- BMW has just revealed plans for an upcoming M3 powered by four electric motors, capable of producing 745kW of power.
- In addition to the all-electric version, the German automaker will also produce a straight-six petrol-powered M3 to give buyers a choice between combustion and electric power.
- Both versions of this new M3 are projected to arrive in 2027, with further details to be confirmed.
It’s a good day to be a car lover, because BMW has just revealed it’s building a fully electric M3. Housed under the BMW M Neue Klasse project, we’ve only been treated to a few snaps of the M3 prototype, but it will be a four-door saloon with a wild spec sheet and a slated release in 2027.
The headline here is it’ll be powered by four electric motors – one per wheel – delivering the kind of heart-starting torque vectoring engineers only dream about. This set-up should translate to precise control on every corner, massive traction, and the option to decouple the front axle for some loosey goosey rear-drive antics.
As far as power, BMW is staying tight-lipped for the moment, but it’s understood to be at least 745kW. For reference, the most powerful petrol M3 currently for available is the CS which delivers 405kW.
For the purists out there worried EVs are getting too much attention, there’s even better news. BMW will also be manufacturing a straight-six petrol M3 to launch alongside it, allowing future buyers to have the choice between silicon sorcery and old-school roar.
“The next generation of models are set to establish a new benchmark in the high-performance vehicle segment,” said BMW M boss Frank van Meel. “With the latest generation of Neue Klasse technology, we are taking the BMW M driving experience to a new level and will inspire our customers with outstanding, racetrack-ready driving dynamics for everyday use.”
As far as the specifics of what’s going on beneath the currently camouflaged livery, we don’t know everything, but what we do know is that it’ll sit on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, with the M division turning every dial as far as it’ll go. We’re talking twin e-drive units (front and rear), with each packing two motors with their own gearboxes; a structural battery of over 100kWh that ties the front and rear axles together for chassis stiffness; uprated cell chemistry for higher peak discharge, and faster charging.
Beyond that, four high-performance computers that BMW calls “Superbrains” are running the show, providing driving dynamics, assisted driving, infotainment, and comfort. Finally, they’re exploring natural-fibre composites that bring carbon-like properties, but with a reported 40% reduction in production emissions.
We’ve still got a little while to wait before these monsters are available to order, but it’s going to be an exciting few years inside the division’s Bavarian headquarters.
