End of an Era at BMW’s M

The engines, they are a’changin’…

BMW’s M (motorsport) division, the folks responsible for high performance variants of their popular 3-series (M3) and 5-series (M5) among others, are preparing for a paradigm shift in their engine philosophy.

BMW’s highly sought-after M-cars have long been known for their high-revving, naturally aspirated engines. These powerplants lend a certain characteristic to all the M-cars, helping to create an invigorating and involving driving experience.

No more…

We’ll blame this on ever more difficult emissions standards, soaring production costs and a desire to be more fuel efficient.

The folks at BMW are about to introduce the first M vehicle powered by a twin-turbo V8, the X6 xDrive M. The new engine will supply 500 horsepower and 516 lb-ft of torque, and is predicted to move the X6 to 60 mph in less than 5-seconds – all this while using less fuel and having lower emissions. Future M models will be using this same or a variation of this engine.

While these technological advances are a good thing, we will miss the old-school days. For those purists among us, we recommend getting your hands on one of the current M5 or M6 cars which should be available for another year plus, or the new M3, which will be the last of the high rpm breed.