BMW F80 M3 / F82 M4 to Debut at Detroit + Lightweight Details (via M CEO Interview)

[bplewis24]

Originally Posted by alexmtl_135i

So he kind of confirms the M2, and he seems to confirm that it won't be a 4 cylinders.

Originally Posted by W///

I guess that's a confirmation that the M2 will be I6

As a guy looking forward to purchasing an M2 in a few years, I gotta ask why you guys aren't worried by the "there's no decision yet" part of his answer? I would have assumed they already decided on the M2. This kind of worries me. Although I suppose he wouldn't tease about the M2 if it wasn't likely?

On topic, very pleased to read what has been posted here about the M4.

[qwertyb22]

I'm getting cautiously optimistic that my 335i may be a trade-in soon...

[Sapper_M3]

Originally Posted by alexmtl_135i

Not to hijack the thread but there is also something very interesting in this interview:

MT: What about below the M3 and M4?
FN: Theres no decision yet. But I absolutely want to develop a successor model to the 1 Series M Coupe. I have all the components I need the powertrain, chassis. In the near future you will know. We cant call it the M1, because that number is for the special mid-engined car, but there is M2, isnt there?

MT: What about a four-cylinder M car?
FN: Not in the near future. But its possible. Our engines are modular.


So he kind of confirms the M2, and he seems to confirm that it won't be a 4 cylinders.
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I hate to be a Debbie Downer on this, but I don't think this is at all a clear cut answer on the M2 being a six cylinder.

There are no current plans "in the near future" for an ///M four cylinder engine, but he also said they haven't made any decision on the M2 either. Sounds like they are very early in the M2 planning process, and anything could change.

In my mind, this is a wash, and we haven't learned anything new about the M2's potential engine (in fact, the ONLY thing we've really learned about the M2 from this is that ///M hasn't even made a decision on it yet).

[MCHL]

Can't wait!!!!!

[DrakeKemper]

Personally I think the M2 will have a souped up version of the 328i engine like the 1M had a souped up version of the 335i engine.

[kmarei]

I chuckled when I read this line

"We wouldn’t just do badges."

[Str8 RippiN]

Saw the F30 M3 testing on PCH by Zuma beach on Wednesday..it sounded like a vacuum and looked okay

[alexmtl_135i]

Originally Posted by Sapper_M3

I hate to be a Debbie Downer on this, but I don't think this is at all a clear cut answer on the M2 being a six cylinder.

There are no current plans "in the near future" for an ///M four cylinder engine, but he also said they haven't made any decision on the M2 either. Sounds like they are very early in the M2 planning process, and anything could change.

In my mind, this is a wash, and we haven't learned anything new about the M2's potential engine (in fact, the ONLY thing we've really learned about the M2 from this is that ///M hasn't even made a decision on it yet).

Well he did say we will hear about the M2 in the near future, and we won't have 4 cylinder M cars in the near future.

I mean yeah he did not say it, but he was pretty clear. And I don't think it would be wise to formally announce the upcoming M2 when the 235i is not yet on sale.

[gblansten]

Originally Posted by Str8 RippiN

Saw the F30 M3 testing on PCH by Zuma beach on Wednesday..it sounded like a vacuum and looked okay

F80 M3

[KG3356MT]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

i know not an m purists, but no awd? with how powerful the cars are becoming, i would have thought awd would be needed to put the traction down

I agree. I still feel that it should be an option at least. It probably will in time anyway. Money talks...

[BMWRL]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Your Valencia Z4 looks absolutely awesome.

I was thinking the same thing...

on another note, this is why BMW needs to go into these other markets that purists are so angry about, to be able to build these iconic M machines... I wish some of these so called hard core fans would just have faith. BMW knows what they are doing...

[caneaddict]

Originally Posted by needabeemer

i hear you, but the point is that i dont want to spend 60k+ on a 435i only to see that its been outdated/outdone literally 3 months later

the m4 will probably look a lot better and make me say "damn, i wish my car had that" ...it will inevitably happen to every car we choose, but at least let us enjoy our basic 4's for longer than 3 ******* months

the 5 and 6 series owners didnt see the M5/M6 for like 2+ years and got to enjoy their cars for a long time. if i buy a brand new 4 series ill enjoy it and then get teased by the M4's superior looks/tech just a few months later. and im not even talking about the performance yet. the performance is something i probably wouldnt even need but the looks/tech alone will ruin the joy of owning a "basic" 4 series and make me regret my purchase. suppose this car has a much more aggressive air breather side vent, or the LED headlights from the concept, or something along those lines?

sorry but thats a deal breaker to me, i just changed my mind about getting a 4 series over that. and now i will probably have to switch to another brand all together since im not waiting til late 2014 for a car. bmw does not know how to make their customers feel special at all.

No offense, but that is some pretty suspect logic. Every model of every manufacturer has multiple levels Audi (A, S, RS) etc. BMW isn't hiding anything, everyone knows what the variations are, choose what you can afford or value. Everyone that buys a non-M car knows there is something more appealing at a higher price. There are people that want a 7 series but can only afford a 128i - should BMW help those people feel special by canceling the rest of the lineup?

If you don't want to spend $60k on a 435 and end up jealous of the M4 then spend $85k on an M4.

[Remonster]

Originally Posted by bplewis24

As a guy looking forward to purchasing an M2 in a few years, I gotta ask why you guys aren't worried by the "there's no decision yet" part of his answer? I would have assumed they already decided on the M2. This kind of worries me. Although I suppose he wouldn't tease about the M2 if it wasn't likely?

