BMW M cars to go hybrid
German brand announces plans to offer hybrid power in its go-fast models.
BMW is following in the footsteps of Porsche by announcing electrification of its go-fast models.
The Bavarian automaker has told British publication, Autocar, that it would offer hybrid power in it vaunted M cars in the future.
Vice president of BMW M, Dirk Hacker, stressed that the M cars wouldn't watered down version of the current crop but that the M cars would still be developed with performance as a main focus.
“Adding mass to performance cars is never ideal,” Hacker explained. “But if we can use electrification to install more performance, then we start to have the answers.”
“That might be more speed, or it might be the ability for a car to be driven on electric power in a city.”
Hacker also pointed out that rapid advancements of battery and electric motor technology has opened the door to even better solutions for M products, however, he also went on to state that internal combustion engines would remain at the heart of the company's products for as long as legislation would allow.
A move to hybridisation would be the latest in a long-line of changes impacting M models.
The division, once famed for high-revving naturally aspirated engines and rear-wheel drive dynamics has over time added turbocharging, all-wheel drive and even SUVs to its range, and while purists may baulk at the changes BMW’s sales figures prove that the changes have done no harm.
No timeline has been given for the introduction of hybrid M cars, but with governments around the world creating stricter emissions regulations a performance hybrid system offers BMW an opportunity to keep both legislators and consumers happy.