With rival Mercedes rolling out all-wheel drive for almost all of its high-performance AMG models, BMW‘s M division is taking notice.
“As long as we get the power down to the ground like we do with the M3 and M4 we can probably do without the additional weight that any all wheel drive system brings to the table,” says Carsten Pries, Head of Product Management for BMW’s M Division.
“You wouldn’t want to add another 80 kg (176 lbs),” he says, commenting on how hard BMW’s engineers worked to shed that much weight compared to the previous generation model. Then, he says, you’d just be back at the car’s starting weight, which you worked so hard to move away from.
For models above those two, the BMW executive’s answer isn’t quite the same. “If we see further increases in terms of horsepower in segments above the M3 and M4 that’s obviously something we need to look at. ”
Weight is also a significant factor. “In segments where the base models are heavier the weight plays a different role,” he said. “Even if you take 80 kg out of an X5 or X6 it may not make a completely different driving experience, whereas if you do this on the 3 or 4 series this takes you into a different league in terms of agility and performance.”
Pries never specifically mentioned the M5 or M6, both f which weigh right around 4,400 lbs, but don’t be surprised if the next-gen M5 leaves Rear-wheel drive behind.
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