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Constantin Buschmann

Constantin Buschmann

Bloomberg Hot Pursuit! Jul 18, 2026 40 min
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About this episode

Constantin Buschmann, Brabus’ CEO, joins Bloomberg Hot Pursuit, and the conversation quickly turns into a BMW M2 vs M4 value debate—especially the idea that the M2 CS is “so good” that the M4 step-up may not make sense. They compare shared inline-six twin-turbo architecture, then argue about modern dashboard screens versus physical controls and the cost-cutting behind losing manuals. The show also pivots to tinnitus and hearing protection, before shifting back to Buschmann’s passion-driven, V12 “pure GT” coach-built projects and brand philosophy.

Technical Too Afraid to Ask
Car

BMW M4

"I kind of think we don't need the M four. [94.7s] It's actually no shade to the M four. It's just [97.6s] that the M two, especially the CS, is so good."

The BMW M4 is BMW’s high-performance version of the 4 Series. It’s meant to be quick and fun to drive, and here they’re comparing it to a smaller BMW M car.

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Car

BMW M2 CS

"It's actually no shade to the M four. It's just [97.6s] that the M two, especially the CS, is so good. [103.3s] It's like, why do you need to pay more for an inferior car?"

The BMW M2 CS is a special, more aggressive version of the BMW M2. In the conversation, they’re saying it’s such a great driving car that you might not need to step up to a larger, more expensive BMW.

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Car

BMW M8

"But in that case you could go with the M eight. I mean, I feel like you [118.0s] go one way or the other."

The BMW M8 is BMW’s big, powerful performance car. They mention it as the next step if you want something larger than the smaller M2.

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Term

twin turbo

"Now. They both both the M two [161.4s] and the M four have that three leader twin turbot in line six, so it's not like the M four gives you any real more performance."

“Twin turbo” means the engine uses two turbochargers to help it make more power. More air gets pushed into the engine, which usually makes the car feel quicker.

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inline six

"Now. They both both the M two [161.4s] and the M four have that three leader twin turbot in line six, so it's not like the M four gives you any real more performance."

An inline-six is an engine with six cylinders lined up in a row. It’s a common layout in performance BMWs, and here the host is saying both cars share that same basic engine design.

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bucket seats

"I [181.2s] also really liked the interior. I thought the bucket seats [185.7s] were actually I love that they cradle you and really hold you in."

Bucket seats are sport seats that wrap around you more than a normal seat. They help keep you positioned during cornering, and in this case they’re also adjustable and shaped to feel supportive.

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screens

"I thought [210.6s] the screens were fine, not overpowering, very straightforward. Everything sinked. [220.1s] There weren't a lot of layers to get to essential controls. ... [271.4s] One place that I one place that I can't agree is the screens. I don't I don't understand you approved [278.8s] the installation of these screens. It looks like they're just [281.8s] like glued on to the dash."

“Screens” are the digital displays in the dashboard for things like navigation, media, and driver info. The host thinks they’re too visually “tacked on” rather than smoothly integrated.

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carbon fiber

"I even [231.4s] thought that the multiple textures inside with the carbon fiber, and you know some of these other details that and the colors can get a little well, usually they get a little too much, but here it just all felt very of a kind."

Carbon fiber is a strong, lightweight material that’s often used in sporty car interiors. It usually looks “techy” or premium, and the host is saying it fits the car’s interior style well.

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door cards

"But they have. [261.0s] This really sweet BMW kind of I don't know, it's not engraving or embossing. I don't know what it is. [267.8s] But on the on the door cards, that's great."

Door cards are the panels you see on the inside of the doors. They often include the armrest and controls, and here the host is praising their design.

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embossing

"This really sweet BMW kind of I don't know, it's not engraving or embossing. I don't know what it is. [267.8s] But on the on the door cards, that's great."

Embossing is when a design is pressed into a surface so it sticks out (or goes in) instead of just being printed. The host is saying the door trim has a look like that.

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Car

M4 GTS

"which you know, my neighbor Eric had the old M two and now he has the M four GTS from twenty sixteen. That setup is just so much better."

The BMW M4 GTS is a high-performance, more track-oriented M4. The hosts bring it up while talking about whether big dashboard screens are a good idea or whether physical buttons are better for a driver-focused car.

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physical buttons

"And physical buttons for the stuff that you're going to be doing often. I think they made a real mistake,"

Physical buttons are the real knobs and buttons you can press without looking at a screen. The speaker prefers them because they’re quicker and easier to use while you’re driving.

