The automotive press has long reported BMW’s not-so-secret plans to rival the Mercedes SL-Class with a high-performance luxury successor to its Z8 roadster. But another successor to an equally iconic BMW may also be in the works — an “M10″ design to follow in the footsteps of the M1 supercar.
Powered by an up-rated version of the company’s popular 5.0 liter V10 engine, the M10 would take on the Audi R8 and Porsche 911, according to Germany’s Auto Zeitung.
BMW reportedly considered using a mid-engine layout, but instead elected to stick with what it knows best: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive. So far, development has been handled exclusively by BMW’s M division, the report says.
One key distinction between the M10 and Z9 projects is weight. While the Z9 will focus on luxury and feature a folding metal roof, the M10 will come with a fixed roof only, with low weight being the focus of the program. According to the sources, the M10 will weigh under 3000 pounds thanks to exotic materials like carbon fiber and magnesium.
Styling is said to be inspired by the BMW CS Concept, which offers a glimpse of the automaker’s future design direction. Whether the CS four-door-coupe will see production itself remains a mystery. Auto Bild recently reported series production of the CS is unlikely.
05/29, 8:32 AM
posted by:
PrimeGTP
BMW has way too many models these days, but this one sounds like a keeper.
05/29, 8:38 AM
posted by:
Madcapp
I’d rather see BMW put out a new M1 based off the new 1 series coupe and convertible.
05/29, 9:07 AM
posted by:
LovemyAP2
An M1 based off the 1series coupe is already coming. I can see it now, Audi R10 vs BMW M10…
05/29, 10:42 AM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
————->man, BMW///M10, Audi R10, 911 GT2, doggon-it, porsche know good&well they need to make a Cayman RS…
05/29, 11:08 AM
posted by:
2008PowerStrokeF450Lariat
…sweet…
05/29, 11:32 AM
posted by:
shahedc
Cayman RS? Have you seen the Ruf Cayman S?
~shahedc
.
05/29, 11:55 AM
posted by:
hfry
BA! M1…… BMW’s Super Car?
05/29, 11:55 AM
posted by:
Kenny W
Ruf =! Porsche, that would be like saying Ford doesn’t need the Mustang GT because Saleen has the S281. I really like the idea of a new M1, but I’m starting to agree with PrimeGTP. Their product line up is damn near perfect but recently they’ve been going Mercedes Benz on us.
05/29, 12:34 PM
posted by:
Syrax
BMW going binary now…M1, M10, M10011010111
05/29, 1:11 PM
posted by:
snoboardguy21
Syrax… just hilarious.
05/29, 1:19 PM
posted by:
1c3d0g
ROFL…Syrax!
05/29, 1:23 PM
posted by:
rey323
Awesome!
05/29, 1:59 PM
posted by:
LP640
_____________SRT-4 Ken, the porshce cayman S is a brilliant car. the only thing thats stopping it from getting any better is the existence of the 911. if it wasnt for the existence of the 911 then the cayman would be right up there with the F430 & M5 and yes, the Z10 is the successor and 21st century revival to the 1970/1980’s BMW M1
05/29, 2:19 PM
posted by:
SRT-4Ken
————>LOL SYRAX!
05/29, 3:06 PM
posted by:
AdamT
I love BMWs, and this will no doubt be a rad vehicle.
But when a project focuses on weight and manages to put out a vehicle under 3000 lbs I have to be kinda sad. 3000 pounds? It’s a coupe, right? I’d trade a handful of cylinders and 150 hp to get 700 lbs taken off.
05/29, 3:08 PM
posted by:
CTS DRIVER
a2 a3 a4 a6 a8 a10 g5 g6 g8 h1 h2 h3 m3 m5 m6 m10
BINGO I WIN, WHERES MY COOKIE?
05/29, 3:13 PM
posted by:
Stuart
They find it hard selling the 6-series, how on earth do they reckon they can make this sell. You want style buy the small Aston, you want power buy a Porsche 911 and if you want refinement and luxury then buy a Merc SL. What is BMW gonna do to make the Z9 so special.
05/29, 4:11 PM
posted by:
Egbert Souse
BMW has way too many models?? How about Mercedes?
05/29, 5:23 PM
posted by:
Toy Yoda
Ruf’s != Porsche is right. Ruf > Porsche.
Seriously, the Ruf/Studio Torino Cayman S is really gorgeous.
I like to see BMW come up with a three cars. One ’super Z’ in the tradition of the Z8. The next two mid engine version of their Z car, and a mid-engine version of the M6, minus the laughable back seats.
05/29, 6:13 PM
posted by:
Ian
sounds exciting!!! can’t wait to see what they come out with
05/29, 11:32 PM
posted by:
cftisa
I’d like to se them come up with a supercar that’s original like the way only Beemer does. I don’t want them to start copying the R8 and 911 Turbo and SL
05/30, 7:40 AM
posted by:
deantj
??? So what’s the Z9’s target competition?
I guess the M10 goes to war with the 911 turbo and F430? And the Z9 goes up against the Benz SL coupes?
This is way too confusing.
05/30, 11:37 AM
posted by:
GT2fanatic
I recon a new M1 would be good for BMW, but why the heck should they want to go to war with the 911 or the F430. BMW makes sporty cars, but no supercars like the F430 or the 911 turbo.
06/02, 2:42 AM
posted by:
silvadragon
Whats with the german companies nowadays its just becoming too confusing with too many models now. M3. M6. M5. Z4M, 335i, Audi R8, A6, RS6. A4, S4, RS4, its just confusing couldn’t they just do it honda style? Integra, Integra luxury, Integra Type-S. END OF STORY
Not the A4 1.8T A4 2.0L A4 blah blah blah blah blah
11/09, 6:52 AM
posted by:
M6onelove
bullseye.. egbert souse is wright… you are all talking about how many models BMW has…..
while mercedes( i dislike merc) has a 100 of them, making no sence…. with BMW you know what you have… BMW 520xd is ((5)20) 5-series with (5(2.0)) 2.0 liter engine that runs on (x) four wheels on(d) diesel… ///M Power