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Updated Sept 29, 2016 with statements from the 2016 Paris Auto Show:

Ian Robertson, member of the board of Management at BMW AG, told the press at today's Paris auto show that BMW is open to implementing electric technology into M models.

"BMW M is enjoying its most successful period in history, it has got the broadest range of cars, they are sold out around the world and ultimately I see [electrification] technology that can move in both directions here." Robertson said.

As the Autoexpress article below discusses, electrification would likely take the form of a hybrid set up where the goal isn't simply to lower CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy, but also to make M cars faster, more responsive and even more involving.

As for autonomous technologies, Robertson doesn't think that performance cars and autonomous driving technology are mutually exclusive.

"I think the two things can go together. I am driving the new 7 series, it’s semi-autonomous, I drive the first 25 km on the autobahn unrestricted. I drive at over 250km/h, it makes me feel good in the morning and evening – but the last 10km is always in bumper to bumper traffic. I stick it in a mode that allows me semi-autonomous, I don’t use my feet anymore, can take my hands off the wheel and can take my eyes off the road briefly. That for me is marrying the autonomous world with sheer driving pleasure, because not all of it in an urban environment is that much fun."

Electrification and autonomous tech would be integrated in a way as to preserve BMW's core DNA of driving fun, however. "We will still have sheer driving pleasure, the ultimate driving machine at the core of our DNA because that’s what we are."



Original post - Feb 4, 2016

http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/942...-in-the-future

BMW admits that hybrid versions of M cars like the M3, M4 and M5 are inevitable and electric assistance will make them even faster

The future of BMW’s high-performance M cars is hybrid, according to the brand’s vice-president for engineering, Dirk Hacker.

Rather than use plug-in and hybrid tech to simply lower CO2 emissions and improve fuel economy, BMW will adapt these systems to make its cars faster, more responsive and even more involving.

Speaking at last month’s Detroit Motor Show, Hacker told Auto Express: “We will look at electrification – I think it could be inevitable – but it depends on the possibility of increasing performance.”

We asked him about customer desires, and whether M car buyers cared for zero-emission capability or a 25-mile EV range.

“We’ve found that our customers are not interested in driving without the combustion engine,” he said. “They want to know if these changes will help with performance.”

So this rules out a pure electric M car, plus Hacker hinted that the brand was in no rush to employ battery technology, insisting it was happy to wait until the systems could be properly integrated with no adverse effect on the car’s driving characteristics.

“We’ll need to look at the weight implications of electrification,” he added. “What is the compromise? Are we ready now or do we need to take a look at some special structural solutions for the future?”

Hacker believes that, ultimately, balance is the most important factor in producing an accomplished sports car, and isn’t prepared to sacrifice driver enjoyment for a performance and economy boost.

“The weight of the cars is very important,” he explained. “I don’t think it’s the best idea to get more and more power into these models. Our philosophy is to get the right balance between power and performance.”

[David70]

Speaking at last month’s Detroit Motor Show, Hacker told Auto Express: “We will look at electrification – I think it could be inevitable – but it depends on the possibility of increasing performance.”

So they will look at it and at some point in the future it might happen. I agree with what he is saying and doing.

[Twixboy]

So in other words, today's Tesla P85D is the BMW M of the future? Get with the times BMW.

[rob24ert]

Who wouldn't want electric motors to prime your turbo so there is 0 lag, like in F1

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by rob24ert

Who wouldn't want electric motors to prime your turbo so there is 0 lag, like in F1

I dont want it if it means a 4700lb car

[MightyMouseTech]

Ultimate Driving MACHINE, not Ultimate Driving Software.

[dailym3]

yeah, they'll be faster....at what cost? These cars are plenty fast without having to resort to batteries with all of their additional weight, cost, and complexity. I'm just not interested in $150k M3/4's. If they want to do a one-off like the GTS, to showcase their technology and "green" capabilities that's one thing. The day the standard car goes that way though they will lose me, and I suspect many other customers.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I dont want it if it means a 4700lb car

That's the main challenge. I'm not sure if BMW will implement hybrid technology in the next generation M3, but maybe the one after that. With BMWs CLAR platform (in the upcoming G30 or whatever 3er), we can see a good amount of weight savings. The more CFRP in the unibody the better.

