BMW Is Ending Competition Models (Sort Of)
BMW is phasing out the Competition designation on its M models, a strategic turn dictated by evolving demand and a desire to streamline the lineup.
BMW M CEO Frank van Meel says that more than 80 percent of M buyers have been opting directly for the Competition version, making the base designation beneath it unnecessary. All future M models will thus be positioned, in terms of power and equipment, at the level of the former Competition, and the range will now extend across three variations: M, CS and CSL.
Logical shift
This evolution reflects a strong trend in the industry: demand systematically shifts towards the highest-performing versions. At BMW, this led to the realization that the Competition version was no longer an option, but the standard sought by customers.
Thus, on the next generation of models, like the M2 or the M5 expected for 2026, the Competition offering will disappear in favour of a single configuration, the most muscular one.
For purists and enthusiasts, this means that entry-level M models will inherit the level of power, technology, and options that made the previous Competition models famous.
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