thoughts from the boardroom W
Chris Brownridge. CEO BMW (UK) Ltd.
hen a company has such a rich and vibrant heritage it’s somewhat inevitable that there is an anniversary of some note to be celebrated every year, but even by BMW’s own high standards 2022 will be cause for a particularly special celebration. This year will mark the 50th anniversary of the foundation of BMW M GmbH and it’s safe to say that it will be a vintage year for BMW M. In May 1972 BMW Motorsport was formed and while it was predominantly involved in winning on track – which it did so with what must have seemed like monotonous regularity to the opposition – the fledgling sporting arm of BMW was soon responsible for some iconic road cars. The 3.0 CSL drew on its racing experience while the 2002 Turbo utilised technology honed by competition, too. By the late 1970s the M1 supercar was nearing completion and by 1993 BMW M GmbH had been established to become the world’s leading high performance specialist. I won’t delve too much deeper into the history books as I’m sure you’re all aware of the stunning machinery to emerge from BMW M’s hallowed halls, but I would like to look forward to what will be a fascinating year. No doubt you’ll have seen the BMW Concept XM that was recently revealed at Art Basel’s Miami show and this previews the most
8 BMW Car Club Magazine January 2022
powerful BMW M car to ever go into series production towards the end of 2022. With 750hp and 1000Nm of torque from the combination of a V8 and a powerful electric motor, it will be the first electrified high-performance vehicle from BMW M GmbH. With the Concept XM, BMW M is reimagining the high-performance luxury segment and breaking with established conventions and I’m delighted with its bold design. The detailing is exquisite and I particularly like the twin BMW logos etched into the rear window glass as a link to the two logos found on the back of the M1. And on the subject of harking back to the past I can’t help but be reminded of the original high performance concept Sports Activity Vehicle, the X5 Le Mans. This incredible machine was fitted with a V12 with Le Mans-winning pedigree, yet a scant couple of decades later we’ll have a road car that eclipses its power output!
The celebrations don’t stop with the Concept XM though, there will be a number of other exciting BMW M cars launching in 2022, along with some very special high performance models. The first ever series production M3 Touring will make its debut along with a rather spectacular model based on the M4 Coupé. The next generation of M2 is also nearing fruition and, given the reception the M240i xDrive has received, I’d bet on the M2 being another brilliant M car. But perhaps my favourite aspect of our celebration of BMW M’s achievements over the years is the select number of performance and high performance models we will be producing for the UK market in BMW Individual colours. These will reference different eras from BMW M’s past with iconic hues such as Dakar Yellow, Fire Orange, Daytona Violet, Macao Blue and Imola Red, and these exclusive machines will feature the classic BMW Motorsport logo at the front and rear and on the wheel hubs. I can’t wait to see them in the flesh. Of course, 2022 won’t just be about BMW M, but I’m really looking forward to celebrating our high performance heritage as well as seeing what the future will bring. I hope you have all been able to enjoy the festive period and are anticipating the arrival of 2022 with as much excitement as I am.
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