On topic, very pleased to read what has been posted here about the M4.

There's very little chance that they would miss out on the sales and positive brand image an M2 would generate, especially after the success of the 1M, especially when they have all the pieces in place (motor, chassis, etc. as he said in the interview). It probably hasn't been approved for production and there would be a lot of work to do before they decide on the right price and specifications, but I would be absolutely shocked if there wasn't an M2 within three if not two years. BMW would be stupid to sit back and let Mercedes and Audi have this market all to themselves with the A/CLA 45 AMG and RS3 especially at a time when the M3 is growing larger and more expensive leaving so much room for a smaller, cheaper entry-level M car.

I was like 90% set on getting an F80 M3 but if the M2 has a six-cylinder engine, it just moved to the top of my short list.

[sparkyg]

It's all good news but I'm still not gonna buy one.

Just tired of driving an M3 in winter. It's a PIA.

More torque mean's it'll be even worse in snow and winter roads.

[Ezio]

Originally Posted by needabeemer

i hear you, but the point is that i dont want to spend 60k+ on a 435i only to see that its been outdated/outdone literally 3 months later

the m4 will probably look a lot better and make me say "damn, i wish my car had that" ...it will inevitably happen to every car we choose, but at least let us enjoy our basic 4's for longer than 3 ******* months

the 5 and 6 series owners didnt see the M5/M6 for like 2+ years and got to enjoy their cars for a long time. if i buy a brand new 4 series ill enjoy it and then get teased by the M4's superior looks/tech just a few months later. and im not even talking about the performance yet. the performance is something i probably wouldnt even need but the looks/tech alone will ruin the joy of owning a "basic" 4 series and make me regret my purchase. suppose this car has a much more aggressive air breather side vent, or the LED headlights from the concept, or something along those lines?

sorry but thats a deal breaker to me, i just changed my mind about getting a 4 series over that. and now i will probably have to switch to another brand all together since im not waiting til late 2014 for a car. bmw does not know how to make their customers feel special at all.

the M4 is going to look better. but its not like you are going to be seeing them around town. specially how new is about to be.

[amdmaxx]

Originally Posted by sparkyg

It's all good news but I'm still not gonna buy one.

Just tired of driving an M3 in winter. It's a PIA.

More torque mean's it'll be even worse in snow and winter roads.

U need training and good snow tires. You be fine. Or get a winter beater.

[hwelvaar]

Putting an I6 in the M2 will like seriously piss off anyone that's bought the M4 (or M3)... Not?

1-2, 3-4, 5-6 series and 4,6,8 cylinders seems logical.

[E90ab335i]

Originally Posted by Remonster

There's very little chance that they would miss out on the sales and positive brand image an M2 would generate, especially after the success of the 1M, especially when they have all the pieces in place (motor, chassis, etc. as he said in the interview). It probably hasn't been approved for production and there would be a lot of work to do before they decide on the right price and specifications, but I would be absolutely shocked if there wasn't an M2 within three if not two years. BMW would be stupid to sit back and let Mercedes and Audi have this market all to themselves with the A/CLA 45 AMG and RS3 especially at a time when the M3 is growing larger and more expensive leaving so much room for a smaller, cheaper entry-level M car.

I was like 90% set on getting an F80 M3 but if the M2 has a six-cylinder engine, it just moved to the top of my short list.

I agree 100%. FN said it himself they already have the engine and chassis, like they did with the 1M taking components from all across BMW's line and creating something special. If the M2 will have an I6 as opposed to an I4, I couldn't justify buying an M3..... especially with the improved driving dynamics the M2 would hold over the M3 with reduced weight

[mkoesel]

I just had the chance to read the full interview and one part jumped out at me that I don't think I've seen mentioned yet:

MT: Could M do a hybrid?

FN: It’s not necessary. The i brand represents those cars for BMW. Sure, a lightweight lithium-ion battery is useful, not for drive but for auxiliary functions and support systems. But there’s no M hybrid in the near future. But if, say, China passed regulations that meant I couldn’t sell M cars there without hybrid, I would have to think about it.

To me he dropped a big hint there. This might not necessarily apply to the F8x, but it could. However, certainly they are looking seriously into KERS-type systems, and if that research was not yielding potentially useful results, I don't think he'd even have made mention of the possible usefulness of the batteries.

[pkimM3r]

Originally Posted by wdeerfield

i know not an m purists, but no awd? with how powerful the cars are becoming, i would have thought awd would be needed to put the traction down

What?!

[Tåst]

Originally Posted by hwelvaar

Putting an I6 in the M2 will like seriously piss off anyone that's bought the M4 (or M3)... Not?

1-2, 3-4, 5-6 series and 4,6,8 cylinders seems logical.

Like Cayman piss off 911 owners?

I think I6 is only choice on M2. We seen how car magazines likes it, Chris Harris drives M135, he loves the sound of classic BMW inline six engine and BMW knows that more exotic inline six will sell better than std. I4.

[turbolag]

Originally Posted by DrakeKemper

Personally I think the M2 will have a souped up version of the 328i engine like the 1M had a souped up version of the 335i engine.

The 1M had a souped up version of the 135i engine, also known as Z4 35is. The M2 will have a souped up version of the M235i engine. I can't see it being an i4 if the M135i/235i are i6s.