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*The Z3/Z4-based M Roadster and M Coupe bore numberless "M" badges as standard fitment.
*The Z3/Z4-based M Roadster and M Coupe bore numberless "M" badges as standard fitment.
*The [[BMW M6|M635csi]] followed the M535i naming tradition but was a fully fledged M-Car (the M6).
*The [[BMW M6|M635csi]] followed the M535i naming tradition but was a fully fledged M-Car (the M6).
*The [[BMW 1 Series (E87)|BMW 1 Series]]-based M vehicles are called the [[BMW 1 Series (E87)|BMW 1 Series M Coupe]].
*The [[BMW 1 Series (E87)|BMW 1 Series]]-based M vehicles are called the [[BMW 1 Series (E87)|BMW 1M Coupe]].


==Lineup==
==Lineup==
Line 291: Line 291:
* [[BMW M Coupe|M Coupe]] - E36/8 and E86 Coupe
* [[BMW M Coupe|M Coupe]] - E36/8 and E86 Coupe
* [[BMW M Roadster|M Roadster]] - E36/7 and E85 Roadster
* [[BMW M Roadster|M Roadster]] - E36/7 and E85 Roadster
* [[BMW_1_Series_(E87) |1 M Coupe]] - E82 Coupe (2011)
* [[BMW_1_Series_(E87) |1M Coupe]] - E82 Coupe


===M badged cars===
===M badged cars===

Revision as of 13:10, 9 April 2014

BMW M GmbH
Company typeSubsidiary of BMW
Gesellschaft mit beschränkter Haftung
IndustryAutomotive industry
Founded1972
ProductsHigh performance engines and cars,
Automotive sports accessories
OwnerBMW
For other uses, see M (disambiguation).

BMW M GmbH (previously: BMW Motorsport GmbH) is a subsidiary of German car manufacturer BMW AG.

BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just "M" (for Motorsport) was initially created to facilitate BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 1960s and 1970s. As time passed, BMW M began to supplement BMW's vehicles portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known by the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW's private facility at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.

History

Origins

BMW E36 M3 in United Kingdom

Established in May 1972 with 35 employees,[1] it grew to 400 employees by 1988, and is currently an integral part of BMW's market presence. The first racing project was BMW’s 3.0 CSL.

After the success of BMW M products like BMW 3.0 CSL in racing venues and the growing market for high performance sports cars, M introduced cars for sale to the public. The first official M-badged car for sale to the public was the M1, revealed at the Paris Motor Show in 1978. The M1, however, was more of a racecar in domestic trim than an everyday driver. The direction of the M cars changed with the 1979 release of the M535i, which was a high performance version of BMW’s popular 5 Series mid-size sedan.

BMW Motorsport GmbH supplied the 6.1 litre V12 DOHC 48 valve engine that powers the McLaren F1, which, like its engine supplier and manufacturer, has enjoyed plenty of racing success, famously winning the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1995, the first year of competition for the GTR racing variant.

Recent history

At present, BMW M has offered modified versions of nearly every BMW nameplate, except for the 7 Series flagship luxury sedan and the X1 and X3 compact crossover SUVs. There is no BMW M version of the 7 Series, as BMW did not want its flagship saloon to be powered by a high-revving engine, and as the recent top-performing versions (usually the BMW 760Li) have V12 engines which while powerful are considered too heavy for a sporty offshoot. So far the unofficial "BMW M7" is the Alpina B7, which is produced on BMW's assembly line though its engine and finishing touches are done by auto tuner Alpina. [2][3][4][5][6] However, as BMW M shifted to turbocharged engines, there are rumors that there is an in-house BMW M7 in the works, and it is speculated that its performance may exceed that of the BMW 760Li and Alpina B7.[7][8]

The BMW X5 and X6 sport activity vehicles received M derivatives for the 2010 model year onwards. These are the first M vehicles with xDrive four-wheel drive and automatic transmissions, and also the first M-badged SUV models. However, the E70 and E71 X5 and X6 M were actually developed by BMW Group rather than by BMW M.

