Pure Electric M Cars are Eventuality Says BMW M CEO, But Hybridization Comes First

[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Pure Electric M Cars are Eventuality Says BMW M CEO

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Speaking with Autoexpress at the Detroit Auto Show, BMW M head Frank Van Meel spoke more on the future of hybridization and electrification of BMW M models. A pure electric M car is 'unavoidable' according to Van Meel.

But first, hybrid powertrains will be introduced to the M lineup. The powertrain will prioritize enhancing performance rather than boosting efficiency. "We already see the stop/start feature coming to M vehicles and the next step is electrification. At the end it will also be pure electric, but it's going to take some time," "Of course we are in close contact with the Project i group looking into next generation of cell technologies, electric motors, weight and cooling systems to figure when is the right time to make the next step" said Van Meel.

Van Meel continued to rule out the possibility of a M-developed BMW i8. "That wouldn't make sense," Meel told Auto Express. "It's two different directions. M is about uncompromised motorsport, whereas Project i looks into the future and is uncompromised efficiency."

[yousefnjr]

Apparently not soon enough for some of their employees...

Old news but relevant:
BMWi employees leave to Chinese firm...

... and build something that hauls ass

[2000Z3M]

well i guess road trips are out

[Agni]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

well i guess road trips are out

How so? It only takes minutes for a full charge with Tesla's supercharger. Many people have done coast to coast trips. I think 400mi+ range cars are gonna the be the norm in 10yrs at the premium end.

I would think BMW and/or 3rd parties will have something similar in the future.

[mkoesel]

Originally Posted by 2000Z3M

well i guess road trips are out

By the time BMW M moves over completely to pure electrics, you'll be able to fast-charge another 250+ miles of range in about five minutes or so.

In the meantime they'll do PHEVs.

[ASAP]

Two things will fix all of these issues... the pullback of cafe standards and regulation as well as a drop in overall sales. You want the good old days, then make these things happen.

[R N M]

Sad day - sound of the car is one of the main features for performance cars.

I guess we will have fake exhausts with exterior speakers in 10-20years.

[shil]

I hope not. No one needs to hear you making noise.

[CPWINCH]

wish they would put a S85-esque engine in the i8 platform

[IS+1]

I'm hoping this will not happen until after I die.

[theroadrunner]

+1 sound is such a fun part of performance cars.

but with electric outperforming gasoline, like tesla ludicrous mode 0-60 in 2.3, electric Ms are inevitable.

[mfstrby]

Originally Posted by IS+1

I'm hoping this will not happen until after I die.

+1

[ouengineer]

Originally Posted by R N M

Sad day - sound of the car is one of the main features for performance cars.

I guess we will have fake exhausts with exterior speakers in 10-20years.

For me, it's not just the sound of the engine, it's the engineering that went into that engine AND being able to hear it's specific howl when working hard.

Though I'm sure they will eventually solve the issues of charging as well as the powerband, using batteries as engines is just not exciting in any way.

For these reasons, I'll be keeping my old turbo 240 indefinitely I think.

[ron_jeremy]

Originally Posted by Agni

How so? It only takes minutes for a full charge with Tesla's supercharger. Many people have done coast to coast trips. I think 400mi+ range cars are gonna the be the norm in 10yrs at the premium end.

I would think BMW and/or 3rd parties will have something similar in the future.

Tesla is "only" at 150KW with their charger solution, CCS with VW, BMW, Ford and MB have joined forces and is going to build a lot of charging stations, with 350Kw supply.
Seriously, ever since i bought the i3, i cannot go back to diesel/petrol, it´s ancient stuff and the efficiency is nowhere close to the electric engine, nor is it any lag.
The future may not include V8 sound, but it will be fun and very powerful.

[yousefnjr]

Originally Posted by R N M

Sad day - sound of the car is one of the main features for performance cars.

I guess we will have fake exhausts with exterior speakers in 10-20years.

i8 has a speaker in its exhaust iirc...

[BoosTonian]

Originally Posted by theroadrunner

+1 sound is such a fun part of performance cars.

but with electric outperforming gasoline, like tesla ludicrous mode 0-60 in 2.3, electric Ms are inevitable.

2.3 seconds 0-60, but car is slower then a vw Jetta around the nurburging. Lol I'll stick with real performance cars

[F87LUV]

Silent M cars????

[123sub]

Hybrid/Electric M? I rather walk. M is not as it once was, with fake engine sound via speakers, and EPS and turbos. No, my next car will be E92M3, and that is a keeper, as it is the last real M imo.

[Fabs///M]

Originally Posted by 123sub

Hybrid/Electric M? I rather walk. M is not as it once was, with fake engine sound via speakers, and EPS and turbos. No, my next car will be E92M3, and that is a keeper, as it is the last real M imo.

So much nonsense !!!

[Wolf 335]

I would like to see BMW and Tesla team up on establishing a charging station network across the globe. Eventually all charging stations will need to be universal.

[Wolf 335]

Originally Posted by R N M

Sad day - sound of the car is one of the main features for performance cars.

I guess we will have fake exhausts with exterior speakers in 10-20years.

Nobody really cares about the sound of the car but the person driving it.

So what is important is that the driver gets the sound experience, not the people outside.

I think once EVs take over, that sound theory will diminish.

[Fundguy1]

Another poor decision. Let's see their opinion in 4 years.