[bigslick82]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

OK lets talk seriously if BMW Brought out a supercar rival to the Audi R8 how many can actually afford it? And not by Lease.

Audi found a way. Plus, don't you think you could get a share of that business? Many people hold BMW in higher regard than Audi and it wouldn't be an R8 fighter. It would be an R8 slayer.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Efficient Dynamics is our strategy and so is Project-i , BMW are the current pioneers in lowering it's emissions in it's products and with it's new developments aim to be the leaders in the future.
Efficient Dynamics is about the best of both worlds - The best drivers car in it's segment with class leading efficiency.

I see that mentioned many times. This strategy is all well and good and no doubt will be successful, but there would be a market for a M3 CSL and a new z4 m. Hybrids are the rage among the consumers, but NOT among the enthusiasts.

[SCOTT26]

Audi found a way. Plus, don't you think you could get a share of that business? Many people hold BMW in higher regard than Audi and it wouldn't be an R8 fighter. It would be an R8 slayer.

I am not denying that it could be an R8 Slayer if it wanted to be , but things have progressed far enough in europe in relation to emission regulations that manufacturers have to look at introducing new applications to motor vehicles in able to meet the future emission regulations.

Since we introduced "Efficient Dynamics" in January 2007 with the 1er Sporthatch BMW have achieved it's first goal in it's long term strategy , we upset the competition and left them hurrying to catch up.
Now we are moving to our next phase of Efficient Dynamics with the BMW Active Hybrid 7 and BMW Active Hybrid X6. And next year we will launch the BMW Active Hybid 5.

In regards to the Audi R8 , BMW done a competitive autospy on one and when down to the chassis it was the exact same as the Lamborghini Gallardo,
Audi can make the R8 because of it's dependence on the Gallardo.
BMW would have to develop a platform on it's own which means the BMW would not be as cost effective as an R8.

[gerardm]

interesting

[09E92M34ME]

I would love to see BMW blow the R8 out of the water!

[AussieZ3]

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I
Audi can make the R8 because of it's dependence on the Gallardo.
BMW would have to develop a platform on it's own which means the BMW would not be as cost effective as an R8.

Whilst this is a fair point, if BMW can build the right car, it should be able to sell more than the R8 and Gallardo combined, hence reducing the cost per unit.

I for one would be happy to pay more for the right BMW than the Audi.

If this is still not viable work on the current M3 platform, produce an M3 CSL. Strip down the weight to nothing, use all the current motorsports equipment (ie race seats, 6 pot brakes etc) add a few bulges and thrown in the V10 from the M5/6. All of this has already been R&D.

Goodnight Audi.

Here is your inspiration (a photoshopped M3).

http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2930136.aspx

[Robert]

The mention of Ferrari 458 Italia in the same sentence as the new BMW sports concept is a stretch. Efficient dynamics or not, no BMW production car had the same allure as a Ferrari. And when one speaks of a Halo car, no one wants it to be efficient in the sense of being environmentally conscious. I have no doubt the new BMW will be excellent and sublime to drive and be a worthy adversary of Audi R8, but really does it stand a chance against a Ferrari or Lambo? The original M1 project was a joint effort of BMW and Lambo.

This is the car to beat. I guess I will eat crow's feet if BMW pulls it off.

[BillLee]

im gonna save up some money!

[Vudoo4u2]

while we all love halo cars...we have to consider the financial implications of a halo vehicle being put into production.

halo cars dont make much $, it doesnt matter if you cannibalized all the gallardo and R8 sales, it still wouldnt be a horribly profitable venture.

