Gas-Powered M Models Aren’t Going Anywhere Anytime Soon

[King_of_lion]

Don’t hold your breath on an all-electric BMW M carby Tudor Rus, on December 2, 2019, 11:00BMW M is well aware of the fact that electrification is now a matter of when, and not if. Yet while Munich’s performance division admits its competitors are becoming better and better at harnessing the powers of electricity, it won’t jump the sporty EV bandwagon.In fact, BMW M will keep on doing its thing with gasoline-powered ICEs (Internal Combustion Engines) until all-electric technology evolves to the point where it suits the division’s creed and doesn’t add that much extra weight to its vehicles.

    BMW M is staying true to its book of sportiness laws for the time being and won’t consider the development of all-electric performance-oriented cars.The statement comes from BMW M’s manager of product Carsten Pries who had a chat with Australia’s Cars Guide. While speaking to the said outlet, Mr. Pries was very adamant that his department “would still be making petrol cars for quite some time.”The rationale behind that strategy is quite simple.BMW M is still highly interested in aspects such as agility, weight reduction, and handling, and it’s the company’s belief that an electric drivetrain will add unnecessary weight especially through its battery pack.

What BMW M is trying to say here is that once the industry finds a way to design lighter batteries, the possibility of using such a technology inside an M car will be re-evaluated. Until then, the M division will “watch the new technology very closely, to look when it will qualify, when it will be worthy.”Another argument brought in favor of the decision not to adopt electrification just yet comes from BMW’s deep motorsport roots.“So yes, we look at Porsche, but the key factor is what do we stand for, and we’re very much about motorsport, so the decision to build an EV would have to suit that image,”added Carsten Pries.So, No Sporty Electric Cars From BMW, Then?

We don’t think that sticking to your legacy is a bad thing, and neither is adopting new technology. BMW M has decided to stick with internal combustion engines for the time being and we’re sure most of its fan base will jump for joy. We know we are. The only thing that BMW M must watch out for, however, has to do with being left behind by the competition. Porsche’s already out with the Taycan and the Model 3 is a traffic-light race favorite, so those looking for an EV that’s also performance-capable will head to these two instead of BMW M.What’s more, Mercedes-Benz has been playing with mild-hybrid systems for some of its cars, and it might not be long before Mercedes-AMG follows suit. In this context, BMW M’s decision to stick to gasoline power could prove risky should the global EV customer base increase, which in turn is bound to generate more interest for electric/electrified performance in the detriment of gas-guzzling powertrains. If that happens, Munich’s M arm could find itself alone, trapped in an obscure niche, and outsold by its rivals.Source: Cars Guide