German Car Zone

I don't think anybody is suggesting they are to blame.

I don't think anybody is.

What?

I don't get it. No CS, but M versions of 2 suvs? Whatever or wherever the development is on these two M models are, they still don't do the BMW brand any more help image or money wise than the CS would have. This nonsense about the economy and the world is changing only goes so far when you cancel a sedan in favor of two 500 hp SUVs. That is a most specious argument to say the least. NONE of these products, M versions of the X6 or X5 or the CS are needed or suit the times now! What BMW enthusiasts are upset about is that BMW decided to cancel a gorgeous coupe/sedan in favor of some 500hp SUVs. That isn't very BMWish. A X6 M is going to be such a low volume car to begin with, ditto for the X5 M, only a little less so. If the CS is based on the 7-Series then the development wouldn't have bankrupted BMW either.

That said I understand the bottom line here ($$$$) about going with the products that are further along, but please don't try to tell us that the M versions of the X6 and X5 are the more socially acceptable products right now because they aren't. Period. BMW chose to save money plain and simple, but they're doing that in order to launch 2 pointless (in today's climate) vehicles in the shrinking suv market.


M

I'm very sad to hear those news.
I know It's the logical step for BMW considering the uncertain and hard future, especially for high end models that won't contribute much to the company's profits, but I think will do much for it's image.
BMW's image is indeed very strong, yet considering Mercedes has the SL, CL, high end AMGs, Black series models, gullwing model, SLR... and Audi has the R8 - which BMW doesn't have any answer for, it pretty lame IMO.
Profit and surviving is very important, but a company like BMW also needs a model to keep our souls warm ( ) and keep us proud against the above mentioned models from MB and Audi.
Canceling the CS and the Z8 is very economically driven - for the better and worse, but why the hell do we need so many SUVs ????????? (which BTW don't contribute that much to lowering the CO2 em.)
X1 will in the end of the day bring more money, but it will do little to the BMW image.
I would gladly loose the PAS (which IMO has little to contribute or offer between the 5 touring, the next X3 and the X5/X6) so we would get a CS concept based car or a Z8.

Finally, I would have really loved to see this car kicking MB's, Aston's and Porsche's A$$es







-> -> -> ->

Its too bad because this thing is miles ahead of the 7-Series in looks, inside and out.

M

Tragic! that car could easily murder the Panamera and Rapide in terms of looks

Hi Tarek .....I have been very busy

Which one is the 'other thread'?

Ahh BMW afraid of playing with the big boys.

J/K

While it sounds like a pretty logical step given the actual crisis, I strongly regreat that BMW is actually the least "daring" of the three. They have no real sporty flagship, no real halo-car. It's disappointing to say the least.

Furthermore, BMW invested quite a lot in this car (the head of Motorsport was given this task I believe), it surely was quite close to the production-ready testcars...

Well, too bad. The CS looks stunning..

Let's see how all this turns out. Im sure that if the situations gets better (say in 2010 for instance) the 8-Series will be reactivated.

Welcome back, Rob!

Today is a bad day for jokes