BMW M Division to Focus on Rear-Wheel Drive, Six-Cylinders

BMW’s M Division will focus on rear-drive vehicles and inline-six-cylinder engines for the foreseeable future, according to a new report. The news comes from Carsten Pries, M Division’s head of product management, in an interview with motoring.com.au.

That means the M performance division won’t be entertaining the idea of four-cylinder-powered M car anytime soon. “I hope not, because six [cylinder] is part of our DNA,” Pries said when asked about four-cylinder engines. “Not only the power, but that hallmark sound that we have.”

Currently, the BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe are powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-liter I-6, while the new BMW M2 coupe is powered by a 3.0-liter I-6 with a twin-scroll single turbocharger. The new rear-drive M2 goes up against the likes of the all-wheel-drive Mercedes-Benz AMG CLA 45 and the quattro-equipped Audi RS3. Both of those cars are based on front-drive cars with transverse-mounted, turbocharged four-cylinder engines.

2016 BMW M2 Coupe front end in motion 2016 BMW M2 side profile 2016 BMW M2 Coupe side in motion 02 2016 BMW M2 Coupe rear end 2016 BMW M2 Coupe front three quarter in motion 02 2016 BMW M2 Coupe rear three quarter in motion 02 2016 BMW M2 Coupe engine 02 2016 BMW M2 Coupe interior

“We always determine what kind of performance do we want for a new car and which technical alternatives we have,” said Pries. “And for us this car, also after success of the 1 M Coupe, including the essential dimensions such as sound and the level of feedback [the driver gets from the engine, we chose a six.]”

Of course there are exceptions among full-fledged M cars including the BMW M5 sedan and BMW M6 Gran Coupe, coupe, and convertible; and the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M SUVs. Those models are powered by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8. While the M5 and M6 are rear-drive, the M SUVs come with all-wheel-drive standard.

Additionally, some of the less-extreme M Performance models are available with all-wheel-drive like the recently revealed BMW M760i xDrive sedan. BMW’s close performance partner Alpina also offers all-wheel drive, with models like the B6 xDrive Gran Coupe and B7 xDrive. BMW’s plan to focus on rear-wheel drive differs from Mercedes-AMG, which has begun offering certain AMG models with standard all-wheel drive.

Source: motoring.com.au

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