NEWS
All-paw M cars?
Iconic BMW performance cars could pull as well as pushThe pros and cons of all-wheel drive M-badged sports sedans are being debated by BMW as it prepares to drastically restructure its range in coming years via a slew of front and all-wheel drive models.
While M GmbH does market M-badged SUVs in the form of the X5 M and the X6 M, only high performance rear-wheel drive petrol-engined passenger and sports cars have earned the traditional badge which places a capital M in front of a single digit, the obvious examples being the legendary M3 and M5 (barring a few exceptions such as the M635CSi, M Coupe and 1M)
M has widened its portfolio in recent years but stuck to its badging philosophy. An obvious example is an M-tuned all-wheel drive turbo-diesel 5 Series that is designated M550d xDrive.
But senior BMW product spokesman Kai Lichte has admitted to motoring.com.au that all-wheel drive M cars are a hot topic at the Munich-based premium brand.
"There are discussions inside BMW about this issue," he revealed at last week's 2 Series Active Tourer launch in Austria. "Some say yes, some say not. But generally it [M all-wheel drive] is possible."
There are a series of external pressures being applied to M's rear-drive philosophy that raises the possibility of all-wheel drive sports sedans and sports cars.
Mercedes-Benz rival AMG has already scored sales success with 4Matic all-wheel drive versions of the E63 and S63, especially in the northern states of the USA, which are snow-bound in winter.
"Of course we have to respond to our prime markets," said Lichte. "Also, we have to see how it fits to our brand and our sub-brand M."
BMW already offers xDrive all-wheel drive versions of the mainstream 3 Series and the 5 Series, so an M response is certainly feasible.
But not an AWD takeover, Lichte emphasised: "It would also be possible to have both, because there are quite a lot of customers who appreciate having a rear wheel drive car. They don't want to have an all-wheel drive car."
BMW and M will also be scrutinising the success of AMG's new all-wheel drive A 45, GLA 45 and CLA 45 models based on the MFA architecture.
BMW Group's new UKL front and all-wheel drive architecture will underpin virtually all sub 3 Series BMW badged cars by 2021, including the Active Tourer, 1 series family, the X1 compact SUV and a proposed X2 SUV 'coupe'.
One of the most intriguing questions in all this will be the fate of the M2 (pictured in camouflage). Based on the new 2-Series coupe, it is due to go on-sale in 2016, powering its rear-wheels via a 3.0-litre petrol-turbo engine expected to punch out around 230kW.
The next generation 2 Series coupe is due on-sale around 2020 and as reported here last week, BMW is yet to decide whether it will stick with rear-wheel drive or follow the rest of the small car range to UKL.
If it does, then the second generation M2 could be all-wheel drive – if M's badging policy accommodates it.
No doubt Audi's quattro division is watching all this with some amusement, as it has built its performance business on all-wheel drive.
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Written byBruce Newton
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Please see our Editorial Guidelines & Code of Ethics (including for more information about sponsored content and paid events). The information published on this website is of a general nature only and doesn’t consider your particular circumstances or needs.
If the price does not contain the notation that it is "Drive Away", the price may not include additional costs, such as stamp duty and other government charges.
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