BMW rumor mill: a smaller Roller? a bigger M-Series?

[mikeyb]

The skies over Germany were full of trial balloons this week, as BMW chairman Helmut Panke has been teasing the German press with possible new products. In an interview with auto motor und sport (rough English translation here), Panke alludes to several possible new BMW models:

• an M7? An M-version of BMW's 7-Series would be positioned against Mercedes' S63 AMG. Panke says market demand for an M7 is particularly strong in the U.S.
• a baby Phantom? With a fully-equipped long wheelbase 7-Series coming in at around $215,000, and the Phantom selling for about $460,000, Panke believes there could well be a potential market at a $300,000 price point. However, he doesn't think that this luxo-model should be a BMW, which suggests that a smaller Rolls might be in the cards.
• a Z8 successor? BMW didn't set the world on fire with its upmarket sports car, but Panke still sees an unserved sports car market segment waiting to be tapped by the right BMW product.

[Source: auto motor und sport]

 

[Jliao]

I wonder who's the BMW management now. Sooner or later M engine won't be special anymore...

 

[FSDET]

I wonder who's the BMW management now. Sooner or later M engine won't be special anymore...

And why is that ?

 

[FSDET]

a baby Phantom? With a fully-equipped long wheelbase 7-Series coming in at around $215,000, and the Phantom selling for about $460,000, Panke believes there could well be a potential market at a $300,000 price point. However, he doesn't think that this luxo-model should be a BMW, which suggests that a smaller Rolls might be in the cards.

Talking about the m7 being 215 fully loaded right ?

 

[Jliao]

Well. Considering M engine technology are used on certain model of cars, mainly 5 and 3 series. Now it seems every BMW lines are coming out with M engine. Think of this way, imagine having STi type of engine on every Subaru line, then what so special about wrx sti? Nonethless, that's just my opinion.

 

[Rally Ninja]

I see your point, look at the Chevy SS line, deluted and not that special no more.

 

[spike blue]

Well. Considering M engine technology are used on certain model of cars, mainly 5 and 3 series. Now it seems every BMW lines are coming out with M engine. Think of this way, imagine having STi type of engine on every Subaru line, then what so special about wrx sti? Nonethless, that's just my opinion.

totally agree with you!!!

 

[JDM_familia]

how bout AMG for benz's? its working really well for them.

 

[Cellerator]

It's Mercedes benz, they need every little bit they can get since they're ratings have sorta slipped...

 

[FSDET]

Well. Considering M engine technology are used on certain model of cars, mainly 5 and 3 series. Now it seems every BMW lines are coming out with M engine. Think of this way, imagine having STi type of engine on every Subaru line, then what so special about wrx sti? Nonethless, that's just my opinion.

There used to be a m6,m5,m3,m1 in the 80s and m8 in the 90s.
but there has yet to be an m7.. anyways they are fast cars targeted for diffrent markets..