Although these are considered the most well known in-house tuning divisions, BMW M has a considerably different philosophy than Mercedes-AMG. BMW M has emphasized tuning only vehicles with "Lateral agility" (which has long been the 3 Series, 5 Series, and roadsters), while AMG has created high-performance versions of many of its nameplates, including flagship sedans and SUVs. Accordingly, "an M car has to be responsive and fundamentally keen on turning as well as accelerating. The M5's technical spec is all about connecting the driver to a car that reacts blindingly fast, whatever request the driver hands down." Until the 2010 model year, BMW M has also never used supercharging or turbocharging, unlike Mercedes-AMG or Audi; for instance the E39 and E60 iterations of the BMW M5 (using naturally-aspirated engines) competed against the Mercedes-Benz E55 AMG (with a supercharged V8) and the Audi RS6 (twin-turbo). [9][10]

BMW M vehicles typically used manuals and semi-automatic transmissions (the most recent type being a dual clutch transmission), in contrast to Mercedes-AMG which largely has automatic transmissions (the 7-speed AMG SpeedShift MCT dual clutch transmission was used on new models from 2009 onward). However, the BMW X5 M and X6 M were the first M-vehicles offered with automatic transmission, a 6-speed Steptronic unit, since this works with xDrive.

BMW M engines were traditionally low displacement naturally aspirated high revving engines, particularly the S85 V10 in the E60 M5 and E63 M6 and the related S65 V8 in the E90 M3. These are the most powerful engines BMW has ever built (not including BMW's S70/2) without supercharging or turbocharging, with an output of 100 hp per liter of displacement, and each has won numerous International Engine of the Year Awards.[9][11][12] As late as the early 2000s, BMW regarded forced-induction (supercharging or turbocharging) as low-tech shortcuts to boosting horsepower, stating that this adds weight and complexity while reducing throttle response.[10] BMW purists have noted that while forced induction and/or large displacement does produce more torque for better day-to-day driving, most of them like the "character" and sound of low displacement naturally aspirated engines with high redlines.[13]

However, the late 2000s international regulations trends on reducing CO2 emissions and fuel consumption are cited as the reasons not to continue further development on naturally aspirated high redline engines. The N54 twin-turbo inline-6 which debuted in the 2007 BMW 335i (E90) gives almost equivalent performance to the E46 and E90 iterations of the BMW M3, while being much more practical and fuel-efficient as a daily driver.[14] Starting with the X5 M and X6 M, and featured in the F10 M5, BMW used the twin-turbocharged S63 which not only produces more horsepower and torque, but is also more efficient than the S85 V10. Also unlike the S85 and S65 which do not share a design with non-M BMW engines, the S63 has significant parts commonality with the base N63 V8 engine (which is also has twin turbochargers) making them less expensive to build.[15][16] At the present (2012), BMW has not considered supercharging yet.[17]

As of the 2013 model year, the BMW M3 (E92/E93) is the only "traditional" M car left, as the rest of the M lineup features turbocharged engines, and the next iteration of the M3 (F80) and M4 (F82/F83) are expected to feature a twin turbo straight-6 engine.[18][19][20][21][22]

M-Cars vs. M-badged cars

There are several BMW models which BMW Motorsport made changes on, without them becoming M-Cars. This succession of styling (M-tech I, M-tech II) and performance cues came from BMW Motorsports; e.g. BMW 530i M packet or 325i M packet etc.

Vehicles which have been modified by BMW Motorsport, but are not full M Cars, may feature "M" badges, whilst full M Cars will have "M" badges with the model number (e.g. "M3" or "M5"). Two exceptions would be the M Roadster and M Coupe models, both Z3, Z4 and 1-series variants, which only have an "M" badge with no number displayed on the trunk. These cars are full M Cars.

In recent years, there have been 'M'-badged accessories available on BMW's standard fleet as factory options or as part of the "M Sport" package (which is more expensive than the optional Sport package). Examples of this include the E39 and E60 5 series sedans which had optional aerodynamic packages that were strongly influenced by the M5's styling (for example, bumpers with larger intakes). It is not unusual to see "standard" BMW vehicles with "M" badges or ribbons accenting their design. The plain motorsports badge simply stands for the 'M-tech' upgrades equipped on the vehicle (i.e. suspension, brakes, looks or any other modification that has been developed by the M division), therefore the 'M' badge on these vehicles should not be confused with the true 'M' vehicles (except the Z-cars, as mentioned), as they are not fully fledged 'M' cars, just equipped with 'M'-tech upgrades. BMW has offered these 'M' options on their standard vehicles since the late 1970s which explains why these vehicles carry 'M' badges straight from the factory. In comparison, vehicle maker Audi also employs this same type of nomenclature. There are fully fledged 'S' models (S4, S5, S6, S7 and TTS), as well as an optional "S'-line package that can be equipped to their standard vehicle lineup.[23]

