New BMW M division boss confirms no M7

BMW 7-Series M Sport Package - med res

U.S. market is crucial for BMW's performance division

By Alex Ricciuti
July 14, 2009 4:19 PM
Filed Under: BMW, German

M is for meaning. As in, BMW doesn't just stiffen the chassis, pump up the volume on the horsepower and slap an M badge on a standard production car.

Kay Segler took over at the helm of BMW's performance division back in May. In an interview with Automotive News, Segler, 54, says he's confident that the upcoming X5 M and X6 M models will sell well, despite a very depressed automobile market.

But Segler says the Bavarian brand has axed any plans for an M7 model, claiming the all-wheel drive 760 does enough to fulfill the market.

Segler was moved into the position as head of BMW's M division after having managed the automaker's Mini brand for 5 years. In the interview, he addresses the issue of falling sales and the importance of the U.S. market for the M division. U.S. Sales for the M division were 9,738 out of a total of 24,186 M vehicles sold around the world by BMW in 2008. But sales for the first half of 2009 were just under 3,000 units in the United States.

He also described the essence of what he believes an M model is.

"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. 75 to 80 percent is modified."

The X5 and X6 M models go on sale in the U.S. on September 7.

 

Source: autonews.com (sub req)

Comments

CDspeed
July 14, 2009 4:51 PM
That is what makes an M car great. BMW only puts the M badge on cars that they turn into a complete performance machine.

schnell
July 14, 2009 4:58 PM
ya especially when you consider that most reviewers are saying that the "750i is an S63 AMG for less than S550 money"

motorjedi
July 14, 2009 5:26 PM
I agree with the decision. While I'm a huge BMW fan, and I love the idea of power, when you reach the limo class of cars, the image, the sheer size, and more importantly the price, negates the whole philosophy of the Ultimate Driving Machine. No one with that kind of money cares about the Nurburgring. Of course, having said that, the X6M and X5M have no reason to exist, but they do because of a certain fat Porsche. BMW know that their ultimate driving saloon will be a class lower - the M5 - and will always focus their attention there and below. Which is why the flagship 760i doesn't have the equally powerful, but lighter 4.4 twin turbo M-division V8, but instead a big ol' V12 that probably sounds like caviar melting. It's more Rolls Royce than Radical Racer. But it'll still wipe the floor with Merc and Audi on driving dynamics.


Edited by user on July 14, 2009 at 5:31 PM
dbehmoaras
July 14, 2009 5:40 PM
I agree with this decision as well. Let alone the fact that the 4.4L Twin Turbo V8 is already powerful enough, I think that if they must make a faster 7 they should just do the 760. And even then, not go too crazy. I car that big should not be doing 0-60 in almost as fast as a Ferrari or a Lamborghini. The M badge belongs on the M3, M6, the X6M, on a (hopefully) 1-Series, and on a supercar (even more hopefully). It shouldn't be on the X5 or even the M7. And while we're on the subject, 450bhp is enough for a SUV. Hell, the Jeep SRT-8 scares the hell out of me. Porsche, Mercedes, I'm talking to you. Back to the matter at hand, respect to BMW for taking the high-road and making a brilliant car over a scarily fast one, like the S65. I nearly soil myself every time I (or the driver) floor it in the S65, but not in a Z06 or even a ZR-1 or any proper sports car for that matter. What's the point of getting such a big car to go so fast if it's too scary to go that fast anyway? It's a waist of money really.

tom43
July 14, 2009 5:50 PM
I always thought that M-models are characterized by high dynamics and low weight. I don´t see this by the current model line-up. Even the M3 is too fat. I would like to a see a true mid-engine sports car with around 1400kg competing against the Cayman S, 911 Carrera and 911 turbo. I don´t speak here about an unpayable super-sports car! To make no M7 is a good decision. But to make instead a X5/6 M is questionable. I can´t follow Segler´s argumentation...

scratchy996
July 14, 2009 7:38 PM
rappers, footballers, rich bimbos like their Cayenne Turbo S, Range Rover Sport, ML 63 AMG. BMW needs something to compete with those things. with the M1 and M3 CSL canceled the M division needed something to do.

nederina
July 14, 2009 6:09 PM
Oh yeah? Where's our M3 CSL?

scratchy996
July 14, 2009 7:33 PM
that is the question.

scratchy996
July 14, 2009 7:34 PM
...or a fixed roof lightweight Z4M with the V8TT in it !

X6M
July 14, 2009 6:33 PM
That's ok, but like the X6 M, BMW M7 would be a real monster that's for sure!!

Geefiasco
July 14, 2009 7:27 PM
No M7, but they bless us with a couple of the ugliest cars known to man? X5 M & X6 M... Oh dear.

HEMI426
July 14, 2009 7:43 PM
These X5/X6M aren't realy sportscars, only the m3 since it has a real manual transmisions

Sata
July 14, 2009 9:25 PM
Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha NO M7! NO CRAP! S65 IS THE KING NOW AND FOREVER!

BabyMilo
July 15, 2009 12:54 AM
Why not? Mercedes has got an AMG version of their S Class, what does BMW have to compete with that?

M!
July 15, 2009 3:06 AM
and why? BMW never had a SLR competitor anyways.

BabyMilo
July 15, 2009 7:52 AM
That is true, but dont you think that it woule be a cool car?

M!
July 15, 2009 3:09 AM
the fact that BMW tried to sell Alpina B7's in the USA previously should already hint to them whether an M7 is feasible in a marketing standpoint.

the previously Alpina B7 sold OKAY in the USA but not like hotcakes.

if anyone wants a well tuned 7er, the Alpina B7 is already a good choice.

Iconic
July 15, 2009 5:59 AM
Ditto on that my friend. But I have to say that your every day money bagged moron doesn't have a clue what Alpina is. So maybe offering an M7 would attract these types (= more sales). It's true BMW to not get involved in the fray and keep the posers away.

Aesthetics
July 15, 2009 9:47 AM
i read somewhere....sarcastically refering that M does not stand for motorsport anymore but for 'marketing'. i agree and am glad they are not putting it on the 7. M3 and M5 only please, they way the M was made famous please, thank you.

MAGJR1219
July 16, 2009 3:38 PM
HEY HEMI426 THE M5/M6/Z4M ALL HAVE REAL M MANUAL TRANS.

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