It is well-known that almost every important carmaker in the auto industry, like BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Audi or Porsche comes with its very own hardcore division that creates independent models, with improved characteristics and increase performance under the hood.

If we are to make a short review, just have a look at Mercedes-AMG, with a plethora of special models – AMG GT, AMG GT R – or Audi, with the Sport division, creating the R lineup and coming with independent features and characteristics.

For that part, the only model that was indeed apart from the rest of BMW`s Series or X range, was the M1 supercar, built are released on the market in 1981. Ever since, the carmaker`s M division has strictly operated under the carmaker`s lineup influence.

Concerning the future of the M division, Dr. Ian Robertson, BMW Group director of sales and marketing, has declared to Moring auto magazine the following:

“We have no plan for a standalone M car, like Audi or AMG. M is simply too busy. If you look at M and the work it has done, a lot of the development has been with M Performance, and it’s the same with i and the plug-in hybrids over pure electric vehicles.”

Questioned about the possibility of an i8 M plug-in hybrid, which will automatically compete against the future i8, the same Robertson also wanted to clarify things:

“I was clear with my mind that if we were bringing in an i8, we should not have another one based on it or competing with it from M. The i8 is a completely new interpretation of sports cars. We should never confuse that.”

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post BMW Doesn`t Plan “Standalone M Car”, Officials Confirm appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

As you may remember the stunning BMW Gran Coupe concept that was unveiled at the Beijing Motor Show this year has been announced by various sources that it will be making into production.

That’s not the full story however, as since 2012 isn’t that far away, the Bavarians are treating us to some information on what should we be expecting from it by then.

For starters, we have confirmation on the production version of the BMW Gran Coupe to be coming in in the second quarter of 2012 from BMW’s chief of sales and marketing, Ian Robertson.

So far, so good, but there’s more information to come from the same Mr. Robertson and it raises an eyebrow for many. The BMW Gran Coupe will be wearing the 6 Series badge and more importantly, there will be a M6 version of it as well. This is frankly, great news but the dark side of it can be seen in suspicion that the current form of the BMW 6 Series Coupe will be dying off.

This is not confirmed in any way but there is little information on the matter so it’s still a possibility.

When it will be going into production the BMW Gran Coupe will rival models such as the Porsche Panamera, the Audi A7 and the next generation Mercedes-Benz CLS.

Upon its debut, Adrian van Hooydonk, BMW chief designer, claimed that Gran Coupe point to a particular model, to a sedan model with the presence of a 7 Series, but more dynamic, more sportive, oriented to the driver.

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Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post News on the fate of the BMW Gran Coupe appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.

Finally there’s an end to all the rumors, guesses and estimates on the faith of the M badged version of the BMW 1 Series.

The confirmation came from Dr. Kay Segler, BMW M GmbH’s Managing Director and it took place in an interview given to German online magazine “Auto-News”.

It would seem than that all those spyshots of the BMW 1 Series prototype seen around the Nurburgring lots and lots of times and which had been rumored to be an M version of the BMW 1 Series E82 Coupe.

As to be expected, this model will not be sporting the M1 badge as that belongs only on the original M car and nothing else. Most likely it’ll be the 135i M or something of sorts but Segler did say that the car will be hitting the market around the second quarter of 2011. The production will be quite limited to start with.

While Mr. Segler wasn’t very generous with details this is still a set of good news that will probably fuel M fanatics and fans of the E82 until the car is actually available. One of the biggest sources for debate concerning this BMW will be what engine is going to power it. Most would say (same people who rumor the 135i M name) that it will be an upgraded version of the BMW 135i’s 3 liter turbocharged straight six engine.

About Post Author

Marcus M.

http://www.bmwcoop.com

The post M Version of the BMW 1 Series officially confirmed appeared first on BMWCoop | BMW Blog, BMW News, BMW Reviews.