By Michael De Kock

BMW’s M Division cars always had and still have a certain passion that you don’t find anywhere else. They look different, feel different and have their own personality. Before I go on, here is a little history…

BMW M GmbH (previously: BMW Motorsport GmbH) is a subsidiary German car manufacturer – BMW AG.

BMW M, also known as M-Technik or just ‘M’ (for Motorsport) was initially created for BMW’s racing program, which was very successful in the 60s and 70s. As time passed, BMW M began to supplement the firm’s vehicles portfolio with specially modified higher trim models, for which they are now most known by the general public. These M-badged cars traditionally include modified engines, transmissions, suspensions, interior trims, aerodynamics, and exterior modifications to set them apart from their counterparts. All M models are tested and tuned at BMW’s private facility at the Nürburgring racing circuit in Germany.

Now, there are other car manufacturers that also have passion and grace, among other stuff, but none has the same combination as BMW M. The other car companies are Ferrari, who is extremely expensive, but probably has the most passion of any car manufacturer. Then there is Lamborghini, who is just loony and there is Maserati, who makes brilliant cars but unfortunately have too many flaws. Then of course we get Fiat. Fiat owns Ferrari, but Fiat has no passion whatsoever. There are American cars like Ford, Chevrolet, Chrysler (who is Italian now), Dodge, Callaway, Tesla, etc. but they are primarily for drag racing and I don’t think the Americans know too much about corners. The only American car manufacturers who can even think of getting close to the passion-o-meter that the M Division owns, are Shelby and Duesenberg.

Other European car companies include Jaguar which is top in the ‘passion department’ of British manufacturers. The rest don’t really come close. Scandinavia has, or should I say had, Saab (which will forever remain one of my favourite car manufacturers).  The Chinese I’m not even going to talk about. The Japanese are okay, but too much like Audi – too… cold and clinical. Australia is too much like America with their cars, although they did bring South Africa the new Ford Ranger, which is brilliant, but one doesn’t necessarily crave it.

That’s the reason BMW M is so good. You yearn for them when they drive by, you want to feel their acceleration, you want to park them in your friend’s driveway and ask him if he wants a spin, just so you can have an excuse to drive it again.

BMW ‘s M Division is one of the two reasons why I want to become a motoring journalist, so that I can feel that perfect balance between power, precision and most important of all – passion.

Well, that and so that I can drive any car like a complete and utter berk…