An example of 'M'-badged vehicles in recent times include the E60 BMW 550i and E63 BMW 650i. The standard BMW 5 Series and 6 Series only had a choice of either a manual or automatic transmission, but the 'M' Sport package had an optional Sequential Manual Gearbox (SMG) (a gearbox shared with the M5 and M6)[24]until after the 2007 model year.

M-Diesel Cars - M Performance

Recently (2012) BMW has introduced a new category for 'M' cars, which was branded as the 'M' Performance. They are the first M diesel cars that BMW produces.

To date this includes the M550dx in touring and saloon variants, the X6 M50d and X5 M50d which all share a 381 bhp 740NM triple turbo diesel engine, the former pair are only LHD drive markets currently due to the xDrive layout in the F10 series not being compatible with RHD markets (a RWD F10 M550d was mentioned by Auto Express but has not been confirmed). Official figures put the M550d xDrive’s 0-to-62-mph time at 4.7 seconds and top speed at 155mph (limited), but can be unlimited at 188 mph. The first petrol M Performance car is the M135i which is a 320 bhp 1 series car. M135i is available with rear- or all-wheel drive.

The M550d is available in both sedan and touring chassis, with a ZF 8HP eight-speed sport automatic transmission including auto start/stop function. Manual and non-sport automatic gearboxes are not available. Unique features on the M550d are the twin trapezoidal exhausts in dark chrome and both wing mirrors and air-intake bars in ferric grey. Other 5 series models have wing mirrors in the same colour as the rest of the vehicle. The front fog lamps, standard on all other F10/F11 5 series models are removed, to make space for additional air-intakes. The door-sill plates are also unique on this vehicle, having a "M550d" inscription. In addition, the F11 Touring model features air suspension on the rear axle, with automatic self-levelling.

Nothing yet has been announced as regards the F30 3 Series M Performance line up but BMW have trademarked (amongst many other monikers) M335, M340 and M350.[25] Further to this M President Friedrich Nitschke has confirmed that the new triple turbo diesel engine will "easily fit" within the F30 engine bay but did not elaborate any further.[26]

Nomenclature exceptions

  • The 2010 X5 and X6-based M vehicles bore their normal model designations followed by the "M" stripe badge (the X5 M and X6 M). Had the nomenclatures followed tradition, the vehicles would have an MX5 and MX6 model designation, already used by Mazda.[27][28]
  • The Z3/Z4-based M Roadster and M Coupe bore numberless "M" badges as standard fitment.
  • The M635csi followed the M535i naming tradition but was a fully fledged M-Car (the M6).
  • The BMW 1 Series-based M vehicles are called the BMW 1M Coupe.

Lineup

Current M cars

  • M550d - F10 Sedan (2012 to present)
  • M5 - F10 Sedan (2011 to present)
  • M6 - F12 Coupe, F13 Cabriolet (2012 to present), F06 Gran Coupe (2013 to present)
  • X6 M - E71 SAV (2010 to present)
  • M3 - F80 Sedan (2014 to present)
  • M4 - F82 Coupe, F83 Cabriolet (2014 to present)
  • M235i
  • M135i

Future M cars

  • M2 - F20 Coupe, F20 Cabriolet (2014/2015–)

