BMW mystery mule. What do you think this is?! [Update: BMW Z3 undergoing testing]

pit1 · 12-15-2014, 01:23 PM

I'm with @Adem1534 on this one, M2. They wouldn't produce a mule with such polish and body panel fitments for something so completely different like Toyota/Z-car/Mini.

- Further differentiates the M2 from the M235i, and additionally the M2 from the M4.
- explains delayed release of M2 over standard 2-series.
- Shorter/lower/lighter could provide the physics to achieve all that we've been looking to improve on the standard 2-series platform

Has anyone compared the wheel base of this to the previous M2 test mules? That's the only piece that doesn't add up. Why they would have spent so much time testing on a different wheelbase.

Yes...this is SO MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE than the M235i. Current model just looks like a smaller 4-series...this is the aggressive bulldog it should have been.

hellrotm · 12-15-2014, 01:30 PM

I have a hard time believing it is the M2. Why would BMW go such great lengths and cost to lower the roofline on the M2 over the base cars. So many components need to be changed for that one change (interior parts, exterior sheet metal, all glass). It doesn't ad up for a very low volume car.

captpn · 12-15-2014, 01:34 PM

fingers crossed that this is simply the next gen 2.

Maybe someone at BMW couldnt take the proportions any longer, and they came up with this fix for the 230/240. Want one.

EzequielR · 12-15-2014, 01:36 PM

Hmm, definitely interesting.

AKRAPOVICOWNS · 12-15-2014, 01:37 PM

Cmon scott, we know you're here!! Tell us already.

Basketcase · 12-15-2014, 01:39 PM

Maybe it's the coming M2 which will be the intro to the LCI 2 series as well and all this talk of "why would BMW make so many one-off parts for the M2" will make sense. They aren't one-off parts. They will be for the M2 and the 2 series chassis will follow in it's form from then on out

beppeM3+123d · 12-15-2014, 01:51 PM

chassis: M240i in a special performance commercial edition like tii ......
engine: new 6L engine with a power kit...

seems to be a M performance mule

Roundown · 12-15-2014, 02:11 PM

What it is aside.

I dig that the new camo is no camo. Were the roof and hood body colored (and it not near a production 2), I wouldn't have been the wiser.

tallshortguy · 12-15-2014, 02:12 PM

Adjusting the wheelbase for a simple variant like M-performance is not BMW's M.O. and I doubt LCI changes would be that major either.

That's a pretty significant adjustment meaning it's either an even more focused model of the M2 or a test mule for a non-2 series car.

Needsdecaf · 12-15-2014, 02:12 PM

THere are a lot of fun things being said on here by some people who obviously don't know how the automotive design process works. Let's discuss what it's not.

It's not a 2 series / M2. There is no way that BMW would change the roofline and chop the wheelbase for either a 2 series LCI or an M2. Think about it people, that would require a complete set of crash tests. Just not going to happen.

It's not a Mini. No way that car is FWD. Proportions are off. There is too much body panel between the door and front wheel, and as has been stated, you can see the diff.

It's not a GTS / Race car. Those cars have homologation rules, which require a certain number of cars built (varies by series). Again, would have to crash test / type approve to sell, then sell the cars in limited numbers, to make a small race car? Just not not a feasible project.

It's either a Z4 mule, or a new sports coupe.

phoenx · 12-15-2014, 02:15 PM

What if its some sort of small hybrid coupe?

ORIGIN M. · 12-15-2014, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

THere are a lot of fun things being said on here by some people who obviously don't know how the automotive design process works. Let's discuss what it's not.

It's not a 2 series / M2. There is no way that BMW would change the roofline and chop the wheelbase for either a 2 series LCI or an M2. Think about it people, that would require a complete set of crash tests. Just not going to happen.

It's not a Mini. No way that car is FWD. Proportions are off. There is too much body panel between the door and front wheel, and as has been stated, you can see the diff.

It's not a GTS / Race car. Those cars have homologation rules, which require a certain number of cars built (varies by series). Again, would have to crash test / type approve to sell, then sell the cars in limited numbers, to make a small race car? Just not not a feasible project.

It's either a Z4 mule, or a new sports coupe.

Z3 maybe but it's not a Z4 because it's going to be a joint venture with Toyota and will be called the Z5

bluekn8286 · 12-15-2014, 02:17 PM

Maybe just a platform for testing new M Performance parts.

ORIGIN M. · 12-15-2014, 02:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by captpn

fingers crossed that this is simply the next gen 2.

