BMW Motorsport is preparing a sports car with four electric motors

BMW M or — Motorsport —, the performance and sports car division of the brand with the propeller, has existed for 50 years. The oldest among us remember the fabulous M1 supercar (1978), with a solid track record, but a commercial failure. She was even one of the stars of the comic strip Alain Chevalliercreated in the 1970s by Christian Denayer (drawing) and André-Paul Duchâteau (script).

Since then, apart from the saga of the M3 (E36 and E46 generations), M5 (E60 V10) and recently the M2 Coupé, the M1 is still looking for a descendant worthy of the name. Purists will say that the M4 CSL does the job admirably, without having the particular look of the M1.

However, we thought hard as iron to hold the M1 of the 21st century with the BMW Vision M Next, a hybrid supercar unveiled at the Frankfurt Motor Show in June 2019. But the hope was short-lived since, in May 2020, BMW ended the development program.

There are many reasons for this sudden stop. Mention is made of a production cost that is too high, with unrealistic sales estimates (out of the question of reproducing the “failure” of the i8, which only sold 20,000 copies), and the current world economic situation, brought to the ground by the coronavirus pandemic. At the time, the German manufacturer preferred to focus on the electrification of “classic” vehicles, namely 25 connected models (electric or plug-in hybrid) by 2025.

Yes, but here it is, this forced electrification allowed BMW Motorsport to produce the – supercharged – i4 M50 and the iX M60 SUV, while waiting for the i7 M60 and therefore to revive the idea of ​​a supercar. Thus, BMW Motorsport has announced that it is working on a prototype whose bodybuilder body looks like an M3, even if it is far from the design of the M1. A trained eye will notice that the air intakes, both at the level of the XXL grille and the bumpers, are not blocked, as on any classic electric vehicle.

This rolling laboratory is based on a BMW i4 M50 base, on which has been grafted a new powertrain consisting of four electric motors, positioned on each wheel. These motors are associated with a driving dynamics control system where each of the wheels is independently controlled and receives the appropriate power. “calculated in milliseconds from the values ​​of accelerator pedal position, steering angle, longitudinal and lateral acceleration, wheel speeds and other parameters”. These signals are transmitted “via a multi-disc clutch and differentials to the four motors, which are able to implement them immediately and precisely”.

With this new architecture allowing a “knowledgeable dosage” engine torque, “significantly higher cornering speeds can be achieved even on wet or snow-covered roads”. In addition, “The performance character of the new propulsion system is also evident in the recovery of braking energy. (…) The four motors can take on the function of a generator when braking before a bend, for example, and feed electricity back into the high-voltage battery.”

A possible partnership with McLaren?

If BMW Motorsport seems satisfied with the first feedback from its power unit, there remains the delicate question of the choice of bodywork. According to our German colleagues from Auto Motor Sport, who rely on the magazine Automobilwoche, BMW is in talks with McLaren, whose reputation is second to none in the manufacture of sports cars. The two manufacturers know each other rather well since, between 1993 and 1997, the German supplied the engine of the McLaren F1, namely a 6.1 l V12.

Discussions had begun between Frank van Meel, the boss of BMW M, and Mike Flewitt, CEO of McLaren. It was then discussed that BMW would be responsible for the electric motor, batteries and software, while McLaren would take care of the bodywork and everything related to driving. The specifications: a power of 1000 hp for a maximum torque of 1200 Nm and a total weight of 1500 kg. On the other hand, nothing on the capacity of the battery or on its autonomy. This future electric sports car would have taken over from the McLaren 720s. As for the price, BMW had estimated it at around €250,000.

On the other hand, this partnership also provided for the manufacture of an SUV, without anyone knowing more.

Unfortunately, today, the discussions are at a standstill. The reason is due to the voluntary departure of Mike Flewitt, after nine years at the head of McLaren. The latter was replaced by the German Michael Leiters, ex-head of technology at Ferrari.

According Automobilwochethis electric sports car is not a priority for BMW, but represents more of a “matter of heart”as confirmed by Frank van Meel in another interview with the British magazine Coach. Regarding the Vision M Next, the German said: “Just because the Vision M was never realized doesn’t mean we’re not thinking of a super sports car.” To be continued…