From an enthusiast perspective, we all want the fastest coolest more outrageous car ever. From a financial perspective, we all want to pay less for the car and for maintaining the car (no matter what model it is)

this brings the problem, right now, since there isnt a properly developed efficient platform to bring both power and "shock and awe", a company has to face the hurdles it has in front of it, and make enough money in the process to have an opportunity in the future to take that base development, and put it towards use on a fun/low money making project. Currently, with the market being the way it is, its not the time to go for "sweet and so cool and fast" for a maker like BMW, whos bread and butter is the 3 and 5 series because it sells to the masses in hordes. Much like honda has eliminated the nearterm excitement in favor of productivity and mass producing models, BMW is taking a similar approach, but also trying to push the performance edge by going the other way from big displacement due to future business hurdles it knows it must cross.

Ferrari is considering a hybrid, do you know why!? because they need to meet emissions standards. Same goes for BMW, but BMW is on a much larger scale, so for them to concentrate on making an M1 model at this current time seems financially irresponsible. But if they concentrate on developing "Efficient dynamics", they can perhaps in the future take that R&D and put it towards perhaps a hybrid sports car to blow people out of the water for fun when the financial rain clouds go away, and they can afford to go after a halo vehicle instead of bread and butter strengthening.

[Antinontoxic]

Originally Posted by JoeyBananaz18

for those who say the M1 was canceled, id like to remind everyone they swore they would never build a M version of the X5.

It does not mean that they will not ever make new M1, but as the decission to cancel this project is quite fresh, I do not believe that they would have changed this decission with so short notice.

I just wish that I am wrong and we will see the M1 hommage on the stage

Originally Posted by AussieZ3

If this is still not viable work on the current M3 platform, produce an M3 CSL. Strip down the weight to nothing, use all the current motorsports equipment (ie race seats, 6 pot brakes etc) add a few bulges and thrown in the V10 from the M5/6. All of this has already been R&D.

Because of all the testing it takes approx. 3 years to mate already existing engine to already existing body.

[AussieZ3]

Originally Posted by Antinontoxic

Because of all the testing it takes approx. 3 years to mate already existing engine to already existing body.

Thats fine. The E46 M3 CSL came out 3 years after the E46 M3 anyway.

I guess we all would like to know there is "light" at the end of the tunnel somewhere.
No one is reasonably expecting anything in the next 12-24 months anyway.

[Hula-Hula]

I can't wait until september to see what BMW pulls off this time!
________
Ford Taunus V4 Engine Picture
________
DevilishMistress
________
DEPAKOTE LAWYER

[JamieA]

Wheels magazine have published this rendering below (sorry about the unfortunate positioning of the fold) and also a story on it (see attached PDF).

I love the look of it... granted this is just a photoshop...

[atr_hugo]

JamieA - thanks for posting that!

[Imola.ZHP]

^ x2, good read in the PDF...

[hks786]

I love the quality of that chop, but apart from the front end it doesnt look like a BMW. Looks like it' trying too hard to be the R8.

BMW need something that packs a better punch than the R8 and better emissions/pricing aswell. I cant see it happening any time soon though.

[Year's_End]

I made a sketch recently of what I think would be the most "BMW-esque" sports car there is. Front engined though.

Wish I could scan/post it.

[hks786]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

I made a sketch recently of what I think would be the most "BMW-esque" sports car there is. Front engined though.

Wish I could scan/post it.

Nice. Take a pic of it?

[Lemans_Blue_M]

[Jake C]

I think the point is BMW (1 Brand 2 if you want to count Mini) does not sell as many cars worldwide as VW has ( Several Brands Audi, VW, SEAT, Skoda, Lamborghini, etc..). One more reason why BMW and Mercedes are thinking of or beginning to share some technology to gain synergy and save money where needed.

- J

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by hks786

Nice. Take a pic of it?

Yeah, just got back from work and tryin' to scan some stuff I've been doin (to kill off time at work lol).

Gonna post em in that old sketch thread.

[Year's_End]

+1^

[Alpine*]

I still love the M1 concept, hope they build it or something similar.

Here's a shot I took at the Melbourne Motor Show earlier this year.



and here is a large copy for those interested.

http://i196.photobucket.com/albums/a...7/P1000249.jpg