Previous M cars

years model model capacity cylinder power body style global production total image
1978-1981 M1 E26 3.5 liter l6 204 kW (277 PS) Coupe 456
1979 M535i E12 3.5 liter l6 161 kW (219 PS) Sedan with 4 doors 1,410  
1983-1989 M635 CSi E24 3.5 liter l6 192 kW (260PS) to
210 kW (286 PS) 		Coupe 5,859
1985-1988 M5 E28 3.5 liter l6 210 kW (286 PS) Sedan with 4 doors 2,191
1986-1992 M3 E30 2.3 liter
2.5 liter 		l4 143 kW (195 PS) to
175 kW (238 PS) 		Coupe
Convertible 		16,202
1988-1995 M5 E34 3.6 liter
3.8 liter 		l6 232 kW (315 PS) to
250 kW (340 PS) 		Sedan with 4 doors
Station wagon (since 1992) 		11,336 (Sedan);
891 (Station wagon)
1990 M8 E31 6.0 liter V12 410 kW (558 PS) Coupe 1 prototype
1992-1999 M3 E36 3.0 liter
3.2 liter 		l6 210 kW (286 PS) to
236 kW (321 PS) 		Sedan with 4 doors
Coupe
Convertible 		71,242
1998-2002 M Roadster
M Coupe 		E36/7
E36/8 		3.2 liter l6 236 kW (321 PS) Roadster
Coupe 		6,318 (Coupe);
15,375 (Roadster)
1998-2003 M5 E39 5.0 liter V8 294 kW (400 PS) Sedan with 4 doors 20,482
2001-2006 M3 E46 3.2 liter
4.0 liter (GTR) 		l6
V8 		252 kW (343 PS) to
279 kW (380 PS) 		Coupe
Convertible 		85,744
2005-2012 M5 E60
E61 		5.0 liter V10 373 kW (507 PS) Sedan with 4 doors
Station wagon (since 2007) 		19,522 (Sedan);
1,025 (Station wagon)
2006-2008 M6 E63
E64 		5.0 liter V10 373 kW (507 PS) Coupe
Convertible (since 2006) 		5,070
2006-2008 Z4 M Roadster
Z4 M Coupé 		E85
E86 		3.2 liter l6 252 kW (343 PS) Roadster
Coupe 		4,275 (Coupé);
5,070 (Roadster)
2007-2013 M3 E90
E92
E93 		4.0 liter
4.4 liter (CRT & GTS) 		V8 309 kW (420 PS)
331 kW (450 PS) 		Sedan with 4 doors
Coupe
Convertible 		9,606 + 68 M3 CRT (Sedan);
39,954 + 118 M3 GTS (Coupé);
16,219 (Convertible);
2011-2012 1M Coupe E82 3.0 liter l6 250 kW (340 PS) Coupe 6331
2010-2013 X5 M E70 4.4 liter V8 408 kW (555 PS) SAV 8,974
  • M1 - E26 Coupe
  • M3 - E30 Coupe/Cabriolet, E36 Coupe/Sedan/Cabriolet, E46 Coupe/Cabriolet, E92 Coupe/Cabriolet
  • M5 - E28 Sedan, E34 Sedan/Touring, E39 Sedan, E60 Sedan, E61 Touring
  • M635CSi/M6 - E24 Coupe
  • M6 - E63 Coupe, E64 Cabriolet (2005 to 7/2010)
  • M Coupe - E36/8 and E86 Coupe
  • M Roadster - E36/7 and E85 Roadster
  • 1M Coupe - E82 Coupe

M badged cars

All these cars are true BMW Motorsport models, not M-line sport models that bear BMW Motorsport features such as sport body kits, and interior specs.

  • E12 M535i (1979–1981) - Often considered the first mass production vehicle built by BMW Motorsport
  • E31 850CSi (1992–1996) - An M car in all but name; it had a BMW M–sourced engine and its VIN indicated that it was developed by BMW Motorsport, like all other M cars.[29]

Competition

Audi's S and RS models, Mercedes-Benz's AMG models, and more recently Lexus F model(s), are often reviewed in direct competition to a similarly-sized BMW M car, such as the Lexus IS-F vs. Audi RS4 vs. Mercedes C63 AMG vs. BMW M3.[30]

BMW M cars are still the best known in-house high performance derivatives, due to the longevity of their nameplates, and as they occupy the undisputed position at the top of their lineup from BMW. For instance, while the BMW M3 has always been the top-performing version of BMW's compact executive classification, their competition has either undergone designation changes or not been consistently produced. For instance the Audi RS4 has not been offered for every generation or sold in every market, and while earlier generations of the Audi S4 previously competed with the BMW M3, the current incarnation of the S4 has been moved downmarket and is now aimed at the BMW 335i. The C-Class's AMG performance variants are at the top of the C-Class lineup but they have had several different badges (C36, C43, C55, and C63).

