There are models that feature the M logo, but aren't full M cars, just regular BMWs that are faster and a little sportier than lower trims. This history is enough to make you think BMW will put the M name on just about anything. That's not the case, though. According to Australian automotive news outlet CarExpert, there are certain things M won't do, and some surprising things that it might.
Light, Extra-Special CS SUVs Are Out, But Off-Road Could Be In
CarExpert took part in an online roundtable with the head of BMW M, Frank van Meel in which he discussed two interesting things. First, while BMW makes and sells loads of M-branded SUVs, especially now, M won't do a CS version like it does with cars. Instead, those special models will only be available on cars, saying that it fits the company's history and makes more sense than on an SUV.
The second is perhaps more interesting, though. Frank Van Meel was asked about the possibility of an off-road M model, and he apparently was open to the idea. He cited the fact that BMW M's history is in motorsport, and motorsport obviously extends off-road. A particular quote brings up a catch, though:
"I don’t think it’s [an off-road M model] a contradiction because, in Paris-Dakar, if you look at the race cars, they’re quite performance-driven cars as well. So, if there would be a segment like that, I wouldn’t say no."
That makes it pretty clear that van Meel feels BMW needs a vehicle that's designed with more serious off-roading in mind for BMW M to do something along those lines. M won't just throw some all-terrain tires and plastic cladding on something to make an existing model rugged, nor will it be turning a BMW coupe into a Raptor fighter.
BMW Might Be Working On Just The Right Product
Reportedly, BMW is working on a new SUV with the code name of G74, and it may be an off-road-oriented model aimed at models like the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. How close it gets to that target is certainly an open question, especially as it's also supposed to be based on the next-generation X5 platform. That wouldn't be the first platform we'd think of for building an off-road vehicle, but we've seen companies do amazing things with platforms we wouldn't expect.
Either way, if it turns out to be a particularly rugged (by BMW standards) SUV, M might actually have the base needed to make a hot SUV for the dirt. Even if we assume the G74 could become M's first off-road machine, it will still be a long ways away. The G74 isn't due until 2029, and any kind of M variant would come out later so as not to overshadow the initial reveal, and likely because M would need to do some development work.
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