And then there are the driving stabilisation systems like ABS or DSC, which are now pretty well perfect in terms of sensitivity. 20 years ago, you were more or less forced to switch off the DSC to be able to drive really dynamically and achieve fast lap times. Today’s systems have control precision and balance which are so good that they’re more likely to contribute to achieving the perfect lap – you just leave the system on. The ABS in a modern BMW M is so highly developed that braking into bends is completely problem-free, the cars remain stable, agile and thus very fast. And to come back to the M Dynamic mode: in the current BMW M3 G80 models, the balance between stability and agility for M3 enthusiasts is simply superb, the precision, controllability and in the end the driving pleasure are really exciting.
Has the M3 Competition or another iconic M automobile ever inspired you in the development of a new model?
Absolutely. The basic thinking at BMW M has been the same for more than 50 years: The decisive factor is how the car feels when you’re driving it. The mobility, agility and dynamics of a vehicle like the BMW M3 E46 also have to be tangible in the new, larger models, in a new dimension of course. Technically, this driving experience is today realized with different or new means. See bodywork stiffness, axle geometry, tyre performance, intelligent all-wheel drive or all-wheel steering. But we always transport our standards as regards the dynamics to new projects, like the coming BMW M5 for instance. That too will have BMW M attributes like nimbleness, precision and predictability, and will feel a lot lighter at the wheel than it actually is.