Talk about arrogance. Gerhard RIchter, VP of the M division
07-20-2007, 10:45 AM
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Talk about arrogance. Gerhard RIchter, VP of the M division
<B>How would you define the role of the M3 in the BMW M range?</B>
The M3 stands for our philosophy. It is the best representation of the M character, combining the
feeling of a racecar with that of a normal street car. We concentrate on what we call "concept harmony," by which we mean that we look at the car as a whole. This is what separates us from everyone else.
<B>What do you see as the key rivals for the M cars?</B>
The characters of our rivals' cars are so different that customers can find the right car for them. The Porsche is a Porsche -- very successful and fun to drive. And when people think of Porsche they think of the 911 -- a modern-day Beetle.
(laughs)
Audi Quattro Gmbh uses front- or four-wheel drive, and so the handling is quite different. It's a good solution if you live in the mountains. Mercedes AMG uses a relatively low-revving big-block engine and an automatic gearbox. Every car is different.
<B>AMG has recently started to offer a limited run of tuned cars called Black Series. Can we expect a similar range from BMW?</B>
This is not our philosophy. The Black Series is a way of trying to change the character of the cars, but we wouldn't do this because we have a clear idea of what our cars need to be. We have a personalization program -- Individual -- which caters to owners with special tastes, but these changes would never affect the driving characteristics of an M car.
<B>Audi recently introduced the R8 to much acclaim. Will BMW build a supercar?</B>
That's a very difficult question to answer. A car like the Porsche Carrera GT could reflect our character, but the Carrera GT was not a commercial success. Below this supercar level, anything we could offer would just be on a level with the M3 or M6.
We could build a car that used the technical aspects of the M3 or M6 but clothe it in a new body, but such a car would be more expensive and no more fun to drive. That is the reason why we're hesitant to build such a car, although as an engineer I'd love to do it.
If you build a €1 million supercar, no one will ever have the chance to see it. For us it's better to make an M3 or M6, where the price is OK<ul><li><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=121767?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..2 .*">The M Strikes Back</a></li></ul>
The M3 stands for our philosophy. It is the best representation of the M character, combining the
feeling of a racecar with that of a normal street car. We concentrate on what we call "concept harmony," by which we mean that we look at the car as a whole. This is what separates us from everyone else.
<B>What do you see as the key rivals for the M cars?</B>
The characters of our rivals' cars are so different that customers can find the right car for them. The Porsche is a Porsche -- very successful and fun to drive. And when people think of Porsche they think of the 911 -- a modern-day Beetle.
(laughs)
Audi Quattro Gmbh uses front- or four-wheel drive, and so the handling is quite different. It's a good solution if you live in the mountains. Mercedes AMG uses a relatively low-revving big-block engine and an automatic gearbox. Every car is different.
<B>AMG has recently started to offer a limited run of tuned cars called Black Series. Can we expect a similar range from BMW?</B>
This is not our philosophy. The Black Series is a way of trying to change the character of the cars, but we wouldn't do this because we have a clear idea of what our cars need to be. We have a personalization program -- Individual -- which caters to owners with special tastes, but these changes would never affect the driving characteristics of an M car.
<B>Audi recently introduced the R8 to much acclaim. Will BMW build a supercar?</B>
That's a very difficult question to answer. A car like the Porsche Carrera GT could reflect our character, but the Carrera GT was not a commercial success. Below this supercar level, anything we could offer would just be on a level with the M3 or M6.
We could build a car that used the technical aspects of the M3 or M6 but clothe it in a new body, but such a car would be more expensive and no more fun to drive. That is the reason why we're hesitant to build such a car, although as an engineer I'd love to do it.
If you build a €1 million supercar, no one will ever have the chance to see it. For us it's better to make an M3 or M6, where the price is OK<ul><li><a href="http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Features/articleId=121767?tid=edmunds.il.home.photopanel..2 .*">The M Strikes Back</a></li></ul>
07-20-2007, 11:08 AM
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Sounds like he represents M drivers well. Arrogant and clueless.
<center><img src="http://www.pictures-of-cars.com/VW-Beetle.jpg"></center><p>I can't believe he compared the Porsche to modern day Beetle.
After all, isn't the 911 the car the M3 is 'supposed' to be modeled after?
After all, isn't the 911 the car the M3 is 'supposed' to be modeled after?
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07-20-2007, 11:59 AM
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What makes you think this guy knows anything about....
rival car companies and their cars? What makes you think he really knows anything about M cars and BMW other than what he's told by his engineers and other subordinate? I dont know what his credentials are, but it seems that from his statement this VP's job is to sell cars and make money for BMW throught the M division.
He doesnt come across as a car lover to me.
He doesnt come across as a car lover to me.