BMW Hasn't Ruled Out More Fast Wagons for the U.S.
Key takeaways
- The M5 is selling almost 50 percent in the Touring variant, and BMW is listening to what its M customers want.
- Ever since the E36 M3, North America hasn't often received special M3 variants, but this CS model flipped the script, being only available on this side of the Atlantic.
- Add in the manual transmissions available in the rowdy old V-10-powered M5 and M6, and there's some exciting precedent here.
Why this matters: an automotive development that could shape industry direction or buying decisions.
The M5 is selling almost 50 percent in the Touring variant, and BMW is listening to what its M customers want.
Michael Simari and Marc Urbano|Car and Driver The M5 Touring was the wagon BMW selected for the North American market, but there's a customer petition to bring the M3 Touring over too.BMW brought the manual-transmission M3 CS Handschalter over just for North America based on customer demand. Nothing's in process, but there are hints that product planners are examining the possibilities.BMW surprised and delighted its hardcore U.S. fans with the M3 CS Handschalter, combining performance-oriented goodies like titanium exhaust parts and carbon-ceramic brakes with a genuine three-pedal setup and manual gearbox. Ever since the E36 M3, North America hasn't often received special M3 variants, but this CS model flipped the script, being only available on this side of the Atlantic.
Add in the manual transmissions available in the rowdy old V-10-powered M5 and M6, and there's some exciting precedent here. Munich's product planners are nothing if not logical, but when it comes to either high performance or ultra-luxury, they're willing to bend the rules a little. The U.S. being such a large and important market for M cars, BMW is willing to listen to its customers a little more seriously.