Car Throttle

BMW disappoint me. Sure they build fabulous performance cars like the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, the M3, the M5, and the to-be-built 552bhp BMW M6. But that's about it really. No gull-winged, bi-spoilered, extra wide arched, super-low supercars. This irks me as BMW are now, in my opinion, either too profit-oriented, politically correct, socially conscious or environmentally friendly for their own good. In a recent interview, BMW North America's Product Manager stated that the German brand doesn't feel the need to make a supercar and that they like to build practical cars that are drivers' cars and executive cars that one can use everyday. This thought is further cemented by the statement made by Albert Biermann, BMW M’s development chief who told Autocar last year that

The introduction of the R8 was a big step forward for Audi. A mid-engined vehicle that provided a less expensive alternative to the exotics is something pretty revolutionary for the brand. It's amazing that it was approved by the corporate board, which has to make sure there isn't any cannibalization with the other luxury brands in it's stable. It has proved to be the right call though. No one can doubt the success the car has in generating interest for Audi in demographics across the board. It was a signal of what Audi intended to be in the future. Could fellow German rival BMW be looking to jump into the game as well? BMW is rumored to be hard at work on a mid-engined competitor for the R8. I think

BMW vs Audi. A fight that has brewed for years, and continues with a fervor as time goes on. Witness the Audi vs. BMW advertising war. While Audi's response was paltry in my opinion, the vehicle they were using was not.  The Audi R8 has garnered many fans who are fascinated by the car's (Gallardo-lite) mid-engine orientation and great performance. I think the R8 is very unique and interesting but I find it's styling to be a bit lacking. It's edgy, but not beautiful. Performance is what really counts though to many people, so it's not really an issue for Audi in selling the car. It's fitting then that the proposed BMW response is similar in styling reaction. I'm not a huge fan of the overall design, but the quality of the