BMW has made some significant changes to its M car lineup in recent years, offering different grades and versions to cater to a variety of customer preferences. However, the company is now planning to streamline its offerings by eliminating the base grade and making the Competition grade the new entry point to the range. This information was revealed by BMW M chief Frank van Meel during the press launch for the 2024 i5 electric sedan.
The decision to drop the base grade and focus on the Competition grade is driven by customer demand. According to van Meel, most customers are already opting for the Competition grade over the base car. In fact, in some markets, the base grade isn’t even offered. Therefore, it makes sense for BMW to make the Competition grade the standard option for customers.
While the base grade will no longer be available, BMW has clarified that the future M cars won’t actually carry the Competition name. Instead, they will feature the same level of equipment and performance as the current Competition grade. This means that customers can still expect a high level of performance and luxury, even without the specific naming convention.
One potential consequence of this change is that the starting price of an M car may increase in the future. Without the base grade as a lower-priced option, customers will have to pay more to enter the M car range. However, considering the popularity of the Competition grade, it is likely that customers will be willing to pay the extra cost for the enhanced performance and features.
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In addition to the changes in the M car grades, BMW M is also making adjustments to its transmission options. Dirk Hacker, BMW M’s head of development, has confirmed that both manual and dual-clutch automatic transmissions will be phased out. Instead, a torque converter-based automatic transmission will become the sole option. This decision is partly influenced by the transmission’s compatibility with electrified vehicles and also due to suppliers starting to discontinue the alternative transmission options.
However, it is worth noting that depending on the market, some M car models like the M2, M3, and M4 can still be ordered with a manual transmission. This suggests that BMW is still recognizing the demand for manual transmissions among some of its enthusiast customers.
Overall, these changes in the BMW M car lineup reflect the evolving preferences of customers and the company’s commitment to providing the best performance and driving experience. By focusing on the popular Competition grade and introducing a single transmission option, BMW aims to streamline its offerings and ensure that every M car delivers the highest level of performance and luxury.
