BMW M chief to build fast Hyundais

One of the men at the heart of BMW's M Division has left his position to join Hyundai's high performance team. Yep, for the Koreans, Christmas just came early.

Hyundai has confirmed that 57-year old Albert Biermann, former Vice President for BMW M, has been appointed as the firm's new Head of Vehicle Test and High Performance Development.

Does this mean we'll soon start seeing Hyundai's very own M3? We've certainly got all our fingers and toes crossed. Biermann will relocate to South Korea where he will lead the development of "new high performance Hyundai and Kia models", as well as engineering projects relating to ride, handling, safety, reliability and the reduction of NVH (noise, vibration, harshness).

As a stalwart of BMW, we suspect Mr Biermann shall bring with him much expertise; he's been with BMW since 1983, and has been VP of M since 2008. So he's had his hands in most things fast. And BMW has made a lot of good, fast things.

"I couldn't be more excited to join Hyundai Motor Group," said Biermann. "2015 is a key year for the brand with the launch of many all-new models and the start of its second season in WRC, so I am really looking forward to the challenge."

Just a couple of weeks back Hyundai revealed a brace of new models - the i20 not-a-coupe, the i30 Turbo and refreshed i40 - so here's looking forward to a 2015 where we get V8 versions of the i40 and i40 Tourer, and a 350bhp i30. What, just us?