Skip to main content

BMW M to build more track- and driver-focused cars, nixes front-wheel drive

bmw m track focused cars no fwd 2016 m2
If you’re a fan of BMW or at least have been keeping tabs on Munich’s finest automaker, you’ll probably agree that it seems like Bavarian Motor Works lost its way a little bit. Over the past decade or so, BMW has been criticized for focusing a little too much on unneeded and overwhelming technology in its cars. Additionally, with the emergence of the “i” sub-brand featuring the i3 and i8, sustainability and advanced tech obviously took priority over truly building the “Ultimate Driving Machines.”

This change in focus also slightly affected BMW’s coveted M Performance division, the branch that brings us lovable greats like the M3 and the M5. With BMW also prioritizing sales volumes in a sort of quantity-over-quality bid, M cars also perceivably have taken a hit in various places. Don’t get us wrong — the company still builds very nice cars, especially ones that drive well and at speeds that will clearly get you in trouble with the law. It’s just that, they simply aren’t the same when compared to the BMW’s we’ve come to love and appreciate from the 1990s and 2000s.

But alas, it seems there’s light at the end of the tunnel. According to a recent report from Autocar, BMW M revealed some details regarding future plans. They range from the impending arrival of a more “hardcore” version of the M2, to a downplay on any potential for front-wheel-drive M cars.

BMW M4 GTS

On the topic of the harder-edged M2, it sounds like a “CSL” or “GTS” model is in the works, if we were to postulate. Not at all a surprise given BMW’s tradition of making track-focused versions of its performance vehicles. Additionally, some spy photos are floating around and we’ve certainly heard from our friends at Autocar before on this matter. And because of this, BMW M vice president Dirk Hacker told the outlet that this will keep manual transmissions relevant.

But more importantly, it seems like the light went back on inside the heads of company bosses as they believe there’s a growing market for driver-focused CSL or GTS versions. BMW M cited market research, finding that the demand is certainly increasing. As an example, M2 sales are higher than expected with more than half of them being equipped with manuals. So this could mean a higher possibility of more harder-edged M cars.

“The M2 is tracking at 40-50 percent above our expectation in terms of sales, with almost half of buyers specifying a manual,” Hacker told Autocar. “Demand for cars like the M2, which is probably our purest M product today, has surprised us, and that opens opportunities for building more extreme cars, in the vein of GTS and CSL heritage models.”

If your paranoia set in and ever feared the possibility of a front-wheel-drive BMW M car, Hacker confirmed that no such product will exist. To elaborate, he hinted that rear-wheel drive is still the focus of BMW M and all-wheel drive will be used where deemed necessary, such as on the latest M5.

Editors' Recommendations

Chris Chin
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Since picking up his first MicroMachine, Chris Chin knew his passion for automobiles was embedded into his soul. Based in…
The ultimate self-driving machine: BMW’s ‘i’ division to focus on autonomous cars
2017 BMW i3

When BMW launched its "i" sub-brand a few years ago, the goal was to create greener cars by developing electric powertrains, and using new technologies to emphasize efficiency and sustainability in vehicle design.

BMW i will remain focused on technology, but the emphasis will shift from efficiency to autonomy. The German carmaker plans to retool its forward-thinking sub-brand to work on self-driving cars, BMW board member Klaus Froehlich told Reuters in a recent interview at the company's Munich headquarters. The shift began in April, Froehlich said, and is now in "ramp-up stage."

Read more
First Drive: 2015 BMW X6 M
SUV? Crossover? BMW's X6 M is a car that defies convention
2015 BMW X6 M front angle 2 v2

The 2015 BMW X6 M’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 delivers on the performance promise of the premium BMW M-Sport sedan experience. Ultimately, the SAV is let down by its diminutive interior and increased ride height.
The crossover conundrum: representing two mutually exclusive qualities, the functional convenience of a utility vehicle and the nimbleness of a sports sedan. It’s a precarious balance that often makes a vehicle a jack of both trades, yet master of none.

When it came time for BMW -- which marks the 40th anniversary of being “The Ultimate Driving Machine” this year -- to tackle the oddity that is the crossover vehicle, you can be damn sure which way it’ll tip the scale.

Read more
EV vs. PHEV vs. hybrid: What’s the difference?
BMW X5 PHEV charge port

When sizing up options for your next car, you may be figuring out whether to get an electric vehicle, only to discover there are a bunch of variations to consider -- not just hybrids, but plug-in hybrids, extended-range electric vehicles, and fuel cell electric vehicles are just some of the other categories. The depths of EV jargon run so deep that we wrote an entire EV glossary, but for now let's zero in on the difference between electric vehicles, hybrids, and plug-in hybrids. These options blend old tech and new tech in a way that's often practical, cheaper than an EV, and still more efficient than an old-school gasoline car.
What is an electric vehicle?
An electric vehicle skips the internal combustion engine found in most traditional cars in favor of an electric motor. This allows EVs to operate without needing gasoline. Instead, they're powered by an electric battery that will need to be charged regularly, either at your home or at a charging station like a Tesla Supercharger. The Ford Mach-E, Kia EV6, and Rivian R1S are all popular examples of modern EVs.

The electric motor works by way of a rotating magnetic field. Inside the motor, three electromagnets surround a free-floating rotor, which spins based on which magnet is attracting it most. That rotor in turn produces power to the wheels of the car and pushes it forward and backward. Regenerative braking reverses the relationship and turns motion into electricity. While you're slowing to a stop, the force of the turning wheels spins the rotor and generates a charge via the electromagnets in the motor, which in turn goes up into the battery for storage. If you're curious, you can dig into the nuts and bolts of how an electric vehicle works.
What's the difference between a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid?
In short, a hybrid primarily relies on gas with an electric backup, while a plug-in hybrid relies on electric power with a gas backup.

Read more