Skip advert
Advertisement

Hyundai poaches BMW M man to head performance division

BMW M executive Albert Biermann joins Hyundai Motor Group to further development of fast cars

Hyundai i30 Turbo 2015 - front

Hyundai and Kia’s aspirations to build serious performance cars have moved up a gear with the appointment of a key executive from BMW’s famous M division. Hyundai has already announced plans to form a performance sub-brand dubbed 'N' and this new appointment from BMW M appears to be the next step towards a sportier future for the Korean marques.

Advertisement - Article continues below

Albert Biermann, 57, will join Hyundai Motor Group in April 2015 as head of vehicle test & high performance development, and has been appointed to help speed up the roll-out of hot Hyundai and Kia models. He will be tasked with improving the dynamic capabilities of the brands’ models across the ranges. 

The firm says it intends to become "a technical leader in ride and handling, producing vehicles that lead their respective segments for driver engagement". 

Hyundai reveals new turbo hot hatch

Biermann brings with him more than 30 years of experience in the development of fast cars. He joined BMW in 1983 and was involved in some of the company’s most famous road and race cars, and was most recently vice president of engineering of BMW M Automobiles and BMW Individual at BMW M GmbH – a position he held since 2008.

Woong Chul Yang, vice chairman of Hyundai Motor Company and head of Hyundai-Kia R&D Center, said: “This is a senior engineering appointment and an important part of our effort to further optimise the dynamics of our vehicles, providing even greater rewards for keen drivers.

BMW M4 coupe review

“Mr. Biermann has unrivalled credentials in this field and his expertise and experience will help us bring forward the development of new Hyundai and Kia cars that are great to drive, as well as speed the transfer of innovative technologies and insights between our road-car and motorsport engineering teams.”

Do you think a little BMW M knowhow can push Hyundai to the top of the hot hatch charts?  Let us know in the comments section below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Best new cars coming in 2024
Best new cars coming in 2024 - header image
Best cars & vans

Best new cars coming in 2024

There are some big new models from the likes of BMW, Citroen, Dacia, Ford, MINI, Skoda and more on the way in 2024
12 Mar 2024
Hyundai Casper: dinky electric SUV to ghost in as Citroen e-C3 rival
Hyundai Casper (camouflaged) - front 3/4
News

Hyundai Casper: dinky electric SUV to ghost in as Citroen e-C3 rival

Hyundai’s entry-level EV is rumoured to be arriving in Europe sometime this year
5 Feb 2024
Is there a place for hydrogen in the zero-emissions future? Hyundai has the answers
Hydrogen pump
News

Is there a place for hydrogen in the zero-emissions future? Hyundai has the answers

The Korean firm is forging ahead with hydrogen, showing off its latest hydrogen technology at CES 2024
12 Jan 2024
Part helicopter, part plane, all electric: Hyundai’s Supernal S-A2 is as quiet as a dishwasher and ready to fly
Hyundai Supernal S-A2 - front
News

Part helicopter, part plane, all electric: Hyundai’s Supernal S-A2 is as quiet as a dishwasher and ready to fly

Korean maker is expanding its mobility portfolio with new eVTOL personal transport
10 Jan 2024

Most Popular

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”
Opinion - MG4
Opinion

“MG is easily outselling Jaguar, Land Rover and Bentley combined”

The wave of Chinese cars has arrived in the UK, and Mike Rutherford thinks it’s not about to stop any time soon
17 Mar 2024
Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.
Lotus Emira - driving
News

Car Deal of the Day: breathtaking Lotus Emira V6 for £45k and an I.O.U.

Our Deal of the Day for 15 March is a half-now, half-later plan for the last-ever petrol-powered Lotus sports car
15 Mar 2024
New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs
New Audi A5 Avant - exclusive image
News

New Audi A5 Sportback and Avant: prices, specs and info on sleek new compact execs

The new ICE and hybrid Audi A5 is due by year’s end in hatchback and estate forms
15 Mar 2024