Should They? BMW Considering Building An Audi R8 And Mercedes-AMG Competitor

The product boss of BMW's M performance division, Carsten Pries, has indicated a softening of BMW's stance towards building a junior supercar as a rival to the Audi R8 and the new Mercedes-AMG GT.

Such a car would also act as the spiritual successor to the original M car, the M1, from 1978. M division has a long-held desire to follow the lead of Mercedes-AMG and create a junior supercar, but until now parent company BMW has remained unconvinced of the business case.

However, the arrival of BMW's 'i' sub-brand and the performance potential of the hybrid technology found under the skin of the BMW i8 has raised the prospect of the idea being revisited.
 

TheSteve - 11/20/2014 1:27:58 PM

+1 Boost

Isn't the BMW i8 already a "junior supercar", able to compete against Audi's R8 and Mercedes-AMG GT?

MDarringer - 11/20/2014 7:51:35 PM

-2 Boost

#delusional

Yonder7 - 11/20/2014 4:07:52 PM

+1 Boost

No, there is no such thing....but I hope the build one......for our benefit.

Dr550 - 11/20/2014 5:47:31 PM

+1 Boost

BMW please forget a about Porsche. X7, luxury 8-series coupe and 9-series are needed. I am keeping my 2012 X5 until I see how the new X7 looks. So close to getting a MB GL. Older BMW buyers need comfort, space, and more luxury. Better quality materials for interior.

85bmw745i - 11/21/2014 10:29:10 PM

+1 Boost

I got a GL350 bluetec. I wish BMW made a 7 seater, because their diesel is more powerful. However, I love our GL. doesn't drive like a big SUV like My LR3 did.

runninglogan1 - 11/20/2014 11:40:03 PM

+1 Boost

Yes please! I long for the day when we'll see a true successor to the M1!

iamdabest1 - 11/21/2014 1:00:17 AM

+1 Boost

i think the i8 is great, and is very cool.
i could totally see someone cross shopping the i8 and r8 ( 4.2) right now but anyone who wants a better sound and better driving experience i think would take the r8 over the i8.
if bmw were to make an M version of the i8 i think that could work to truly compete with the others, but less of a focus on the hybrid/ electric stuff.

TomM - 11/21/2014 7:48:04 AM

+2 Boost

There is no Volume in that car area - so it would be only for show - why do it?

AS Bmw noted - the market is shrinking for Sports Cars. Eventually - that is likely to spread to small sports sedans - which is BMW's major market. Mercedes has already addressed this by moving the C class upscale and more to the Luxury side - while having AMG producing the sports model.

I think eventually - BMW will have to address the car market for Small Luxury cars first.

cidflekken - 11/22/2014 12:51:26 AM

+1 Boost

Not that their sales are suffering, but their reputation certainly is. The 3 Series was finally knocked off C&D's 10Best after 22 consecutive years (though the M235i made the list). A halo sports car and its trickle-down effect can help then regain some ground as "The Ultimate Driving Machine". They definitely can't have another failure like the Z8 and they need better styling than the i8.