ULTIMATE DRIVING DYNAMICS.
With the prototypes, the next level for outstanding, future-oriented performance has already been ignited. The particularly innovative drive and chassis control system offers an unprecedented level of dynamics, agility and precision. The test vehicles also feature a completely new all-wheel drive system and an integrated driving dynamics control system, which together provide an unprecedented level of performance and experience.
Dirk Häcker, Head of Development at BMW M GmbH, explains in an interview how and why the new dimension of high-performance sports cars will continue to offer the incomparable and M typical driving characteristics in the locally emission-free future.
Electrification opens up completely new degrees of freedom for us to create M typical dynamics.
Head of Development at BMW M GmbH
The BMW M Hybrid V8 is more than just a race car, it is paving the way for an electric future for BMW M, by emphatically demonstrating how dynamic and emotional electrified M Power can be.
CEO of BMW M GmbH
Electrification: The community asks, BMW M answers.
1. Why is M going electric?
2. Would you ever re-make old models as electric?
3. Will the BMW M line-up be completely electrified?
4. Will you still be able to drift an electric M car?
5. Are there still plans for hydrogen engines?
6. Will electric cars ever have "manual" options - for example a gearshifting simulation?
7. Will the experience of driving an electric M be as good and authentic as it is with an internal combustion engine?
8. How will you make sure people who love your petrol engines buy electric?
9. How will you make sure the cars aren't too heavy?
10. Will you still produce cars with hybrid and internal combustion engine?
1. Why is M going electric?
As BMW M, we recognize the increasing significance of sustainability, environmental considerations, and government regulations, which are profoundly influencing our operations and products. Electric drivetrains are a prerequisite for climate-neutral mobility of the future. And of course, the electrification of our M models gives us completely new degress of performance to create M typical dynamics. In the upcoming BMW M high-performance models you will be able to experience an unprecedented performance and technological innovations, even more precise and dynamic characteristics that you cannot imagine today.
2. Would you ever re-make old models as electric?
Our aim is not only to offer the most dynamic models in the high-performance segment, but also to be a leader in digital topics within the car. In addition, our cars are characterized by a forward-looking design that sets standards in the industry. Our core business is definitely not, to offer retrofitted vehicles, but we would not categorically exclude this either. With the BMW 3.0 CSL from the 50th anniversary year, we have proven that a modern concept can also be combined in a vehicle with classic looks.
3. Will the BMW M line-up be completely electrified, and if so by when?
Electrification plays an important role for BMW M GmbH. Among our BMW M performance models, we already have a very broad product portfolio in the Battery Electric Vehicle segment (BEV), such as the BMW i4 M50, i5 M60, i7 M60 and the iX M60. The new BMW M5 features a powerful M Hybrid system, that gives the car a previously unrivalled peak performance. More electrified M models will follow in the course of time. The all-electric future of BMW M's high-performance cars is on the horizon.
4. Will you still be able to drift an electric M car?
Fully electric vehicles open up a completely new field in terms of performance and driving dynamics, our core areas in which we have been setting new standards for more than 50 years. Of course, we will remain true to our promise and offer fascinating dynamics.
5. Are there still plans for hydrogen engines?
The BMW Group has a long history of researching and developing hydrogen vehicles. For us, alternative mobility does not end with battery electric vehicles. Hydrogen continues to play an important role in our company.
6. Will electric cars ever have 'manual' options – for example a gearshifting simulation? Will a BMW M still sound like a BMW M?
It's not just about delivering the typical BMW M performance in the BEV sector– our promise is that every successor to a model will outperform its predecessor in terms of performance. But it is just as important to give the BEV models a typical BMW M character - and this also applies to sound, mechanical noises, gearshifts, etc. We are always working on creating emotional and powerful solutions.
7. Will the experience of driving an electric M car be as good and authentic as it is with an internal combustion engine?
A special BMW M multidisciplinary development team ensures the hardware and software solutions designed for future all-electric high-performance cars. They make sure, that future high-performance models will also be characterized by exactly what has rendered BMW M automobiles unmistakable for the last 50 years: A linear build-up of drive power, lateral dynamics that permits controllable handling right up to the limits and an impressive and emotional driving pleasure. In addition to keep the driving dynamics that we are known for, we also want and we know already that we go one step further and come up with innovations that some customers or fans may not expect. We can’t wait to present a completely new concept, with four electric motors and a whole new driving experience. We will certainly completely exceed all the standards that have previously applied.
8. How will you make sure people who love your combustion engines buy electric?
As we said before, future high-performance models will be characterized by exactly what has rendered BMW M automobiles unmistakable for the last 50 years – and beyond. With our upcoming High-Performance M models you will be able to experience a unprecedented performance, even more precise and dynamic characteristics that you cannot imagine today. For example, We are going to present a completely new concept, with four electric engines and a control unit which controls the whole drivetrain.
9. How will you make sure the cars aren’t too heavy? BEV models naturally have a higher weight – will M models lose a major part of their athleticism?
Of course, the development of battery-electric vehicles is accompanied by an increase in weight. Even though battery storage will become more and more compact, we are constantly working on making components lighter. The keyword here is lightweight construction. Here, too, we have repeatedly demonstrated our expertise in recent years. In addition, when it comes to overall performance, you must not forget how enormously powerful BEV vehicles are and that the additional weight of the battery occurs at a position that is very favourable for driving dynamics - right at the lowest section of the vehicle.
10. Will you still make cars with hybrid powertrains and combustion engines too?
When we develop vehicles, we develop them for exactly the right purpose and drive type.
