Photo: BMW M
The next-generation BMW M3 sedan will also come as an EV. It will be the first electric M car, it will be underpinned by the company's Neue Klasse, and it should hit the market sometime in 2027 with a quad-motor, 1,000-megawatt setup.
We have been hearing rumors about the electric M3 for months now. Now, Frank Weber, member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, has confirmed the arrival of the EV. That means the end of the super controversial massive grille, unless BMW decides to keep it as a non-functional, design-only item.
BMW will also roll out an internal combustion engine-powered version. The engine will be derived from the current 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged unit, condemned S58. The Germans are working on making it compliant with the Euro 7 standard.
The upcoming BMW 3 Series should be underpinned by the company's Neue Klasse architecture, which BMW introduced with the Vision Neue Klasse concept at the beginning of September. The platform, which is due to launch in 2025, is – according to Weber – designed with four electric motors in mind. That would mean one engaging each of the wheels.
The system would also be able to adjust power delivery between the axles and turn the all-wheel drive electric car into a rear-wheel drive one. And how much power would there be? There is no information on that one, but in order for the EV to make sense, it should get more than the ICE-powered version. The BMW M head honchos indicate a megawatt sedan. 1,000 kW would translate into 1,341 horsepower (1,360 PS).
Weber understands that customers with something against the sound of an electric 1,000-kW car, but not with the way it delivers power and the way it handles.
The M3 currently on the market is powered by the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers 473 horsepower (480 PS) and takes 4.2 seconds to run from 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph).
The Competition version goes all the way to 503 horsepower (510 PS) and needs 3.9 seconds for the 0-100 kph acceleration. The CSL version benefits from the presence of 553 horsepower (560 PS).
All these figures are identical to those of the M4. The i4 M50 is currently the best-selling M model, but it will probably be phased out before June 2028 unless switched to the Neue Klasse architecture as well. All the ICE-powered M cars will most likely have the same fate.
Last month, BMW M CEO Frank van Meal said the brand is planning to sell more battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars than ICEs from 2028. The plug-in hybrid XM is the first electrified M. The X5 M Competition and the X6 M Competition are mild hybrids, while the M5 sedan and Touring are plug-in hybrids.
BMW will also roll out an internal combustion engine-powered version. The engine will be derived from the current 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged unit, condemned S58. The Germans are working on making it compliant with the Euro 7 standard.
The upcoming BMW 3 Series should be underpinned by the company's Neue Klasse architecture, which BMW introduced with the Vision Neue Klasse concept at the beginning of September. The platform, which is due to launch in 2025, is – according to Weber – designed with four electric motors in mind. That would mean one engaging each of the wheels.
The system would also be able to adjust power delivery between the axles and turn the all-wheel drive electric car into a rear-wheel drive one. And how much power would there be? There is no information on that one, but in order for the EV to make sense, it should get more than the ICE-powered version. The BMW M head honchos indicate a megawatt sedan. 1,000 kW would translate into 1,341 horsepower (1,360 PS).
Weber understands that customers with something against the sound of an electric 1,000-kW car, but not with the way it delivers power and the way it handles.
The M3 currently on the market is powered by the 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine that delivers 473 horsepower (480 PS) and takes 4.2 seconds to run from 0 to 100 kph (0-62 mph).
The Competition version goes all the way to 503 horsepower (510 PS) and needs 3.9 seconds for the 0-100 kph acceleration. The CSL version benefits from the presence of 553 horsepower (560 PS).
All these figures are identical to those of the M4. The i4 M50 is currently the best-selling M model, but it will probably be phased out before June 2028 unless switched to the Neue Klasse architecture as well. All the ICE-powered M cars will most likely have the same fate.
Last month, BMW M CEO Frank van Meal said the brand is planning to sell more battery-electric and plug-in hybrid cars than ICEs from 2028. The plug-in hybrid XM is the first electrified M. The X5 M Competition and the X6 M Competition are mild hybrids, while the M5 sedan and Touring are plug-in hybrids.
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