BMW M also faces competition from several independent companies offering their own performance versions of BMW models; some performance packs can be retrofitted to existing cars while others are applied to new cars bought directly from BMW AG and converted prior to first registration. Such companies include Hamann Motorsport, Alpina, Dinan Cars, AC Schnitzer and Hartge. The fastest and most powerful BMW M conversions are made by German tuner G-Power, [citation needed] which holds several World speed records including the M5 Hurricane RR with 372.1 km/h (231.3 mph).

See also

References

  1. ^ Siuru, Bill (July 2012). "M At Forty". Roundel. 44 (7): 66–72. ISSN 0889-3225.
  2. ^ "2007 BMW Alpina B7 - Road Test - Auto Reviews". Car and Driver. Archived from the original on 21 August 2010. Retrieved 2010-08-27. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  3. ^ "Chicago 2010: BMW Alpina B7 Sedan Making a Comeback". Nitrobahn.com. 2010-02-11. Archived from the original on 14 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  4. ^ "2007 BMW ALPINA B7 Review by Cars.com Staff". Cars.com. 2007-05-02. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  5. ^ "2011 BMW 750Li Alpina B7 First Drive". Insideline.com. 2010-05-20. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  6. ^ "2011 BMW ALPINA B7 Reviews, Expert Car Reviews on AOL Autos". Autos.aol.com. Archived from the original on 26 July 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  7. ^ "2011 BMW M7". Leftlanenews.com. 2009-05-28. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  8. ^ Berkowitz, Justin (1 June 2012). "BMW Interested in M7 Version of Next-Gen 7-series". Car and Driver. Retrieved 4 June 2012.
  9. ^ a b "2005 BMW M5 vs. 2005 Mercedes-Benz e55 AMG - Full Metal Rockets - Luxury Road Test". Motor Trend. 2010-12-13. Archived from the original on 29 June 2011. Retrieved 2011-08-06. {{cite web}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  10. ^ a b BMW 760Li - First Drive Review - Car Reviews - Car and Driver
  11. ^ [1]
  12. ^ "INTERNATIONAL ENGINE OF THE YEAR 2010". Ukipme.com. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  13. ^ [2]
  14. ^ [3]
  15. ^ "Report: BMW's M division moving to four and six-cylinder turbos". Motorauthority.com. 2009-03-19. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  16. ^ 3 years ago (2008-11-28). "Future BMW M Cars Moving To Smaller Capacity Turbo Engines | Reviews | Prices | Australian specifications". Themotorreport.com.au. Retrieved 2011-08-06.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  17. ^ [4]
  18. ^ "2011 BMW 1 Series M vs 2011 BMW M3 Comparison". Motor Trend. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  19. ^ "Thoughts on the Upcoming BMW 1 Series M Coupe « Work, Wine and Wheels". Cparente.wordpress.com. 2010-12-14. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  20. ^ "2010 BMW M3 Coupe 4.0L V8 6-speed Manual Reviews". Edmunds.com. 2010-03-09. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  21. ^ "BMW introduces 440HP V6 engine from 2012 for the future M3". BMWCoop. 2010-11-12. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  22. ^ "Report: Next BMW M3 to Get 450-hp Twin-Turbo Six | AutoGuide.com News". Autoguide.com. 2010-03-23. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
  23. ^ "Audi 2013 vehicle lineup". Audi. Retrieved 4/2/2013. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |accessdate= (help)
  24. ^ Schmidt, Mike (2006-08-09). "Follow-Up Test: 2006 BMW 550i". Insideline.com. Retrieved 2012-05-25.
  25. ^ BMW trademarks M7, M10, M2, 2-Series and more
  26. ^ 2012 BMW M550d xDrive
  27. ^ <https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub/p/pcgl/pressDetail.html?outputChannelId=6&id=T0011958EN&left_menu_item=node__2251 Press Release: The BMW X5 M. The BMW X6 M.>
  28. ^ <http://www.topgear.com/uk/car-news/bmw-x5-x6-news-2009-04-06 Top Gear: M Battle>
  29. ^ "850CSi @". E31.net. Retrieved 2010-10-03.
  30. ^ "BMW M3 vs. Audi RS4 vs. Cadillac CTS-V vs. Lexus IS-F vs. Mercedes C63 AMG". The Truth About Cars. Retrieved 2011-08-06.
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