Whether it’s the drive, handling or exterior: everything that fans love about BMW M models ends up on his desk sooner or later – usually sooner. Alexander Karajlovic is the new Head of Development at BMW M, taking over from Dirk Häcker, who is retiring after eleven years at BMW M and 37 years with the BMW Group. In this interview, Karajlovic reveals his plans, what he is particularly looking forward to and which projects M fans can look forward to.
ALEXANDER KARAJLOVIC.
ALEXANDER KARAJLOVIC.
Age: 53
Hobbies: Motorcycles, classic cars, sports, sailing and cooking
Education: Automotive engineering
With BMW since: 2000
Current job: Head of Development at BMW M GmbH
Company car: BMW M3 Touring
Hello Alexander, thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us. In your new role as Head of Development at BMW M, can you briefly outline the areas and projects you will be responsible for in the future?
I am responsible for the development of BMW M vehicles and for BMW Individual. This encompasses the entire vehicle, i.e. the drive system, driving characteristics, interior, exterior and electronics.. And let’s not forget the workshop, our vehicle prototyping facility, where prototypes and test vehicles are built, as well as Werk18, where we build customer sports cars such as the BMW M4 GT4 EVO.
We heard that you recently ordered a BMW M3 Touring as your company car. Why did you choose this model?
For me, the BMW M3 Touring is the perfect symbiosis of everyday usability, practicality and performance. This combination is unique among its competitors. What’s more, I think the design and proportions are outstanding. It’s an impressive car in every respect!
With the fully electric BMW M3, we will be demonstrating the upper limits of what is possible in terms of driving dynamics in the Neue Klasse for the first time.
The Neue Klasse provides a new platform that also offers BMW M GmbH completely new potential in the high-performance segment. Is there anything in particular that you are looking forward to in the new fully electric high-performance models?
With the fully electric BMW M high-performance models, we will be demonstrating the upper limits of what is possible in terms of driving dynamics in the Neue Klasse for the first time. It’s not one specific feature that stands out, but rather the combination of characteristics that makes the difference. For the first time, we have four high-performance electric motors which, in combination with the Heart of Joy with its special BMW M Dynamic Performance Control software and the Design-to-Power cell in the high-voltage battery developed specifically for BMW M, will take the driving experience to a new level. This results in unprecedented power that is still controllable and drivable. And then there’s the M specific driving sound that will appeal to the heart in terms of maximum emotionality.
How do these new platforms specifically influence your work as Head of Development? Are there synergies between motorsport and series development that you would particularly like to utilise?
BMW M relies on the groundwork and systems provided by BMW AG. Nevertheless, it is important to identify and develop M specific technical solutions that are necessary to differentiate high-performance vehicles. We have already achieved this successfully in the past, and we will continue to do so with future vehicle architectures.
Regarding motorsport: BMW M GmbH has its roots in motorsport. The racetrack is part of our DNA, true to the motto ‘Born on the racetrack, made for the streets’. And of course there is a close connection between motorsport and our road vehicles. In both directions. Motorsport benefits from robust and affordable solutions from series production, and at the same time, expertise is transferred to series production vehicles. Whether it’s performance requirements or technologies that originate in racing and are also offered to customers. One example of this is the natural fibre composites that will be offered in future series production vehicles.
We are also continuing to develop our successful 6- and 8-cylinder engines for classic combustion drives.
With its strong roots in motorsport, BMW M will continue to offer the optimum drive system for each vehicle’s respective area of application – including combustion engines. Will BMW M continue to innovate in this technology in the future?
Yes, we are also continuing to develop our successful 6- and 8-cylinder engines for classic combustion drives. With a new combustion process we are preparing the engines for upcoming emissions and exhaust gas legislation and ensuring that our customers have consistent access to state-of-the-art high-performance vehicles that meet future environmental requirements with innovative technology. And we are doing this without compromise, but with the characteristic BMW M performance.
Is there an area of vehicle development that is particularly close to your heart as an engineer, or is there a current project or challenge that you are particularly excited about?
I’m passionate about all M products. But this year is certainly a very special one, as it is also the last year of development for the first fully electric BMW M high-performance model before it goes into production in 2027. Now it’s time to fine-tune things and get them just right. With this vehicle, we are opening a new chapter for BMW M GmbH. Expectations for this new model generation are huge. I am deeply convinced that we will live up to these expectations and make a big impact in the world of fully electric high-performance models. Believe me: the new fully electric M3 will be fantastic!
