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10-04-2013, 03:16 PM #1
BMW changes its mind? All wheel drive M cars on the way with next generation M5 and M6
Earlier this year BMW went on record stating they are committed to rear wheel drive. The head of BMW M, Friedrich Nitschke, stated just back in February that all wheel drive brings too large of a weight penalty with it. BimmerBoost proceeded to call the BS card on his statement as the new M models are already so heavy it does not matter and of course the X5M and X6M already come with all wheel drive drivetrains so the precedent for an all wheel drive M has already been set.
Yes, those are SUV's so what about all wheel drive M cars? Nitschke is now flipping on his earlier statement, "I’ve looked at the numbers and 70 to 80 percent of E63 AMGs are all-wheel drive in the US now. On our cars we are thinking of all-wheel drive, but it won’t come before we get the successor of the M5 and M6. That’s the timing and it’s not practical to react in the current life cycles. It would also be an additional option, not the only available model, because a lot of M buyers prefer rear-wheel drive.”
Ok, interesting, AMG's decision to offer an all wheel drive option seems to be influencing BMW's future decisions. Additionally, BMW is acknowledging the M5/M6 are heavier cars so the all wheel drive weight gain is negligible on those platforms, “The M5 and M6, maybe in the next generation they could get AWD, but not with the M3 or M4. Never. To accelerate out of corners with this rear-end architecture concept is so fantastic that it [all-wheel drive] is not needed.”
This makes complete sense. The M5/M6 have turned into straightline monsters and all wheel drive would help put all the power down. BMW needs to make a philosophy choice here. The M3/M4 will never gain all wheel drive as he states remaining pure drivers cars as an M should be but if they keep cutting weight from the car it is not necessary for more power and torque to constantly be added to compensate for the heft. Perhaps BMW should apply this philosophy which is more inline with M's traditional ideals to the M5/M6 so instead of joining the crowd they can set the standard once again? Just because the M5/M6 are bigger cars does not mean they should not be driver's cars.
Regardless, offering the choice of rear wheel drive or all wheel drive as an option with the M5/M6 is a good idea. BMW M should focus more on cutting weight though as what M has done with the upcoming M3/M4 is the right way for M to go if they intend to improve the driving experience.
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