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analog controls

"I wonder totally, and I know that we have seene automakers sort of revert back to analog controls. Multiple automakers have done this."

Analog controls are the traditional knobs and buttons you use directly, not touchscreen menus. The host is saying some brands have been returning to that style, but they don’t think the big screens will go away.

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screen that rolls away

"And frankly, some companies like Bentley, you know they have that screen that rolls away. Yeah, so you flip screen, you don't."

A “screen that rolls away” is a dashboard display that can move out of sight. The idea is to keep the interior from looking dominated by a big screen when you don’t need it.

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Brand

Bentley

"And frankly, some companies like Bentley, you know they have that screen that rolls away."

Bentley is a luxury car maker. The host mentions it because some Bentleys use a screen that can move away when you’re not using it, so it doesn’t dominate the dashboard all the time.

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manual option

"Well, I think it's mainly cost cutting, right, They won't want to make things cheaper. The reason that you don't [454.1s] have a handbrake, the reason that you don't have a manual option, the reason that you don't have physical buttons and knobs is that it's cheaper."

A “manual option” means the car can be bought with a stick shift. Some people like it because it feels more connected to driving, but manufacturers sometimes don’t offer it to save money or because fewer people buy it.

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Car

M two

"So what did you [528.3s] think about the fact that there's no manual option with the CS on the M two. Is it all? [534.2s] Yes? And I don't have an ego attached to this."

The BMW M2 is a small, sporty BMW made for driving fun. Here, they’re talking about whether you can get it with a manual (stick shift) and how that changes what people want to buy.

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manual transmission

"[534.2s] Yes? And I don't have an ego attached to this. [537.2s] I don't need like a stick shift to feel cool or whatever, and I don't think it makes sense to have it in a lot of cars, but this would be the car to have it in for sure as an option."

A “stick shift” is a car with a manual gearbox. You choose gears yourself with the gear lever (usually with a clutch pedal), and the host is saying that doesn’t automatically make a car cooler—it depends on the car.

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I shift transmission

"It would make a thousand just something very short, [549.6s] a very quick short shift transmission would be really really fun and would sort of be the cherry on top. [556.6s] I could imagine buying like for real and M two instead of you know, stepping up to a nine to eleven."

A “short shift transmission” is a manual setup that makes shifting feel quicker and more direct. Instead of moving the shifter a long way, it’s designed to move less for faster, smoother gear changes.

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race livery

"And that also reminds me, like going back [610.6s] to the M four, the M four comes with you know, like an extra extreme looking race livery with Riviera blue color and like this anthracite detailing, and it's supposed to look really extreme, even more extreme than the M two."

A “race livery” is the sporty, racing-themed paint and graphics on a car. It’s mostly about looks—making the car look like it belongs on a track.

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Riviera blue

"the M four comes with you know, like an extra extreme looking race livery with Riviera blue color and like this anthracite detailing, and it's supposed to look really extreme, even more extreme than the M two."

“Riviera blue” is a specific named blue paint color. It’s not just “blue”—it’s a particular shade BMW uses on some models.

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anthracite detailing

"with Riviera blue color and like this anthracite detailing, and it's supposed to look really extreme, even more extreme than the M two. [629.8s] And they also charge more. The M four is like"

“Anthracite detailing” means dark gray (almost black) accents on the car. It’s used to make the design stand out, especially against a brighter color.

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Car

Rolls-Royce Phantom

"... at least who has tonightis, which is a sort of a phantom ringing in your ears. It's ringing or humming or ..."

The Rolls-Royce Phantom is a very expensive luxury car, built as a large, comfortable sedan. It’s designed to feel smooth and quiet, with lots of high-end features. People bring it up when they want to talk about the most luxurious type of car.

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tinnitus

"It's ringing or humming or scratching that is not from an external source, and it's not hearing loss. It's related [710.5s] and the biggest cause of Tonight's is sound exposure."

Tinnitus is when you hear ringing or buzzing in your ears even when nothing is making that sound. The episode also points out that loud noise exposure is a major cause.

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Term

FDA approved treatment

"There's [721.2s] only one FDA approved treatment for tonightas there's a lot of smoking, smoke and mirrors and snake oil out there."

“FDA approved” means a treatment has been reviewed by the U.S. government for safety and effectiveness. The host is saying that for tinnitus, there’s only one officially approved option, while many other products are questionable.

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IFB

"[767.2s] You know what, I've always felt like it's time for me to start protecting my ears. You're right. TV news [772.6s] anchors get it a lot because we're always we have the IFB in our ears, the same as you know, musicians have a say"

IFB is the audio cue system used in TV and live events—basically a private earpiece feed for instructions. The point they’re making is that people in that environment may be exposed to audio in a way that affects their ears.

