BMW reconfirms M will adopt hybrid technology

A BMW executive has said the brand will inject hybrid technology into its M cars at a press conference this week, echoing the news that sent shockwaves through the performance car world late last year.

Andreas Klugescheid, BMW’s Vice President of Governmental Affairs was in Melbourne to talk all things electrification with local stake holders as the brand ramps up sales of zero-emissions vehicles by the year 2025.

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But during his speech were a few key comments that touched on the future of BMW M and electrification. “With i, is BMW losing its DNA? I think no, we haven’t,” he said, “people are still enthusiastic about an i3 and still drive an M550i.”

He then went further to hint the two philosophies might not strictly exist in parallel.

“So is BMW going to move away from high-performance sports cars,” he continued, “into something that is different? Whichever way we move we are adding, that is the important message, to the formula that we all know.”

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Klugescheid clarified the statement to MOTOR following the presentation, saying that while the brands will remain in silos in public, there will be interaction between the two behind the scenes.

We understand that because I and M’s engineering departments work in close quarters, under the larger push for further hybridisation there will be collaboration between the two.

When asked whether that will see M technology woven into specialised eco-cars like the newly revealed i8, or the other way around, he confirmed it would be latter, with M cars set to welcome batteries and electric motors.

The comments come less eight months since Dirk Hacker, M’s second-in-command, revealed to Autocar that BMW are working on a “very precise technical solution” to weaving electrification into its M cars.

Mercedes-AMG and Porsche are currently the only German mainstream high-performance brands that have revealed performance hybrids. AMG will launch its Project One this year while Porsche currently sells the Panamera Turbo S E-Hybrid.

BMW launched its i range in 2013, beginning with the hatch i3 and then expanded its appeal with the hybrid sportscar, the i8, a year later.

This week BMW revealed its updated i8 coupe and new i8 Roadster, the latter of which comes available in Donnington Grey. The first non-M car to ever be offered in the hue.