Show @ http://f80.bimmerpost.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=934947
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01-26-2014, 02:10 PM	#2
Needsdecaf Major General 8220 Rep 7,425 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	Animal. I love it.
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01-26-2014, 02:43 PM	#4
ixse Major 240 Rep 1,022 Posts Drives: 2015 boxster s Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: CA iTrader: (0)	yes , yes, and yes
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01-26-2014, 02:45 PM	#5
bmwluvr24 Driving Mika all over California..... 57 Rep 619 Posts Drives: 2008 E60 M5 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: San Diego, CA iTrader: (0)	Yeah.......that last quote made me smile! I am soooo ready to drive this car. __________________ 2008 E60 M5 Sepang Bronze Metallic, gloss black grills and gills, LED side markers, 12mm spacers all around, stud conversion kit, custom exhaust with Magnaflow mufflers and x-pipe.
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01-26-2014, 02:47 PM	#6
Real Deal Second Lieutenant 29 Rep 290 Posts Drives: E90 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: DC iTrader: (0)	"the engine has shocking capabilities" imagine what tuners will be able to do with it.
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01-26-2014, 02:52 PM	#7
dhoggm3 Major 271 Rep 1,287 Posts Drives: 850i C, Gated R8 5.2, E63 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Central PA iTrader: (1)	Grrr. So ready. __________________ M850i Vert with RaceChip E46 M3, Euro Headers, Rasp Pipe, Kassel Tune Alpina B8, zero performance mods
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01-26-2014, 03:36 PM	#8
E92LNGCGY Lieutenant Colonel 449 Rep 1,732 Posts Drives: F97/Q5/982 GT4 Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Now I really need to get it.
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01-26-2014, 03:47 PM	#9
solstice Major General 5504 Rep 7,075 Posts Drives: 2015 M3 6MT Join Date: May 2013 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	"The proof will be in the driving but I am cautiously optimistic that M came through." Now, where have I heard that comment before? Oh yeah, it was me... The car,specs and comments looks promising which is cause for optimism but there are also several major changes that is cause for caution until the car can be driven and concerns either be removed or confirmed. Last edited by solstice; 01-26-2014 at 03:52 PM..
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01-26-2014, 04:50 PM	#10
Savory Kaskasero 55 Rep 345 Posts Drives: You Insane Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Azusa, Ca iTrader: (0)	That last quote. Wow. I feel like they are diverting attention away from the engine when it has a possibility to be a highlight of the car. The focus of the interviews has been the weight savings, but I haven't seen much talk of the motor tech! Perhaps a surprise is in store. __________________ Rides: BSM E53 X5 3.0i \| Mods: 4.8is Style 168 wheels 1996 MB C280 Sport 2001 E39 M5
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01-26-2014, 04:59 PM	#11
19x Banned 460 Rep 469 Posts Drives: 2021 M2C Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ iTrader: (1)	That's great and all, but why's there no quote addressing the fart-can exhaust sound? Is the terrible exhaust sound also a "surprise"?
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01-26-2014, 05:51 PM	#13
Black Gold Major General 599 Rep 5,396 Posts Drives: M3 Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Texas iTrader: (15)	Insert "fuk yea" pic here __________________
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01-26-2014, 06:10 PM	#17
khanyam4 Ring Leader of G8X Trolls 830 Rep 1,781 Posts Drives: 16 F10 535i 25 xDrive G82 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: 33.7743° N, 117.9380° W iTrader: (0)	Real deal big ups you got some good info.
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01-26-2014, 11:09 PM	#18
swamp2 Lieutenant General 640 Rep 10,404 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: San Diego, CA USA iTrader: (3)	More and more M stands for marketing. Look, the new engine indeed shows some great promise. The car WILL be 911 Carrera S type fast, certainly faster than the base model 911 (newest 991 of course). But this along with the prior "inexperienced drivers need to apply" (or whatever BS that was). I suppose 50-50 weight balance still delivers ultimate handling to (it's well known that closer to 60-40 is significantly better...). __________________ E92 M3 \| Space Gray on Fox Red \| M-DCT \| CF Roof \| RAC RG63 Wheels \| Brembo 380mm BBK \| \| Vorsteiner Ti Exhaust \| Matte Black Grilles/Side Gills/Rear Emblem/Mirrors \| \| Alekshop Back up Camera \| GP Thunders \| BMW Aluminum Pedals \| Elite Angels \| \| XPEL Full Front Wrap \| Hardwired V1 \| Interior Xenon Light Kit \|
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01-26-2014, 11:20 PM	#19
Sedan_Clan Law Enforcer 26902 Rep 22,697 Posts Drives: '22 Chalk Gray Porsche C2S Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: ..in your rearview!!! iTrader: (26)	This car is going to rock. I hope everybody is prepared. Just gimme some more induction noise BMW. Gimme!
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