[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW mystery mule. What do you think this is??

199
COMMENTS

Tweet

Update:

From insider Scott26:

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

Welcome back to the BMW Z3.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

It does show you that an M2 with CFRP roof is completely feasible.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

No it is not the F22 Chassis underneath which is why the body is shortened.
For more clues let us say that Winter is coming...
But this prototype also shows possibilities for the M2.

Originally Posted by SCOTT26

I posted this long ago. There is another article I am still looking for.

"The Z4 becomes the Z5 and will share with a Toyota as will a Z3 Both are RWD.
The engineering schematics for the Carbon intensive architecture is impressive. You are going to see so much for so little with the combined force of BMW and Toyota using all their resources available.

BMW wants to re-invent its Z series sports cars and make them as cutting edge and influential as the BMWi models by visual appearance and state of the art engineering to highlight a new BMW philosophy for sports cars.

Vision ConnectedDrive and 328 Homage concepts are the template for the visuals. Plans also include a slightly massaged three cylinder entirely unique and exclusive in the Z3 Mille Miglia mimicking the classic 328 to provide excellent dynamics using lightweight materials."

Original post:

Although most test mules spotted are covered in camouflage, we generally have an idea of what model it is. Rare is the occasion when we spot an uncamouflaged mule and are stumped by what it is exactly.

This BMW mystery mule was recently spotted at BMW's test route near BMW and it was registered with BMW's usual Munich number plate.

At first glance, it appears to be a M235i, but a closer look shows that it has a shorter wheelbase and a lowered roofline (see comparison image versus M235i below). It also sports a carbon fiber hood, double humped carbon fiber roof and carbon fiber trunk spoiler.

No previous BMW M2 mules have resembled this, so that's unlikely. Could this mule be related to the joint BMW/Toyota sports car platform? What do you think it is?

BMW Mystery Mule

[Mark's M]

Well if that's a mule they've gone to a heck of a lot of trouble to make sure the body fitment, particularly behind the doors to accommodate the shorter wheelbase, is pretty spot on. And why the cf hood and roof if this is just a mule for a car that won't look at all like this? To approximate weight distribution would be my only guess but again, if it's a mule then this won't make sense either. And where is the usual BMW camouflage? Whatever this car is, it isn't like BMW to run a mule or prototype around without it.

Bottom line...you got me!! But if in the unlikely event it's meant to be a 2er derivative of some sort, it'll be cramped and slightly...I don' know....Porsche Panamera looking in some freakish way? Lol, the BMW/Toyota venture has to be the answer in terms of what's underneath...I think. Good catch with the pics btw. Was the photographer in the passenger seat at some point lol? I've seen lesser quality pics in staged magazine shoots!!

[AKRAPOVICOWNS]

Could be an early grancoupe 2 series mule

[davem3fan]

Hard to believe the M2 would have it's own chopped roof!

[Needbmwpartzz]

Possible 1 series??

[_Mbition]

I don't know about anyone else but I kinda love that lower roofline. And my mule guess is that it has the s55 under the hood....

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by AKRAPOVICOWNS

Could be an early grancoupe 2 series mule

Grancoupe would not have a shortened wheelbase over the standard coupe.

[Needsdecaf]

Definitely a mule for the joint Toyota car, IMO.

[Turkish Pickle]

Well, what if it is a mechanical test mule sorta thing for a new boss level Mini?
I mean, maybe its something to do with the newest GP variant.
Honestly it would make so much sense, since the wheelbase is shorter; people know a performance version of the 2er is both out and in the works and will not look like this (M235i and M2 respectively).
Practically it might be a trickery, to try some M2 parts like a carbon hood and a roof on a sports-mini sorta architechture to shoot two birds with one stone?

[Killramos]

Looks like a different intercooler behind the front grill than the 2 as a note. SO likely not N55 under the hood.

It looks pretty good imo...

[ska///235i]

M240i

[Nordkeyz73]

Possibly trying out carbon bits for the M2? Maybe they have a B-derived engine under the hood?

[MEBII]

My money, next gen 2er, M240i CSL.

[Schm]

Originally Posted by AKRAPOVICOWNS

Could be an early grancoupe 2 series mule

That crossed my mind as well, but the wheelbase wouldn't be shorter.

Could be the m2...
I think it might be a rumored mini sedan? I think this would need more camo.

Could just be a powertrain mule for the 2-series, with the new 3 cyl engine. Or a m performance lightweight csl type of car.

[BMW M3 CRT]

It has an longer front overhang ... looks like the front-wheel-dtive plattform ...could it an early mule of the coming FWD 2er series !?

[BMWRL]

Test mule for new Z2? Fitted with carbon fiber to reduce weight and be in line with the Z's?

[richb811]

Originally Posted by Needsdecaf

Definitely a mule for the joint Toyota car, IMO.

I'll second that!

[GuidoDoc]

Not a different M2 mule? fenders look wider, carbon roof and hood, lower roofline, and some relation to a 2 series. Clearly missing some of the M2 things seen on the other test mule.

Have we ever had a test chassis were a body from a different series?

[Schm]

Mini Superleggera?

http://jalopnik.com/do-these-patent-...per-1669996718

[WilliCO]

A better looking 2 series profile is one thing it is, whatever else it may be.

[warzilla]

M240 is

[Diver]

Originally Posted by _Mbition

I don't know about anyone else but I kinda love that lower roofline. And my mule guess is that it has the s55 under the hood....

Agree on the roof. Engine is more likely to be an N55.