We obtained to sit down down with BMW M boss, Frank van Meel, on the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. Topic issues ranged far, however stayed decidedly removed from a number of the heavier headlines of the weekend. For instance, the M2 CS shock go to or the Speedtop Idea debut. We coated some acquainted favorites, although, together with the brand new (and outdated) M5, hybridization and electrification, and hypercars (form of).
M5 Demand is Holding Sturdy
The i4 M50 is the best-selling M car automobile by quantity. And the M2 is the best-selling full M. However the M5 is placing up spectacular numbers, in line with van Meel. He says there’s a “very, very excessive demand for the brand new M5,” and that the mannequin is “skyrocketing in manufacturing, numbers and gross sales. It’s [demand] not happening.” What is likely to be extra stunning is that Europe’s orders are predominantly for the sedan model. Within the US, the Touring is charming extra prospects. Frank says that worldwide, it’s “kind of 50/50.”
On a associated notice, Frank additionally fielded some questions across the M5’s weight, unsurprisingly. Whereas acknowledging the automobile’s weight, he mentions that “it’s faster than its predecessor on the tracks.” He attests that weight was the “solely commerce off” BMW needed to make for making the M5 “easy to drive,” citing improved gas financial system, extra energy, decrease emissions, and a clean powerband.
And Frank says BMW M handled the M5’s weight drawback as they’d in racing. Wider wheels, a wider monitor with wider bodywork, lively rear steering, and positioning the batteries low on the car assist make the automobile nonetheless behave like an M5. “We all know we’re going to place weight within the automobile,” he mentioned, however it was calculated. It was the price of doing enterprise to ensure that BMW M to make use of the V8 engine.
Making The Case For Hybrid and Electrical M Automobiles
Frank isn’t tied to sure drivetrains in his M automobiles. “M — since 1972, after we have been based as M, or Motorsport GmbH — has all the time been motorsport and emotion. And each time you sit in an M, and also you drive an M, you say, that is an M…it’s all about emotion and motorsport. And that is kind of impartial from the drivetrain.” He’s proper, too. He discusses the engine rotations the M3 has seen by the years — from revy four-cylinder to screaming six- and eight-pots to the turbocharged S55 and S58 of newer reminiscence. And each time, with out fail, “it drove like an M3 and everybody was joyful, and we offered greater than earlier than.” Proper once more, Frank.
Lengthy story brief: he feels the identical method about electrification and hybridization. “What we’re at the moment doing with electrification, as soon as that involves the market, you’ll say ‘I didn’t see that coming’.” He compares it to the F90 M5’s debut, the place some heard “all-wheel drive” and ran scared. “I mentioned the identical with the M xDrive after we got here to the final technology M5, that it’s not four-wheel drive. It’s rear-wheel drive with extra traction, and everybody was afraid that it could simply go straight ahead, no rear wheel bias dynamics anymore.” After all, now, we all know that van Meel was largely correct when he mentioned that. “Now with electrification, I can solely say it’s going to be a typical M it’s simply going to be a lot faster,” he says.
Differentiating BMW M EVs From Different Automobiles
One massive problem all automakers face is separating their efficiency EV choices from the competitors. Within the nuclear arms race that’s electrified powertrains, 1,000 horsepower merely isn’t sufficient. “Magical components is a pleasant terminology,” van Meel begins. “You’ll want to have this innovation, as a result of individuals know what electrical automobiles drive these days, and in case you take a look at that, you say, that’s good, however that’s perhaps not, nonetheless not precisely what I’m on the lookout for.” With fewer perceptible cues, like audible downshifting, EVs make it robust to understand how fast you’re going — particularly on a race monitor. “However in case you look down, [at the speedometer], you lose,” Frank says. “You want a greater integration of the driving force into the automobile in order that you already know the place you’re and you’re in management.”
A central element to creating BMW M EVs drive the best way an M automobile ought to is engineering. Frank says the concept that BMW M is making an M model of the upcoming Neue Klasse isn’t fairly right. “That’s flawed, as a result of every little thing we want for M within the Neue Klasse needed to be built-in in the entire setup of the Neue Klasse proper from the beginning.” Frank claims “if it’s not within the structure, it’s typically unattainable so as to add it.” That’s the place BMW’s Coronary heart of Pleasure is available in. It’s relevant for each car, whether or not it’s obtained a single electrical motor or 4.
BMW Hypercar? Eh…
The hypercar (nonetheless) isn’t taking place, not less than not any time quickly. The query cited BMW’s World Endurance Championship (WEC) involvement because the doable case for a roadgoing hypercar. “Not essentially,” van Meel begins. “What you all the time attempt to do at M is to make automobiles which might be which might be as shut as doable to racing. That’s why we’re in racing,” he says. Speak about a non-answer, however it doesn’t actually appear like van Meel is entertaining the concept.
