BMW M PERFORMANCE AUTOMOBILES ANNOUNCED

“In spring 2012, BMW M GmbH will unveil a new product range for drivers seeking a particularly sporty driving experience, yet who also value the familiar comfort and practicality of BMW models” is how the information pack begins. Confused? You aren’t alone. Except if you continue reading you’ll start to understand better.

Yes, the BMW M GmbH Division (known simply as M Division) already produces cars. Why, they’ve been for many years now, including icons like the M3 and M5. So what’s this new line all about exactly? Well it seems there’s space above everyday BMWs and below the mighty M cars. Here’s an example. The current M3 makes 309kW, while its nearest sibling is way down at 225kW in the form of a 335i. Clearly there’s a gap here. Similarly between the 550i’s 300kW and the M5’s 412kW, there exists some form of middle ground. BMW says it has found it.

The new derivatives will be called M Performance Automobiles and are being developed by the M side along with regular M cars as we speak. They will feature both petrol and diesel motors, as well as the xDrive all-wheel-drive (AWD) system. Case in point are the upcoming X5 and X6 M 50d xDrive, and the M 550d, all of which have been spied and are rumoured to feature a compact diesel unit with three turbos underneath. Speculated power is around 280kW and 740Nm. So they are like the 550i / X5 xDrive50i but with a little less power, more torque and better fuel usage.

M Performance Automobiles officially launches at the 2012 Geneva International Motor Show in March. We are not too sure how different this is from what Audi has been doing for years with the S and S Line products, but of course BMW will explain it in good time.

* M5 pictured here