Is the future of BMW's famed M Division destined to be high-riding SUVs like the 2023 XM?

Forty-five years is a long time between drinks, so what does the arrival of only the second dedicated M bodyshell – in the form of the BMW XM - suggest about the future direction of M division cars?

After all, the only other car to fill that brief, the late 1970s’ M1 supercar, complete with rear-drive, mid-engine and a low, coupe body was a vastly more traditional take on high-performance motoring.

So does the arrival of the XM, all 2.7 tonnes of it, suggest that M Division is at a crossroads with high-end, electrified SUVs the new song-book?

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The good news is, no.

When CarsGuide spoke to the CEO of M Division at the recent local launch of the XM, Dutch-born Frank Van Meel did not hesitate to quell any fears that the vaunted M badge was about to represent an SUV-led future.

So what does the XM say of M Division’s future?

“Nothing,” was Van Meel’s frank response.

“Both those cars (the 1M and the new XM) were a child of their time,” he explained.

“In the 70s, every company that wanted to show the world they were top notch; they had to have a sports car. Obviously, that’s why they built what they did.”

“But today’s fastest growing segment is the SUV, so if you want to make a statement, you go there. That’s the segment where you go to show your competence.”

“But the XM doesn’t say anything about a change of direction for M. It just keeps presenting the DNA; the precision and dynamics that define the M brand.”

The BMW XM is the second dedicated M model, since the release of the M1 in the 70s.

“It’s a different breed of car, but it has the same values and attributes. So the XM drives like an M… every M-car has to.

“This (XM) is not a change in philosophy, it’s just that were we weren’t represented in the market segment where people are looking. We have identified a lot of demand for a car like the XM. Our customers were asking: Why are you not offering something really extroverted, something polarising.”

So, having ruled out a PHEV, SUV-only future for M, will there ever be another M1, or anything like it?

“I’d be lying if I said we hadn’t thought about it,” Van Meel admits.

“I could tell you we don’t need a halo car – every M is a halo car. But as a car guy, you’re always dreaming about a new M1 or a super-sports car. I’ve been dreaming about that as long as I can remember.

“But actually, we don’t have a plan for that (a latter-day M1) right now.”