Maybe someone at BMW couldnt take the proportions any longer, and they came up with this fix for the 230/240. Want one.

Not a chance.

Proportions are not an issue except for you.

captpn · 12-15-2014, 02:22 PM

whatever it is, I like it

jzmundy · 12-15-2014, 02:30 PM

This is 100% NOT an M2 mule. Surprised folks are even arguing that.

eyeloveteeth · 12-15-2014, 02:36 PM

dude i'm telling you - look at how uneven this is. All M's are lauded for 50/50 weight distribution - (except maybe the X- M series, not sure about that) -

There is something weird lurking underneath there..

numba1guju · 12-15-2014, 02:37 PM

M240i

Ganxxta · 12-15-2014, 02:38 PM

1 series coupe platform testing maybe?

paddy335 · 12-15-2014, 02:52 PM

M2 CSL

mge92 · 12-15-2014, 03:02 PM

Could it be a disguise for the Mini Superleggera Vision?

mapezzul · 12-15-2014, 03:03 PM

IMHO way too polished to be a mule. Could be a side project car that has no production intent. Also very strange this would be driven on the street in this form- usually these are trailered to the test track (I've taken photos at that location) by M if they are not in camo. Also a big no-no in Germany to have no front plate! Might be like the pickup truck M3 from several years ago. But seems strange they would go through all that work to make the gaps right and one off a roof and quick release hood if it was for a "Z" model they could just use a MINI clubman for.

Maybe it is a pace car or GT3 base car....

Dunno but obviously BMW wanted us to speculate because these types of shots are more often then not staged (imagine that).

12-15-2014, 01:23 PM	#67
pit1 Captain 241 Rep 790 Posts Drives: F87 M2 Join Date: May 2008 Location: It's always Sunny... iTrader: (1)	I'm with @Adem1534 on this one, M2. They wouldn't produce a mule with such polish and body panel fitments for something so completely different like Toyota/Z-car/Mini. - Further differentiates the M2 from the M235i, and additionally the M2 from the M4. - explains delayed release of M2 over standard 2-series. - Shorter/lower/lighter could provide the physics to achieve all that we've been looking to improve on the standard 2-series platform Has anyone compared the wheel base of this to the previous M2 test mules? That's the only piece that doesn't add up. Why they would have spent so much time testing on a different wheelbase. Yes...this is SO MUCH MORE ATTRACTIVE than the M235i. Current model just looks like a smaller 4-series...this is the aggressive bulldog it should have been.
	Appreciate 0

12-15-2014, 01:30 PM	#68
hellrotm Banned 4143 Rep 6,924 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: ...Location...Location iTrader: (0)	I have a hard time believing it is the M2. Why would BMW go such great lengths and cost to lower the roofline on the M2 over the base cars. So many components need to be changed for that one change (interior parts, exterior sheet metal, all glass). It doesn't ad up for a very low volume car.
	Appreciate 0

12-15-2014, 01:34 PM	#69
captpn Enlisted Member 10 Rep 49 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	fingers crossed that this is simply the next gen 2. Maybe someone at BMW couldnt take the proportions any longer, and they came up with this fix for the 230/240. Want one.
	Appreciate 0

12-15-2014, 01:37 PM	#71
AKRAPOVICOWNS Captain 572 Rep 636 Posts Drives: bmw 335i Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: brazil iTrader: (0)	Cmon scott, we know you're here!! Tell us already.
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12-15-2014, 01:39 PM	#72
Basketcase Aired Out 196 Rep 391 Posts Drives: Currently Car-less Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Creemore, Ontario iTrader: (2)	Maybe it's the coming M2 which will be the intro to the LCI 2 series as well and all this talk of "why would BMW make so many one-off parts for the M2" will make sense. They aren't one-off parts. They will be for the M2 and the 2 series chassis will follow in it's form from then on out __________________ Past BMWs 2010 E92 M3 - Track Build 2009 135i - FBO, Caged and Bagged 1980 E21 320i - Beauty! 2005 E46 M3 - Bagged 2003 E46 M3 - Track Build
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12-15-2014, 01:51 PM	#73
beppeM3+123d Lieutenant 208 Rep 415 Posts Drives: bmw m3 dct + 123d e81 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: italy iTrader: (0)	chassis: M240i in a special performance commercial edition like tii ...... engine: new 6L engine with a power kit... seems to be a M performance mule
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12-15-2014, 02:11 PM	#74
Roundown Colonel 585 Rep 2,357 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: New England iTrader: (0)	What it is aside. I dig that the new camo is no camo. Were the roof and hood body colored (and it not near a production 2), I wouldn't have been the wiser.
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12-15-2014, 02:12 PM	#75
tallshortguy First Lieutenant 64 Rep 385 Posts Drives: F30 328i Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: US iTrader: (0)	Adjusting the wheelbase for a simple variant like M-performance is not BMW's M.O. and I doubt LCI changes would be that major either. That's a pretty significant adjustment meaning it's either an even more focused model of the M2 or a test mule for a non-2 series car.
	Appreciate 0

