It has long been mooted that BMW's M Division has wanted to build a halo supercar to rival the Mercedes-Benz SLS built by AMG and the Audi R8 by quattro, and if the latest trademark filings are to be believed it may get its own way.
A quick search of the databases at the Office of Harmonization for the Internal Market (OHIM) - the agency responsible for registering trademarks and designs valid across Europe - reveals that BMW is on something of a trademark offensive. In between various derivatives of the new M Performance cars (M140, M440 etc.), a whole raft of i cars and a handful of Rolls-Royce specific names is the rather interesting M10.
Of course the name itself does not tell us anything and the tying of the name to an M supercar is pure speculation, but considering the success of the SLS AMG and R8 it would certainly make sense. BMW M development boss, Albert Biermann, quashed rumours of an M supercar years ago when he said the idea, which had grown legs after the unveiling of the M1 Homage concept, was simply not on the cards due to economic concerns. However, in the same interview Biermann also ruled out a diesel powered M car...
Another name of note in the trademark filing was that of the M7. The luxurious barge of the BMW stable has always been missing a genuine rival to the Audi S8 and Mercedes-Benz S 63 AMG and while we are unlikely so see it for a few years, what with the current 7 Series having just received a facelift, it does show that the Bavarians are at least considering it.
Of course trademarking a name does not necessarily mean that a manufacturer will produce the car, it could just be a case of protecting the name, but that will not stop car fans speculating. Us included.