BMW’s M division boss, Kay Segler, has confirmed that the firm will not be making a BMW M7, but he did not rule out an M version of the 1-series.
Speaking to Automotive News, Segler said the firm did consider a BMW M7 but decided against it due to the costs involved.
“We've looked at that [BMW M7] and decided not to do it," he said. "The 760 with all-wheel drive is a very strong offering. The M sales would be too small for our total investment.”
Twitter - follow autocar.co.uk
BMW sold 24,186 M models worldwide last year and is hoping to improve on that with September’s launch of the BMW X5 M and BMW X6 M.
Segler defended the thinking behind these models, claiming that he expects around one in five X5s and X6s sold to be M models.
“M is a sports car, but one that can be driven all year," he said. "We don't just give it more horsepower and make the chassis a little stiffer. If you look at the M3, it's on the upper limit of how much we change. Seventy-five to 80 per cent is modified.
“One function [of the M division] is to energise BMW and be the pinnacle sporty portfolio for the BMW brand. We also have to create profit for the BMW Group.”
On the potential of the BMW M1, Segler said, “Give me a year or so to look into the 1-series.”
But Segler ruled out a BMW X1 M. “You need an entry into M price-wise," he said, "but whether we can do that economically has to be determined. Dreams are always there, but we have to pay for them. An X1 is not a car that we would have.”
Greg Kable blog: BMW M (that’s for marketing, not motorsport)
Add your comment