12-15-2014, 02:12 PM	#76
Needsdecaf Major General 8332 Rep 7,457 Posts Drives: 2024 G80 Comp xDrive Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: The Woodlands, TX iTrader: (0)	THere are a lot of fun things being said on here by some people who obviously don't know how the automotive design process works. Let's discuss what it's not. It's not a 2 series / M2. There is no way that BMW would change the roofline and chop the wheelbase for either a 2 series LCI or an M2. Think about it people, that would require a complete set of crash tests. Just not going to happen. It's not a Mini. No way that car is FWD. Proportions are off. There is too much body panel between the door and front wheel, and as has been stated, you can see the diff. It's not a GTS / Race car. Those cars have homologation rules, which require a certain number of cars built (varies by series). Again, would have to crash test / type approve to sell, then sell the cars in limited numbers, to make a small race car? Just not not a feasible project. It's either a Z4 mule, or a new sports coupe.
	Appreciate 0

12-15-2014, 02:15 PM	#77
phoenx Lieutenant 333 Rep 471 Posts Drives: E46 M3, F80 M3, Tacoma, GT4 RS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	What if its some sort of small hybrid coupe?
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12-15-2014, 02:17 PM	#79
bluekn8286 First Lieutenant 103 Rep 327 Posts Drives: 2011 E92 BMW M3 Dinan S1 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: San Jose, CA iTrader: (0)	Maybe just a platform for testing new M Performance parts.
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12-15-2014, 02:22 PM	#81
captpn Enlisted Member 10 Rep 49 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: SE iTrader: (0)	whatever it is, I like it
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12-15-2014, 02:30 PM	#82
jzmundy Major 1002 Rep 1,495 Posts Drives: F97 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (6)	This is 100% NOT an M2 mule. Surprised folks are even arguing that. __________________ Then - E53, E85, E92, E82, F15, F80, G01 Now - F97, Macan S
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12-15-2014, 02:36 PM	#83
eyeloveteeth Private 18 Rep 80 Posts Drives: Wood Hauler Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: New York iTrader: (0)	dude i'm telling you - look at how uneven this is. All M's are lauded for 50/50 weight distribution - (except maybe the X- M series, not sure about that) - There is something weird lurking underneath there..
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12-15-2014, 02:37 PM	#84
numba1guju Lieutenant 27 Rep 488 Posts Drives: 2015 VW Jetta Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Houston, TX iTrader: (0)	M240i __________________ SOLD: 2013 328i Mineral Gray ZMM/ZLP/Heated Seats SOLD: 2002 325i Jet Black ZPP
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12-15-2014, 02:38 PM	#85
Ganxxta Second Lieutenant 85 Rep 280 Posts Drives: F32 4er Coupé Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Germany iTrader: (0)	1 series coupe platform testing maybe?
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12-15-2014, 02:52 PM	#86
paddy335 Major 66 Rep 1,131 Posts Drives: M140i;X5 40d Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: New Zealand iTrader: (0)	M2 CSL
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12-15-2014, 03:02 PM	#87
mge92 SPEED RACER 378 Rep 740 Posts Drives: BMW X5 M50d BMW M2 CS Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: London iTrader: (2)	Could it be a disguise for the Mini Superleggera Vision?
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12-15-2014, 03:03 PM	#88
mapezzul Special Agent 74 Rep 1,731 Posts Drives: Depends on the day! Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bavaria iTrader: (1)	IMHO way too polished to be a mule. Could be a side project car that has no production intent. Also very strange this would be driven on the street in this form- usually these are trailered to the test track (I've taken photos at that location) by M if they are not in camo. Also a big no-no in Germany to have no front plate! Might be like the pickup truck M3 from several years ago. But seems strange they would go through all that work to make the gaps right and one off a roof and quick release hood if it was for a "Z" model they could just use a MINI clubman for. Maybe it is a pace car or GT3 base car.... Dunno but obviously BMW wanted us to speculate because these types of shots are more often then not staged (imagine that). __________________ [SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]
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