The person in charge of BMW M, Frank van Meel, guaranteed something that will calm the spirits of the followers of the brand. The division of the German brand that produces the most exciting sports cars will continue betting on models that combine emotion and a comfortable and spacious interior., as is the case of the M3. However, it does not guarantee that the next generation of this sports family will be powered by a combustion engine, as before, or opt for battery-powered electric mechanics.
Frank van Meel does not seem worried about the future, this being one of the conclusions that can be drawn from the statements he gave to the British Autocar, where he not only promised that models like the M3 will continue to be part of the brand’s range. , but also the philosophy of these sports cars will continue to be respectedthat is to say, a lot of enjoyment, a lot of space and (relatively) low costs.
Meel refers to the M3 as a model with a long and enviable track record, surviving the evolution from four-cylinder to six-cylinder engines, then jumping to eight-cylinders and finally twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engines. But it was here that the man at the helm of the BMW M opened the door for the next M3 to be 100% electric. continuing to ensure that it would continue to be a worthy successor to the familiar sports car.
Frank van Meel has no problem admitting that “he would love to see electrified M models, whether they are hybrids or 100% electric.” Adding later: “But if we go ahead with them, everyone will say it’s crazy and this is what we didn’t expect.” This opening to electric motorization in models that have always used combustion engines led Meel to state that this option will not be a problemonce “Between 90% and 95% of our customers do not want to know in which direction we are going with our engines, they just need a BMW M”. Despite admitting that there are indeed customers who prefer V8s, which BMW respects, with the certainty that there will also be more technologywho prefer the greater potential of electric vehicles.
Source: Observadora
