BMW M GmbH Head Friedrich Nitschke
In an interview for Car and Driver, BMW M CEO Friedrich Nitschke reveals some of M DivisionΆs future plans.
Without giving away too much or strongly confirming any upcoming products, Dr. Nitschke alludes to some interesting updates for the new M3 and M4 models in regards to electromechanical power steering.
“Without confirming any product speculation, it is safe to assume that we will offer electromechanical power steering in the future,” says Dr. Nitschke. “The technology is now fully on par with a good hydraulic power-steering system.” In regards to the topic on naturally aspirated engines versus the new turbocharged technology, the M boss says that even with turbos the redline can be quite high, a limit that can be pushed either by the M Division or aftermarket tuners.
M GmbH will go away from producing unique engines like this naturally aspirated 5.0-liter V-10 in favor of mills based on BMW Group powerplants.
At the press launch of the M6 Gran Coupe in Munich, we had the chance to sit down with the head of M GmbH, Friedrich Nitschke. In an unusually open interview, he answered questions about a number of items both worrying and exciting: electromechanical power steering, all-wheel drive, and perhaps even three-cylinder engines.
Car and Driver: The current M3 was fitted with a unique M engine. Will future vehicles be derived from existing BMW engines, or will you continue to afford yourself the luxury of bespoke M engines, like the naturally aspirated V-8 and V-10?
Friedrich Nitschke: At the core of their architecture, our engines will be closer to BMW AG engines. But they will be optimized for the specific needs of M customers, so we can still essentially speak of standalone engines.
C/D: Will you remain committed to high-revving engines despite turbocharging?
FN: Our V-8 turbo engines can easily top 7000 rpm, and it is safe to assume that there is room beyond that.
C/D: Will the upcoming M3 and M4 be fitted with electromechanical power steering?
FN: Without confirming any product speculation, it is safe to assume that we will offer electromechanical power steering in the future. The technology is now fully on par with a good hydraulic power-steering system.
C/D: Is it still possible to order a current-generation M3?
SourceFN: Actually, it is sold out. We will build the coupe and the cabriolet for about another half year, but on principle, the cars are spoken for.
C/D: At Audi, all-wheel drive is at the core of the RS models, and now Mercedes-Benz AMG is launching all-wheel-drive models as well. Will you follow suit?
FN: We discuss the topic with our customers in a regular fashion, and it emerges that they are very happy with rear-wheel drive. For those who think otherwise, we offer the X5 M and X6 M and our M Performance models.
C/D: So you are ruling out all-wheel drive for the regular M models?
FN: Yes, at least for the current model generation. Of course, we will re-evaluate the topic when we define the next-generation M5. But that is a long way down the road.
C/D: Do you believe that driving dynamics would suffer from all-wheel drive?
FN: We are convinced that would be the case. An all-wheel-drive system means 150 to 200 pounds more weight, and a clear loss of precision in steering. Ultimately, the competition between the brands would be narrowed to straight-line performance. And, by the way, we do not believe that this would be a sustainable approach. C/D: M5 and M6 are relatively heavy cars. What about the upcoming, more-compact models?
FN: The weight of the M5 and M6 is on a level with the competition. But it is safe to assume that a lightweight approach is at the core of our business, and there will be an unconventional mix of materials where you wonΆt necessarily expect it.
C/D: BMW is working on a compact vehicle architecture that will be fitted with three-cylinder engines. Is that a topic of discussion for you as well?
FN: The three-cylinder is an attractive engine. It is possible to reach around 185 to 200 horsepower per liter in a forced-induction three-cylinder and we have 1.5 liters of displacement. Such an engine, which, by the way, sounds very similar to a six-cylinder engine, would have over 310 horsepower. And we are not even at the limit there. Generally speaking, I could imagine such an engine.
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