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individualization

"as the mega trend of individualization. You know, today you can inspect your Dell computer with custom parts, you can customize your Nike shoe."

They mean making things more personal instead of standard. In cars, that usually means customizing details so it feels like it was made for you.

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bonnet

"driving an sl R one twenty nine in the nineties without the bonnet, without the hood, you know, and on the highway in Germany"

A “bonnet” is just the hood of the car. They’re saying the photo was taken with it removed, which makes it look more dramatic.

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Car

Jeep Renegade

"...e. And he was somebody that was a little bit of a renegade, typical first generation entrepreneur, typical p..."

The Jeep Renegade is a small SUV made by Jeep. It’s meant to be easy to drive in everyday traffic, while still having a rugged style. People might mention it because it’s a compact “Jeep” option.

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Car

Bodo

"If you if you look at cars like the Bodo, it is the most per the most passion driven project, not only of my life but of a large You know, almost everybody in the team"

They’re talking about the “Bodo,” a very special, custom supercar project. It’s described as rare and built for clients who really care about cars.

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coach-built

"If I'm not mistaking that it's a Coach built Grant Turismo coop based on and Aston Martin with a Mercedes engine."

“Coach built” means the car is made in a more custom, specialist way instead of being mass-produced. It’s like a high-end custom build tailored to the buyer.

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horsepower

"Coach built Grant Turismo coop based on and Aston Martin with a Mercedes engine. Am I getting that right? A thousand horsepower."

Horsepower is a number that tells you how much power the engine can produce. More horsepower usually means stronger acceleration and higher top-end potential.

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Botto
Olaf Meister (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Car

Botto

"So the Botto is a is a car that is a large granturismal coop that is both inspired but as we say, the bold nature of the automobiles. So it's got this long tail, gentle wear and at the same time a muscle car gt front, long bonnet, very high in the front, very stance and presence driven design, two plus two seater, very attitude forward."

The Botto is a luxury-style car meant for comfortable driving over longer distances, but it’s styled to look bold and aggressive. It’s also described as a two-plus-two, meaning it has seats for four people with a more sporty layout.

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grand touring

"So the Botto is a is a car that is a large granturismal coop that is both inspired but as we say, the bold nature of the automobiles."

“Grand touring” usually means a car designed for long drives. It aims to be comfortable, but it still looks and drives in a sporty way.

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two plus two seater

"got this long tail, gentle wear and at the same time a muscle car gt front, long bonnet, very high in the front, very stance and presence driven design, two plus two seater, very attitude forward."

“Two plus two” means there are four seats total. The back seats are usually smaller and best for short trips or smaller passengers, while the front seats are the main seats.

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limited use vehicle

"This is a limited vehicle. Obviously, how many will you make?"

A “limited vehicle” means only a certain number of cars will be built. That’s usually done to keep the car rare and special.

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base price

"Well, sorry, Matt, what your question? One million euros base price plus options that will make it go to about one point two one point three million euros."

“Base price” is the starting sticker price for the car. Options and add-ons can increase the final cost.

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twelve cylinder

"that this is a twelve cylinder vehicle. It's not a hybrid, [1354.2s] it's not an electric vehicle."

A “twelve cylinder” engine has 12 combustion chambers. It usually makes the car feel smoother and sounds special, which is why some people specifically want that kind of engine.

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hybrid

"that this is a twelve cylinder vehicle. It's not a hybrid, [1354.2s] it's not an electric vehicle."

A hybrid uses two kinds of power, usually a gas engine and an electric motor. In this conversation, they’re saying the car isn’t that kind of setup.

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manual shifting

"Do they want manual shifting. Do they want evs? Do [1364.7s] they want twelve cylinders?"

Manual shifting means you choose the gears yourself instead of letting the car do it. Many drivers like it because it feels more connected and controllable.

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real-wheel drive

"those customers are very clearly telling us that they appreciate the fact that this is a twelfth cylinder, non hybrid, real wheel drive, old school grand tourism."

They’re basically saying it uses a traditional drivetrain feel rather than an electrified one. The point is that it’s meant to drive like an old-school grand tourer.

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grand tourism

"non hybrid, real wheel drive, old school grand tourism. I mean, don't get me wrong, it's a [1437.8s] very very contemporary design."

A “grand touring” car is built for long drives—comfortable, smooth, and still quick. Here they’re saying the car is meant to feel like a classic GT, not a modern electrified one.

