BMW’s new M performance range

BMW has announced a new product range that will bridge the gap between the company's ordinary cars and its fabled M Division.

It will be called BMW M Performance Automobiles, and to better understand what it will offer, consider the original BMW M535i of 1980 (above). That landmark car foresaw the first M5, featuring a tuned chassis, more power and a subtly modified design.

BMW will offer exclusive engine variants, enhanced agility and prevision, and "design laced with emotional appeal". Further additions to the line-up will include petrol and diesel variants, while the all-wheel-drive xDrive will play a "significant" role in the Performance Automobiles category.

Top Gear drives the new BMW M5

"We are targeting our efforts at customers looking for more emotionality and more performance," says Dr Friedrich Nitschke, "but who don't want to forgo the everyday usability of their cars."

BMW will present these M Performance Automobiles at the Geneva motor show, which takes place between 8-18 March later this year. And if that's not enough, they've also confirmed the new M6 will get its world premiere at some point this year too. We'll be there as always...

So - tempted by the M Performance range, or would you rather just save up and get a proper red-blooded M car?