The Detroit Auto Show just wrapped up, but BMW has already moved on to Geneva. The German automaker announced today that it’s going to be showing a new line of what it’s calling “M Performance Automobiles” at the Geneva Motor Show in March.
These vehicles will sit between standard Bimmers and M vehicles in the lineup, and apparently offer more than just cosmetics. While BMW has offered M Sport appearance packages over the past two decades, today’s announcement specifically mentions “exclusive engine variants” and suspension tweaks among the upgrades M Performance models would offer. Given the mention of both all-wheel drive and diesel models in the announcement, it seems like the new line is specifically geared towards both of those features that BMW likely believes would tarnish the original M line or just wouldn’t be appropriate for an M3 or M5.
We’re awaiting a reply from BMW on what this announcement means for the U.S. market, but we imagine the M Performance cars sold here might resemble something like the 2003-2006 ZHP performance package sold on the E46 3 Series. These cars carried M badging, a unique interior, sport fascias, upgraded wheels and tires, a six-speed manual, 10 extra horses, a higher redline, revised gearing, and a stiffer suspension. There’s also the possibility that the first recipient of the new designation could be the diesel variant of the X6 M that’s already been teased by the Bavarian automaker.
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