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restore

"Do they typically buy the million dollar supercars, you know, the six by six or the incredible recreations of Mercedes and Porsie that you build, or do they buy the classics that you restore. [1492.0s] It's interesting to look at that"

“Restore” here means taking an older classic car and fixing it up so it’s in good shape again. It can involve mechanical repairs and bodywork.

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aftermarket

"It was the beginning [1500.4s] of the car tuning scene, modifications, aftermarket everything that every picture that comes to your mind in terms of that from Germany is correct."

Aftermarket means parts that aren’t made by the car’s original manufacturer. It often includes upgrades and modifications.

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three D

"I said, guys, I'm seeing a crew. I'm seeing a team that can design, [1530.6s] that can put it, that can take these designs and you know, realize them in three D."

“Three D” means they build a digital 3D model of the car or parts. It helps them design and test things before making real pieces.

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wind tunnel

"take your [1530.6s] designs to the wind tunnel or to a test track. [1537.2s] You can put a number plate on them."

A wind tunnel is a place where they test how air moves around a car. It helps engineers make the car more aerodynamic and efficient.

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test track

"take your [1530.6s] designs to the wind tunnel or to a test track. [1537.2s] You can put a number plate on them."

A test track is a special driving course used for development. Engineers use it to see how the car behaves in real driving conditions.

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molds

"You can make molds, [1537.2s] you can make parts."

Molds are like custom forms used to shape parts. Once you have the design, a mold helps you make the real component with the right shape.

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powertrain

"we do front side, rear, bumper, exhaust, interior, motor, et cetera."

A powertrain is the mechanical/electrical system that makes the car move. It includes the main driving components like the engine or motor and the parts that send that power to the wheels.

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EV

"Something that Matt and I talk about a lot is the idea that cars are emotional... whether an electric car could ever be emotional? In your opinion, can an ev create one second wow?"

An electric vehicle is a car that runs on electricity stored in batteries. The discussion is about whether EVs can still feel exciting and emotional, not just practical.

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Concept

A to B segment

"There is in a let me call it an A to B segment, kind of a very pragmatic... take my kids to school, go to work, drive back segment, and let me do that in the most cost effective, pragmatic way that I can."

The “A to B segment” is the market slice of drivers who mainly need transportation for everyday routines—commuting, school runs, and getting to work efficiently. The speaker claims this segment is likely to go fully electric first because it prioritizes practicality and cost-effective operation.

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Concept

full electrification of car markets

"But that is what I'm what I'm feeling in the market is that this segment is going to be electric... obstacles geographically and politically to realize to realize full electrification of car markets across the world one hundred percent"

This means pushing car sales so that electric cars become the norm everywhere. The speaker thinks it won’t happen at the exact same speed in every country because of different barriers.

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combustion engine

"buying something through that perspective, you're looking at combustion engines, you're looking at a segment of the market..."

A combustion engine is an engine that creates power by burning fuel (like gasoline or diesel) inside cylinders. The speaker contrasts this traditional setup with electric cars to argue that the “wow” and history tied to classics like the Porsche 911 may not transfer the same way to EVs.

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Car

nine eleven

"And it's because when I buy that watch, the same as when I buy a nine eleven, the same as when I buy a Ferrari."

“Nine eleven” is how some people refer to the Porsche 911. It’s a famous sports car model with a long history, and people often associate it with the classic gas-engine experience.

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battery packaging

"Does that mean that there can be electric cars that are have a complete wow effect, that have beautiful design within the realms of what the technology offers you, of course, such as battery packaging and so on and so forth."

Battery packaging is how the car’s battery is laid out and built into the vehicle. It affects things like how much room you get and how the car is designed and balanced.

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Brand

KTM

"I love the collaboration with KTM. How did you get so far as the design and island or two?"

KTM is a well-known company that makes motorcycles, and it can also partner on vehicle projects. In this segment, it’s brought up as part of how the design and engineering came together.

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Brand

Brabas

"Let me start off this way. I perceive Brabas as a design house. I'm looking at it from I'm getting up in the morning driving to exactly the company that I want to work on with..."

Brabas is a company that works on cars—often by tuning and styling them—so they feel more special and more performance-oriented. The host is describing it as a design-first outfit that works closely with teams.

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Car

Fiat Brava

"...lly Are we going to do the Are we going to do the Bravas labeled water cooker? No, we're not. Okay, good g..."

The Fiat Brava is a small car made by Fiat, built mainly for everyday driving. It’s a hatchback, meaning the rear opens upward to give access to the cargo area. The podcast might mention it because the name “Brava” stands out.

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