BMW Answers Cadillac's Vsport, Audi's S Line With MPA Cars

TTAC Staff
by TTAC Staff

When Cadillac brought out their Vsport editions, cars that have higher performance than stock models but not quite the full-tilt performance offered in the V versions, some saw it as a watering down of the V brand. Now BMW appears to be following Cadillac’s lead with M Performance Automobiles, or MPA. Automotive News reports that MPA cars will have greater horsepower and a more sporting driving experience but they won’t have all of the chassis and performance mods that the top of the line M high performance models have. They also won’t have the high price tags of the M cars. The idea is to offer enthusiasts a moderately priced model with more performance than the base car.

The MPA lineup will be introduced in the U.S. when the M235i goes on sale next month. The coupe is BMW’s new entry level car in the U.S. market, replacing the 1 Series two door. The MPA subbrand was launched earlier in Europe with diesel models that are not offered in the U.S.

The MPA versions will have revised interiors, performance tuning, a stiffer suspension and bigger brakes to go with exterior trim including a front apron. Door sills will have aluminum plates inscribed with the model designation.

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  • Mark Morrison Mark Morrison on Feb 10, 2014

    It always annoyed me that the value of AMG and M got so diluted by these stupid appearance packages. An AMG E250 Diesel is ridiculous and totally devalues the AMG brand. Audi has the right idea with S-line and you won't find RS on anything but a bonafide RS performance car

  • Mypoint02 Mypoint02 on Feb 10, 2014

    I sat in the M235i at the Chicago Auto Show today. I liked it. Quite a bit more compact than the 4 series, but the interior is basically identical. It felt about the size of an E46 coupe. The back seat is unusable, but if you're buying a coupe does it really matter? A 435 M sport is over $50k without any options. This is $7k cheaper. I'd be worried about it cannibalizing the 4 if I were BMW NA. Personally, I'd get one of these with minimal options and three pedals and call it a day.

  • Krhodes1 Krhodes1 on Feb 10, 2014

    This is REALLY nothing new - there were e12 M535i then e28 M535i cars waay back in the late 70s early 80s. Long before the M5. They had bodykits, sport suspension and close ratio gearboxes, but the standard engine. Never sold in the US. The odd thing to me about the M235i is that there is no plain 235i. It is either the M version or nothing, at least at this point. I suppose they will add that later.

  • Oldyak Oldyak on Feb 13, 2014

    Hey Chevy did it with the Rallye Sport vs. the SS vs. the Z28! If it gets more enthusiasts into a 'enthusiasts' car,more power to them! Just DON'T EVER put 4 exhaust tips on a MPA!!!

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