BMW Exec: No Need for 9 Series Sedan

BMW AG refutes media reports that it plans a top-end 9 Series sport sedan.

There’s no need for such a model, Klaus Frohlich, who heads BMW research and development, tells Autocar. He says the carmaker already has the large luxury car segment sufficiently covered with the current 7 Series sedan, X7 SUV/crossover and 8 Series coupe.

Frohlich adds that any Bimmer model positioned above its current offerings would infringe on the company’s ultra-luxury Rolls-Royce marquee. He also suggests that there is diminishing demand for large luxury sedans, noting that some competitors are reducing the number of models they offer in the segment.

Frohlich’s comments counter those made last summer by BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk. Asserting the carmaker “won’t stop” with the new 8 Series, Hooydonk told Autocar a 9 Series sports sedan was one of several future products being evaluated. Other publications have suggested that a sportier version of the X7 SUV could be in the works.