Don't Panic: Four-Cylinder BMW M Cars Aren't Happening Just Yet, And RWD Is Here To Stay

The trend of downsizing has already claimed the V8 M3 and V10 M5, but for now, it’s looking like BMW M Division won’t be dropping down to four-cylinder engines. Speaking with Motoring.com.au, Carsten Pries - the head of product development at BMW’s performance arm - said that six-cylinder, rear-wheel drive cars will remain the default M blueprint “for the foreseeable future.”

He also said: “If you also look at the M performance models we have added over the last three or four years they have rear-wheel drive as the standard setting and also have six cylinder engines…this combination of six cylinder engines and rear-wheel drive is not just a USP in marketing terms but it is something that really attracts people to our brand.”

Of course, there will be exceptions. It’s long been suspected that the next M5 will be four-wheel drive, and our money is on it retaining a twin-turbo V8 rather than dropping to a six-pot. In addition, you can’t ignore the - as yet unconfirmed - rumours that the next 1-series will be front-wheel drive as opposed to rear. So, what then? Pries says: “If the framework changes in the future, we have to look then at what we can do in terms of a proper or decent M offer.”

That’s a while off though, so for now, let’s just enjoy the six-cylinder noise and tyre smoke.