When BMW showed the Vision M Next concept in June 2019, many fans wondered whether it will become a production vehicle. Shortly after its global debut, former head of engineering Klaus Frohlich didn’t rule out the enticing option, suggesting a road-going version might come if buyers showed enough desire. In August 2020, the business officially canceled the hybrid supercar, citing exorbitant development expenses.
As a result, rather than a low-slung, two-door sports car as a logical successor to the famous M1, the second dedicated M automobile will be a huge SUV. But how come this is the case? At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2022, Autoblog talked with M chief Frank van Meel on why they picked the XM over a street-legal Vision M.
“When we developed the M1, everyone who wanted to say, ‘I have something extraordinary,’ built a sports vehicle – it was the category everyone wanted to join.” The SUV market is definitely the largest, most significant, and fastest-growing segment today. And, in compared to other manufacturers, we still lacked the ultimate expressive luxury flagship at the pinnacle of the M.”
Frank van Meel further supported the choice by stating that there is a relationship between the XM and racing, similar to the strong link between the M division’s road and track cars:
“Throughout our 50-year history, we’ve always looked at racing and series-production vehicles to see where they’re headed and what they can learn from one another.” We’re carrying on with the XM, which has a V8 PHEV system, and [the LMDh hypercar] has a V8 hybrid powertrain as well. You can see that it works for high-performance automobiles when it works for racing.”
According to the M division’s senior brass, internal study revealed that the XM represented the “highest demand” from clients. In other words, the majority has spoken, and it seems that an SUV is preferred over a coupe.
While another mid-engined vehicle is unlikely, the M division will commemorate its 50th anniversary in grand style. The newly introduced M4 CSL is expected to give birth to a 3.0 CSL with a manual transmission, rear-wheel drive, and 600 horsepower. It’s supposed to be a coachbuilt project restricted to 50 vehicles priced at about 750,000 euros each. It won’t be a real M1 replacement, but it will be a fantastic way to conclude 2022 after seeing the M3 Touring, M2 G87, and, of course, the production-ready XM.
Autoblog is the source.
