It’s hard to imagine two sectors of the automotive community that are farther apart than BMW M cars and pickup trucks.
As stereotypes go, one group prefers function over form, utilitarian features, and rugged toughness, while the other places more value on performance, image, and classic style.
Despite the contrast in ideology, there are way more Bimmer-truck crossovers out there than you’d think. Don’t expect the quirky niche to become a burgeoning automotive class anytime soon, but don’t be surprised if you come across one of these rolling identity crises at a future car show.
Adding another oddity to the mix is Hungarian design firm X-Tomi, which has just released a rendering of an M4 pickup.
The M Series truck is predictably a bit fugly, but it actually looks better than some of the other members of the conceptual ute family. The cabin curves down to meet the bed instead of dropping straight off like a typical truck, retaining at least some of the coupe’s classic shape.
Thankfully, the M4 is powered by a twin-turbo inline six that generates 431 horsepower and 406 pound-feet of torque, so you might be able to actually haul some stuff around with a few chassis modifications.
Related: Meet the TRISTAR, Volkswagen’s half-truck, half-car concept
These vehicles always seem like a bit of a joke, and there’s a good reason for that.
Back in 2011, BMW seriously committed to April Fools’ Day by creating a real, in the flesh M3 pickup truck. Like any serious automaker would do, BMW subsequently thrashed its 414-hp creation around the Nurburgring, reportedly clocking speeds of up to 186 mph.
The next step? Time to go muddin’.
(Photos via X-Tomi Design and Top Gear)
