BMW 'Wouldn't Say No' To A High-Performance M Off-Roader
BMW M boss Frank van Meel teased the idea during a recent interview.
the breakdown
- BMW may launch a high-performance M off-roader, inspired by its racing heritage.
- It would likely be based on the upcoming G74, BMW’s G-Class rival, arriving around 2029.
- BMW has never produced a true high-performance off-road vehicle.
BMW might be getting serious about off-roading. The German automaker already offers a rugged version of the X5 and is developing its own rival to the Mercedes-Benz G-Class. Now, a new report suggests the brand could be considering a high-performance off-roader wearing an M badge.
Speaking with Australia's CarExpert, BMW M boss Frank van Meel said that, given the company’s deep racing heritage, an M-badged off-road model wouldn’t be out of the question. While he stopped short of confirming such a vehicle for production, he didn’t dismiss the idea either:
'I could imagine M on off-road products. If you come from racing, there’s not only the World Endurance Championship and International Motor Sports Association sports car categories, but also the Paris-Dakar Rally.'
Despite its long history, BMW has never built a true high-performance off-road vehicle. The closest it came was the Dune Taxi concept in 2022—an all-electric prototype that never reached production.
If BMW does move forward with an M off-roader, it would likely be based on the upcoming G74, the model expected to serve as its G-Class competitor. The standard version isn’t anticipated to arrive until around 2029, with a potential M variant following sometime after.
Rivals Take Notice
2026 Genesis X Skorpio Concept
BMW isn’t alone in exploring the high-performance off-road space. Several luxury rivals have introduced rugged, performance-focused concepts in recent years.
Audi unveiled the Audi Activesphere in 2023, previewing an all-electric off-road-inspired vehicle with extensive protective cladding. Cadillac followed with the Elevated Velocity concept last August, a high-riding EV in a similar vein.
Even Genesis has joined the trend, revealing two off-road concepts in the past year: the X Gran Equator and the X Skorpio—though the latter raises more questions than it answers.
Motor1's Take: While none of these automakers—including BMW—have confirmed production plans for these high-performance off-roaders, the growing interest from luxury brands is notable. If BMW ultimately greenlights an M-badged off-roader, it could become a compelling new addition to the lineup.
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