Despite BMW having a bit of a bad rep here at Kerbside, we do like the brand.
BMW has brought us some of the most well-engineered cars ever, and through their commitment to maintain a sort of minimum standard of dynamic competence across most models in their range, help set it apart from rivals Audi and Mercedes. Even the dreariest BMW 3-Series packs a significant dynamic punch, with a chassis that emphasises positive kinematics and driver engagement.
BMW also is no stranger to making special performance cars. The M2, M3 and M5 have all come to define ubiquitous front-engine rear drive performance, and their identities have remained far better defined that those of Mercedes’ AMG and Audi’s RS models. Despite this performance know-how, BMW has consistently has shied away from making a proper sportscar.
Instead, it chooses to imbue its mainstream models with supernatural performance to both shock and enthral. M-cars thrive on that surely-these-can’t-be-related sensation that one gets when comparing how an M3 drives with a 320d.
Obviously budgets and that catchall economies of scale, are the reason why, but we think there is an air of deniability by choosing standard models to transform into sports vehicles. Whenever a BMW M8 is beaten by a 911 Turbo in a group test, BMW can wash their hands and say, “but our car is based on a big heavy GT – it cannot beat a thoroughbred sportscar, but it can carry more people in comfort.”
So, what if BMW was to build a proper sportscar? Strangely enough, this was something the Bavarian’s considered back in the mid-2010s.
The 8-Series was about to be reintroduced, and to allow the big 8 to be the top of the tree GT, the 6 series was having its operating parameters redefined. The 6-Series was to become a 911 rival. BMW wasn’t just sticking its head inside the tiger’s mouth just for the heck of it, but because rival Mercedes had encroached on the Porsche 911’s patch with its AMG GT coupe.
Reports at the time detailed how the Z4’s chassis could be expanded, in length and width, in order to create a car that was similar in proportion to the AMG GT. Would it be powered by a 6-cylinder engine or a V8? Who knows.
Obviously in 2023, this project has not and never did reach fruition, as in 2017 we received the G32-generation 6-Series. When deciding to write this post on this topic, I did reach a point where I completely forgot the G32 6-Series even existed. This tells you all you need to know. It’s a forgettable and stodgy car.
But what if BMW had followed through? In recent years, they’ve showed us they’ve got loads more performance car mojo than we ever gave them credit for. The M2 CS, M3 CS, M4 GTS, M5 CS and M4 CSL are all deeply impressive cars, but they lack that true bespoke feeling that only a car that was born a sportscar can achieve. Yes, the M4 CSL is an impressive bit of kit, but it’s still a G82 4-Series at heart. It’s too long, slab-sided and heavy, but BMW’s product strategy would never allow a proper supercar-quick model to exist.
The M8 Competition is massively fast, but too big and even the latest 3.0 CSL is still a 4-series at heart. BMW seems to be happy in its position: never charge more than £120,000 for a non-limited performance car, and call it a day. Over 600 horsepower, but still based on something a little more pedestrian.
BMW has fallen into somewhat of a rut, and much like Audi, it lacks the gusto to create something properly spicy. Mercedes on the other hand, have doubled-down on their AMG GT. After the AMG GT, came the GTR and then the GTR Pro, and finally, the swansong £300,000 AMG GTR Black Series.
That is how you make a sportscar. Yes, the S-Class coupe was technically the higher-ranking vehicle, but Mercedes instead pursued the AMG GT’s dynamic prowess and chose it to be their halo car.
If only BMW would release a proper sportscar, and who knows what could happen.
Kerbside 