[IanMan]

Would you really want a BMW supercar in today's world? Maybe during the E60, E90 etc. x generation I would have taken a BMW supercar, but not anymore.

[Tommysalami]

Their bean counters probably figured it wouldn't be worth it

Besides, do we really want BMW to give birth to a supercar right now anyway? They're best off waiting until they've outgrown this giant vertical kidney grill phase we're about to see...

[thebmw]

Originally Posted by Dave 90TT

M8 is pretty much a supercar, comp package even more so.

M8 may be fast, but supercars don't weigh 4500 lbs!

[SenorRoadRage]

Originally Posted by TheMidnightNarwhal

A super car has to be "exotic" looking. Or else it's just a high performance 2 door coupe. If I do 1000whp with my E92 335is does it become a super car? No. It's most definitely not all about having power.

The M8 is a super high luxury performance car, like the S65 AMG coupe. No one is calling that car a super car so why would the M8 be called that.

Correct. This also cuts the other way too - having all looks and no performance (e.g. the i8). A supercar has to have the looks and the performance or else it's either a poser or just a high performance car.

[Mingwan]

They should’ve just dropped the M760i’s V12 in the new M8. Would’ve been close enough as a super GT.

[romero1990]

Why is it necessary? The supercars from the non-exotic car companies are mostly just show&tell trophy.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by romero1990

Why is it necessary? The supercars from the non-exotic car companies are mostly just show&tell trophy.

Yup, good take.

It's not necessary.

Supercars from regular manufacturers are basically just halo vehicles meant to increase the reputation of said manufacturer and get people into showrooms.

Instead of one true performance vehicle and a bunch of acuras, bmws lineup contains a myriad of performance cars on a bunch of different chassis. They've effectively made a sports car version of almost every car in the lineup.

Now, the same could be said for Mercedes and Audi, but the truth is, "RS" and even "AMG" don't have anywhere near the cachet as "M"

Most laypeople look at BMW as a manufacturer of exciting cars, even without them having built a super car since the 70s.

[10"]

Originally Posted by Rush1

We have the classic M1.

Barely a BMW. The M1 was mostly developed by Lamborghini with a BMW engine. Audi repeated the recipe again years later with the R8.

Supercars are probably the most overrated type of car. Sure they appeal to kids because of their designs and they appeal to non-enthusiast rich people who want something bold and expensive—-to most of us they don't fulfill many criteria of car ownership—-besides statistical performance which is pretty much the worst type of criteria.

I have driven a few (R8 V10, Gallardo, F430) and they were fun but hardly something I dreamt about following...

[..Rush..]

If the car has a genuine BMW engine, then it's a BMW and not a Lamborghini. 'Nuff said!

Originally Posted by 10"

Barely a BMW. The M1 was mostly developed by Lamborghini with a BMW engine. Audi repeated the recipe again years later with the R8.

Supercars are probably the most overrated type of car. Sure they appeal to kids because of their designs and they appeal to non-enthusiast rich people who want something bold and expensive—-to most of us they don't fulfill many criteria of car ownership—-besides statistical performance which is pretty much the worst type of criteria.

I have driven a few (R8 V10, Gallardo, F430) and they were fun but hardly something I dreamt about following...

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by Rush1

If the car has a genuine BMW engine, then it's a BMW and not a Lamborghini. 'Nuff said!

By that logic, the McLaren F1 is also a BMW.

[eleven11]

Originally Posted by Moflow

Now, the same could be said for Mercedes and Audi, but the truth is, "RS" and even "AMG" don't have anywhere near the cachet as "M"

I'd argue that AMG has deservedly equalled the admiration of M, as much as I feel many of their products exude a gaudy presentation. I respect their absolute domination in Formula 1, and the strength it has brought to the brand.

[Moflow]

Originally Posted by eleven11

I'd argue that AMG has deservedly equalled the admiration of M, as much as I feel many of their products exude a gaudy presentation. I respect their absolute domination in Formula 1, and the strength it has brought to the brand.

No arguments here about AMGs awesomeness. They certainly deserve it, but to the average layperson, BMW is thought of as the sportier, more exciting brand when compared to Mercedes. I think a lot of that comes down to the M division. My sister for instance has no idea what AMG means. I could name any number of high performance Mercedes’ and she’d have no idea if I were listing car names or rice cooker models. But she knows what a BMW M3 is. Which is why (imho) BMW has much less of a need for a halo car.

[Germanauto]

Simple: lack of balls by the suits.

Nobody minded it when BMW was still making the most fun to drive compact and midsize sedans, coupes, and SUVs on the market.

But now 90% of their portfolio drive like Audis.

[fastboatster]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

They make the S1000RR. What more do you want?

One day, man, one day. Bikes is what makes me respect BMW more than its competitors. Honda started making bikes, but they didnt participate in early 20s and 30s motorcycle racing. granted, they totally dominate the motogp with one mutant, but only one mutant can ride it. Their streetbikes are def not the best and nowhere near s1000rr.
Love this color:

[MJBO]

Originally Posted by Mingwan

They should’ve just dropped the M760i’s V12 in the new M8. Would’ve been close enough as a super GT.

Yeah I thought it was pretty disappointing they didn’t make a V12 version, even knowing that the V8 TT would be better in every way. There is something about a V12 that just elevates a car to a new level.

[10"]

Originally Posted by Rush1

If the car has a genuine BMW engine, then it's a BMW and not a Lamborghini. 'Nuff said!

That logic is broken.

It's a Lambo with a BMW badge. The end. The whole car was developed and engineered by BMW. Doesn't matter if the engine was BMW or Honda or Lambo.

[bagekko]

Its more like BMW does not have a hypercar, the M5 & M8 are supercars, the terms and perception have changed over the years. If the M5 & M8 are not in the supercar category then what are they in? Back in 2008 my M5 was the fastest production 4 door car in the world, its a supercar.

BMW will never have a 911, Ferrari, Koenigsegg, Mclaren type car. They have always been about nice fun cars you drive every day. The Z8 wasnt even a hypercar and it is a shame they all pretty much sit in museums/collections now. Most the Merc hypercars are a collaboration with Mclaren, and not even that good for the price of them.

In todays bucket of supercars I would maybe even put the M3/M4 in there with the M5 & M8. Because below that are sports cars which has Miata, normal Mustang, normal Camaro, etc, cheaper sports cars. The special edition Mustangs/Camaros/Hellcat/Vettes are in the supercar category. Hypercar is for the limited crazy cars which you would barely use unless you track them.

[fastboatster]

I think I agree with poster above, this seems logical to me. Does "supercar" has to have a certain look to qualify as a supercar? To me, it's all in the numbers. If it also can comfortably haul 4 people and groceries and get you to work, then why not.

[hokiedood]

I consider a supercar as one that can clock a sub 3s 0-60 time with superior track handling.

[zamboni]

Originally Posted by The Wind Breezes

They make the S1000RR. What more do you want?

Awesome 2 wheeler, don't forget HP4.

[b92]

Originally Posted by hokiedood

I consider a supercar as one that can clock a sub 3s 0-60 time with superior track handling.

To me, supercar is a class of vehicles and not a criteria of numbers. A new M5 has more power and can lap tracks quicker than a Ferrari 360, but I only consider the latter to be a supercar.

The lines are blurry and everyone will have differing opinions on the matter so it's not worth arguing, but more about sharing different points of view.

[swomerva]

You can't fit giant beaver teeth on a wedge profile supercar so I fear it is not in the cards until someone with design sense takes the reigns back. Let 2020 be the year of reason.