Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel
Thanks for giving more detail. I really appreciate you sharing what you are able to despite not having complete confidence. To me that shows trust in the community.
Assuming that the three-model lineup is indeed correct, it would be a little surprising if the "middle" configuration ends up being RWD Competition instead of AWD non-Competition. However, I admit that the biggest reason I think that is that it's easiest to simply assume the M3/M4 lineup will be a superset of the X3/X4 M, M5/M8, and (presumably) X5/X6 M lineups. However, that needn't necessarily be the case. That being said, I feel like it would be a little weird if there's just one G83 configuration.
Either way, this is fun. I cant recall a future model release surrounded in so much mystery and intrigue. Not to mention the plot twists. I'm sure BMW is loving all the hype.  |
Taking a look at the overall marketing strategy, the launch of the X3 M and M8, and the sales numbers the last few years for the current M3/M4, it's looking like the pivot confusing the speculators (which I happily play along as) might be that the Competition model is expected to be the volume seller. Everything has been focused on the Competition models. I think some markets are only getting Competition models for the X3/X4 M.
We tend to look at product strategy as a ladder going up, but I think they are looking at it the opposite direction: deliver the Competition model as the most desirable volume seller (and most profitable), assume those willing to pay for xDrive will also willingly pay for the Competition model (regardless of the debate on RWD vs AWD as a preference, BMW feels M xDrive is a dry weather performance plus up), offer the base model as the down market (and lower priced) bridge to the M340i.
It's not like the whole drivetrain isn't engineered already from the X3 M so that if the market demands a base xDrive they can't deliver it rapidly.