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BMW's new M-powered versions of the X6 will be the first car to get a new turbocharged direct-injection V8 as the firm begins to move away from high-revving, naturally aspirated engines for its high-performance models.

Increasingly tough emission standards and soaring manufacturing costs have pushed BMW into the decision, which could alter the intrinsic character of all BMW M models.

The future of the 4.0-litre V8 in the BMW M3's and the 5.0-litre V10 BMW M5 is unclear, as both wil...Read the full article

 I am sad by the confirmation of those news. After the Cayenne Diesel, now the compressed BMW M.It is almost more shocking. All right, it is for the X6, their SAC(!), dixit BMW. Moreover, it does not even must to be called M. It is really grave this change of philosophy. I weigh even my words. I think that they will be capable of realizing more sober and effective engines.But where will be the character of their excellent naturally aspired engines?Although we say, that will be the end of these magnificent engines.Although we say!!!  Keep your sound recordings of M3, M5 …Long live naturally compressed engines, not gas plants!The noblest engines! It is the beginning of the Decline. It had to arrive, we are there. This is the end …

 

It's sad for enthusiasts, but they'll be breaking out the Champagne at Audi, Mercedes and Porsche - their toughest competitor is voluntarily surrendering one of its key markets. I guess my current car is the last BMW I'll ever own, then ...

These are sad news indeed. I am afraid we haven't hit rock bottom yet though. The saddest day for all petrolheads will be the day that Ferrari announces the drop of their naturally aspirated diamonds in favour of turbocharged engines. That will be the end of a noble era.

Is this really that bad?

 For many years M cars just had a tuned version of the usual BMW straight six and a very carefully set up chassis.

 The recent high tech M cars have had a mixed press much like their direct competitors.

Emissions legislation is not favourable to these special engines either so BMW might need to adopt the technology applied to its standard models on the M series. Hence a modified version of a stock engines is a good solution (as Alpina have been demonstrating for some time) and not out of keeping with earlier times..

 

jerry99:

Emissions legislation is not favourable to these special engines either so BMW might need to adopt the technology applied to its standard models on the M series. Hence a modified version of a stock engines is a good solution (as Alpina have been demonstrating for some time) and not out of keeping with earlier times..

I guess what everyone is saying is; This the end of the normally aspirated engine?

BMW and their M division were always seen as purveyors of decent normally aspirated engines.  Now this appears to have gone, the choice of the driving purist is dwindling.

I personally am not a turbo fan (please no puns about aero engines) and will try and stay normally aspirated as long as possible.  I despise the lack of throttle response, power delivery and effect that has on handling.

Don't get me wrong, we are not without choices at the moment but how long have we got left?

I guess the greatly reduced heft of the next M Cars might make up for it.  The current M3 and M5 are really heavy, man.  I think a stripped out 3 coupe with high revving 2.0 litre 4 would be closer to the principles of the M division.  The dire range of the current M cars would preclude them from my shopping list in the unlikely event of me having the money to buy one.  I can't be arsed stopping for fuel every 5 minutes. 

Also, the end is not nigh.  Once the current panic subsides dirty great V8s and 10s will reappear in new and more exciting guises.  We are going through a similiar phase to the early 80's where small turbo engines were in vogue as a response to the fuel crisis that was the mid to late 70's.  It will pass.

I have no issue with this. I've done a lot of miles in both a new M3 and the new M5, and to be honest i find their engines lacking. Lacking torque, mainly, which i think is very important in a sports car.

 The thing is, i've also done a fair few miles in a 335i Coupe, and i swear that if you gave it to your average petrolhead, and didn't tell them what it was, they would swear it was naturally aspirated.

 The 335i and 335d engines are absolute masterpeices of engineering, and prove exactly what BMW can do when they try.

I don't own a BMW, just to clarify, i'm just a fan of their engines. Plus the X6 xDrive35d is a frankly astoundingly good car. If you don't believe the hype - just go and drive one.

Tim Oldland:

I have no issue with this. I've done a lot of miles in both a new M3 and the new M5, and to be honest i find their engines lacking. Lacking torque, mainly, which i think is very important in a sports car.

No I completely disagree, and so should most car enthusiasts - Torque is not that important in a sports car!!!!    Half of the fun of a sports car, should be stirring a short throw gearbox and ringing out the engine, enjoying razor sharp throttle response and high-end power!  Certainly not relying on large amounts of torque in a lazy manner.  Yes, maybe in a GT car torque is more important, but not in an out and out sports car! 

 It will be a very very sad day when/if we are forced to drive forced induction engines and not the pure N/A gems which we have taken for granted up until now...

What all those mine is bigger than yours people going to do?

Interesting comparison is the original M3 with a 123d.

Oh dear oh dear...I personally have no problem with BMW binning NA as a guiding M philosophy. I can remember much of the same consternation when they abandoned 4 cylinders for 6 in the M3 and then 6 for 8 etc etc. Although M division has delivered a fair few pups recently one thing that is always a constant is the marvel under the bonnet and an earlier poster's reference to the 335i is spot on - easily the finest mainstream FI engine out there. As for the naysayers who protest at lack of charcter etc etc I will offer the following list:

Most exciting Ferrari of the last 25 year? F40

Most exciting Audi (ever!) ? 20V Quattro

Most exciting thing with four doors of past 25 years? Lancia Delta Integrale

Any yes, they're all turbo charged...Many may disagree but I'll put up a fairly robust arguement in defence of that list...

A 1 series CSL with a turbo 4 pot? I'd be at the top of the queue!

SandyCR:

Most exciting Ferrari of the last 25 year? F40 I'll give you that one, though imagine it with an Enzo V12

Most exciting Audi (ever!) ? 20V Quattro RS4, R8

Most exciting thing with four doors of past 25 years? Lancia Delta Integrale Any number of possibilities here, some turbo, some not

But ...

Best Porsche 911? 2.7 RS, 964 RS, 997 GT3

And would you really rather have a GT2 or GTR than a Gallardo LP560-4

And what's that noise? Oh, another 335i lunches it's turbo ...