MORE BMW M SECRETS SPILLED

BMW is about to descend upon us all with a bucket full of new M cars. Dr Friedrich Nitschke, boss of M Division, spoke to Auto Express and told them a few secrets. One of these regards the next M3, which will focus quite a bit on saving fuel. Therefore, according to AE, the new car will be utilising the services of three turbos. That’s one more than any other production car out there except the Bugatti Veyron which spins four turbines.

Three turbos will apparently return very good fuel consumption figures for the amount of power expected from the car. Rumours suggest the M3 will only deliver about 335kW of power, or just 26kW more than the current V8. That would make it very very quick at Gauteng altitude where it would not love as many horses as when it was naturally aspirated.

The other interesting bit from Herr Nitschke is about how his division is planning on dramatically increasing the number of M cars on the fleet from the current seven (1 M Coupe, M5, M3 Coupe, M3 sedan, M3 Convertible, X5 M and X6 M). That means the obvious M6 range, as well as possible others. We venture to say the X3 and X1 are primed for M treatment. So is the 7 Series for that matter, although we’ve been an M7 is not even an option.

Lastly the Z4 M Coupe could still happen. Contrary to earlier messages from M, Nitschke told AE that a decision had not yet been made on whether to produce one or not. But he said it would certainly be a possibility. Well given the Audi TT RS and upcoming Mercedes-Benz SLK 63 AMG, the segment certainly is still alive. We keep hope alive.