Honestly, an M3 with 3400lbs or less with an NA I-6 with batteries would be totally awesome... all of the benefits of an NA engine (excellent throttle response + engine sound) along with the benefits of turbo technology (low down + mid range flat torque curve) AND better fuel efficiency? sign me up.

[fecurtis]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

So in other words, today's Tesla P85D is the BMW M of the future? Get with the times BMW.

“We’ve found that our customers are not interested in driving without the combustion engine,” he said. “They want to know if these changes will help with performance.”

Helps to actually read sometimes.

[wjjkoevoets]

I don't want to drive an electric car, not at present at least.

I wouldn't mind seeing BMW experimenting with an inline 6 3.0l turbo'd hybrid though...

[ASAP]

Not maybe... not kind of... this will happen.

And no one should be surprised.

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by danniexi

That's the main challenge. I'm not sure if BMW will implement hybrid technology in the next generation M3, but maybe the one after that. With BMWs CLAR platform (in the upcoming G30 or whatever 3er), we can see a good amount of weight savings. The more CFRP in the unibody the better.

Honestly, an M3 with 3400lbs or less with an NA I-6 with batteries would be totally awesome... all of the benefits of an NA engine (excellent throttle response + engine sound) along with the benefits of turbo technology (low down + mid range flat torque curve) AND better fuel efficiency? sign me up.

Im not a retro grouch by any means but i would rather that hypothetical 3400lb with batteries car be a 3000lb without batteries car. And why go back to Na 3.0L? Keep the s55. 420whp and 3000lb. Thats more like it!

Keep the batteries in i division but keep bringing over the lightweight tech please.

[danniexi]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

Im not a retro grouch by any means but i would rather that hypothetical 3400lb with batteries car be a 3000lb without batteries car.

strict government regulations deem it necessary to meet fuel economy standards.

Originally Posted by nicknaz

And why go back to Na 3.0L? Keep the s55. 420whp and 3000lb. Thats more like it!

turbo cars have lag + sub-par throttle response (as good as the S55 is) compared to NA engines. Then again, BMW could always go with their 4-pot turbo + batteries =lighter weight engine with all of the benefits of torque-y turbo goodness and the batteries to give immediate throttle response + instantaneous torque with amazing fuel efficiency. On top of that, going back to a 4-cylinder would be a nice homage to the E30... IF they can get the weight of the car down even further.

[ShocknAwe]

Would be interesting if they can figure out how to do it without added weight. Hate to see the cars made totally out of CF just to maintain weight and still have it top out at 3300-3500lbs. Just think about how much a typical M3 would cost then.

[SCOTT26]

Inevitable. Which is why BMW are developing Power eDrive.

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by Twixboy

So in other words, today's Tesla P85D is the BMW M of the future? Get with the times BMW.

I certainly hope not. If 4700lb monsters are what BMW will build I will stop buying them

P90D S is not the car of an enthusiast. It has 'insane' straightline acceleration which is cool for drag races, yet completely different than what a car enthusiast is looking for which is a good driving experience

[RingMeister01]

Originally Posted by nicknaz

I dont want it if it means a 4700lb car

Hence CFRP technologies for advanced weight savings.

[rjd598]

People are always afraid of change. I don't blame them we've been used to na engines for so long it's understandable why so many would be against this. You have to face the facts and just accept it. Besides it's not like you're getting a worse car...you're getting more power, lower weight, and better efficiency. That's technically perfect in an ideal world. Be happy Bmw is the first or one of the firsts to be conscious of this issue and to be make their direction public.

If the i8 is any indication of where we are headed then I'll be excited. People forget they created that car just as a regular car, but it's being reviewed as a super car and even then still holding its own. Is it perfect? No. When M gets their hands on it and more years have passed with experience will they create a killer car? I'll bet my money on it.

[Kwando]

Will they also pipe an artificial electric buzz into the cabin when it's in EV mode?

[clbmw]

A lot of worried folk I bet, but I'm wondering what the folk on the Horseypost forum were worrying about in 1886 when Karl Benz invented a petrol car...

[Makman]

I really look forward to a small superb handling full electric M.

[BPe90M3]

Cool. They lost one customer here.