BMW sees M front-wheel drive cars as the biggest challenge

BMW embraces front-drive cars, and there are few enthusiasts or brand loyalists who can do to stop the tide. The FAAR front-drive architecture of BMW is here to stay – and it spawns several new models. While the Bavarian automaker is expanding its portfolio of anti-enthusiasm machines, BMW's M sport division does not hold the idea of ​​imposing an M badge on them and increasing their performance.

The front-wheel-drive architecture is almost the opposite of the feel of a BMW M. C & # 39; s is as well as the boss Frank Van Meel M told me when he spoke with CarAdvice.com.au .

"This challenge is the biggest challenge because we want to have a typical M feeling that goes more naturally with propulsion," he said when the publication spoke with him . the launch of the M2 and M5 competitions in Spain this week. "If you want to do that with front-wheel drive, I think that's the biggest challenge you can have."

However, Van Meel noted that M would not completely ignore the segment. In recent years, M has created a lower performing M Performance lineup to serve as an entry-level offering to the hardcore brand M. He stated that these M Performance front-wheel drive vehicles are less hot than those that "M" car enthusiasts have come to know and love.

"The segment is great for us and of course it's very attractive, it's the entry-level segment of M," Van Meel said. "The question is what type of M and what cars in this segment would fit."

For now, BMW M fans do not have to worry about the fact that BMW is tarnishing the legendary performance mark for the moment. The front-wheel drive architecture is hard to infuse with the proven MR performance DNA. Then, the new BMW M5 has moved from rear-wheel drive to AWD for anything to be possible. If BMW decided to make front-wheel drive M models, they could get a power-operated rear axle, which would certainly contribute to the fun.