[HotRodM4]

The chassis doesn't pass US safety regs, so it's too much work to remake a chassis for US.

[mat9]

Originally Posted by Brandt51

I don't mind the kidneys. And I love weird and/or sport wagons, but…since it's the internet, I have to say I most def…100% would buy this if it came to the USA. But only with an MT

Oddly enough, I think the beaver teeth look better proportioned on the wagon body

[DB_Cooper]

Originally Posted by PHX102

Sounds like you haven't don't much shopping in the South West…

Is the South West just as bad as the NE?

[Stockholmarn]

Buttons have been pushed.

[G01_nyc]

Forbidden fruit. Got damn look at that ass

[Phillie9284]

I would cancel my X3m order if I can get one of these here in the states.

[Brandt51]

Originally Posted by HotRodM4

The chassis doesn't pass US safety regs, so it's too much work to remake a chassis for US.

How so? It's on the CLAR platform, so it's not all the same?

[HotRodM4]

Originally Posted by Brandt51

How so? It's on the CLAR platform, so it's not all the same?

7:08 crash testing apparently

[Brandt51]

Originally Posted by HotRodM4

7:08 crash testing apparently

Well that's unfortunate. Maybe the M5 wagon won't be a hybrid and come with a manual. Hahaha.

[mbanck]

Originally Posted by HotRodM4

7:08 crash testing apparently

I'm not sure that designer guy is the authoritative person on that, he seems to regurgitate what he read elsewhere.

I think the most accepted explanation is that the G21 has the battery in the trunk (same as G20), and US crash safety (or other) regulations consider that as "inside the passenger compartment" for tourings (not sedans, due to the back seats blocking off the trunk there). BMW did this knowing full well they wouldn't sell the G21 in the US (because BMWNA saw no business case).

Then the G81 was developed as an inside project after the G21 launch and came out of left-field, and was then greenlit by management. Or at least that is what the legend says/BMW M wants us to believe.

In any case, at that point, it was not feasible to either re-architect the battery thing or get the G81 homologated/crash tested on its own as that would incur massive (I believe we were told >50k USD) additional costs per vehicle, while the G81 has basically the same price as the G80 in europe.

They apparently learnt from this and the upcoming 5er Touring will either be engineered from the ground up to be better compatible with US regulations, or they are doing other things differently, because the next M5 Touring (not the regular 5er Touring apparently) will come to the US according to well-known insiders.

Bimmerpost really needs an FAQ for this to point people at.

[cbertels]

Rumor has it Audi is bringing the next RS4 to the US. Your move BMW.

[Salespunk]

Originally Posted by cbertels

Rumor has it Audi is bringing the next RS4 to the US. Your move BMW.

Please make this be true. Demand for the RS6 is crazy so I wouldn't be surprised at all by this move.

[chicagofan00]

Originally Posted by cbertels

Rumor has it Audi is bringing the next RS4 to the US. Your move BMW.

I would definitely put that at the top of my next car list if true.

[cbertels]

Originally Posted by Salespunk

Please make this be true. Demand for the RS6 is crazy so I wouldn't be surprised at all by this move.

Originally Posted by chicagofan00

I would definitely put that at the top of my next car list if true.

It's a similar situation as the RS6. The A4 Allroad is already available here and the proposed powertrain will likely be available here in the RS5 so little to the homologation process. I've been calling my local dealer daily for an order.