BMW plans on bringing two new M cars to market in the 2014 model year; the next-generation M3 and an all-new M coupe based on the second-generation 1 Series. Both the next 3 and the next 1 Series production models will bow in late 2012 for the ’13 model year.
In keeping with M’s new philosophy of cutting cylinders/displacement while cutting weight to maintain performance levels, the next M3 will return to a six-cylinder engine. The question, M division CEO Ludwig Willisch says, is whether it will be an inline-six or a V-6. A V-6 would provide better balance and more packaging versatility, while an inline-six would be lighter, a key quality for BMW’s future, and avoid uproar among Bimmerphiles.
The new six-cylinder M engine isn’t based on the current 3.0-liter family, Willisch says, “and I’m not saying whether it is a twin turbo. It will be a turbo six-cylinder engine. That is, I’d say, almost sure. We’re really at the very, very beginning of the project. M3 hasn’t started yet.”
With a 1 Series M (the obvious name, M1, would also be problematic with hardcore BMW followers), Willisch is looking to recapture the spirit of the four-cylinder, E30 M3.
“It was the first one, and it’s so much fun to drive,” he says of the E30 M3. “And if you just look at the spec sheet, you’ll say, ‘It really won’t move.’ Twenty years ago, it was fine and now you need at least 420, 450 horsepower in order to have decent acceleration. But once you drive it, you’re really impressed because you can brake later, you can corner faster.”
That car also is in the inception stages, with BMW M working on its business case. The 1 Series M will weigh less than 2900 pounds and its turbo four must make at least 300 horsepower, Willisch says. “I would love to have a car like that in our range. It would also be a good thing to get the interest of younger customers again. This would only be a story for the next 1 Series, so you’d be looking at 2014 or so.”