BMW M Division Reveals Details on Future Products
First, the BMW M135i concept unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show is confirmed for production, offering a turbocharged six-cylinder powerplant mated to a choice of manual or automatic transmissions. What’s more, optional all-wheel drive is offered as well. Unfortunately, the M135i will be out of reach for the North American market.
This goes for the M Performance line of diesels as well. According to Nitschke, “We have the technology to meet the U.S. emissions standards and if the market demands, then the M550d would be an option for the U.S. But at the moment, according to our market research, the numbers wouldn’t be sufficient.”
Addressing plans to expand M division to include hybrids, Nitschke denies the rumors of an M Performance line for the i3 and i8 hybrid vehicles. Simply, “The i brand offers the sportiest gas-saving cars, while M GmbH offers the most efficient sporting cars.”
But it’s not all disappointing news. Nitschke is considering an M version of the 7-series to compete against the likes of Mercedes-Benz S-Class AMG and the Audi S8 flagship performance luxury sedans. If confirmed, performance luxury sedans are a popular choice amongst the more grown-up driving enthusiasts and a BMW M7 could well be the new vehicle of choice for Jason Statham in the Transporter franchise or the 7-series could make a deserved return to Bond films since it last starred in Tomorrow Never Dies.
Plans for a BMW M7 are still immature but we’ll be keeping an eye out for updates as more news develops.
GALLERY: BMW M135i
[Source: Car and Driver]
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