German Car Zone

So what if they aren't, you make BMW sound as lame as Toyota with all this profit/sales jive. As long as the project is profitable and provides a proper lust object for the brand that is all you need. Everything doesn't need this stick-in-the-mud "rationale" to be done. If they can build one at a profit, then what is the problem?

MB is building one because they can and they want to expand the business. BMW's image wouldn't be hurt one bit if they built a supercar, it would only be helped and in the world of true sports cars (Porsche, Ferrari, Lamborghini) they need just as much of an image booster as Mercedes-Benz does since they have no standing there. A M3 won't cut it against that group and no amount of excuse making will change that. BMW is supposed to be the sportiest of the 3 German luxury car makes right? Then why not a supercar? This whole image argument doesn't hold water when I see folks glossing over how many suvs and crossovers BMW is going to develop. Those vehicles don't fit the image at all, no matter what the BMW marketing department comes up with.

What I can't get over here is that you seem to be the only one against BMW doing a supercar when its most ardent fans want to really see what BMW can do with a blank sheet of paper and a sports car brief on the table. I don't get that at all.

BMW + Supercar = natural IMO.

Isn't the M1 part of the Hold Grail at BMW?

Furthermore, BMW isn't Toyota. BMW runs a very tight (and profitable) ship like Toyota but that is where the similarities end. BMW is the enthusiasts brand, not some design by committee warehouse like Toyota. That is unless you're telling me the great BMW can't figure out how to build a supercar at a profit? Don't they sell enough 3-Series to fund any and everything else? J/K .

M

Lol it really is pathetic you must admit eni..
if the M1 is one of BMW's crown jewels..

No1 Premium car brand.. and a history of sports.. equalls Supercar..
no matter how you twist it..

PS
MB makes supercars..cause they always have..and its a part of their past present and future..

Again: currently there is no rational reason for supercar in BMW model portfolio. Yes, after Rover debacle BMW AG have become very rational company. When image bosst will be needed, I'm sure BMW management will consider building a supercar.

Usually supercars are built to increase brand recognition & awareness. BMW do not need that at this moment. Consider supercar as a marketing tool!

Note also that "supercars" are usually collector items, not used for racing or day-to-day driving. And BMW are aware of that. Putting tones of Euros in Supercar R&D, so the car then sits in eg. Jay Leno's garage.

BMW marketing activities are focused on other more important actions. Eg. there is a consensus to expand M model line, and offer additional CSL versions - more appropriate in marketing & financial point of view. Also what BMW needs now is an image boost in luxury segments: so a big roadster (new Z8) and new 8er (CS Concept based coupe-sedan) are a priority.

More in the other thread ...

Broken record Eni. None of those reasons jive with BMW being an enthusiast company that can see the need for more SUVs and crossovers, but not a super/sports car. It doesn't make sense. As far as BMW not following or needing an image booster, the CS, a large CLS type car, makes them a follower and such a car is definitely an image booster. A new Z8 isn't going to all of sudden make a whole lot more money for BMW, but it will do wonders for their image among sports car fans, again the same thing a true sports or supercar would do. You're talking in circles Eni and contradicting the BMW rhetoric here.

M

New shots will less disguised front.

The front looks like AM and the side profile looks like a corvette!

That sure is a nice Corviper!

Even better!

Looks like a Viper, Corvette and Jaguar XK all wrapped into one. I'm starting to doubt if this is a Mercedes at all.

M