BMW M Boss: Electric M3 "beat everything"
In an interview with Motor Trend announced on Tuesday, Frank van Meel, head of the M Division, said the first electric M car is likely to be based on the Neue Klasse compact sedan in 2026 and form part of the extended 3-series range. The sedan is rumored to revive the i3 badge that BMW last used on an electric hatchback. The car was previewed by Vision Neue Klasse concept last year.
The M version, called the i3M, is expected to debut in 2026 or 2027, and according to van Meel, the car will "beat everything" we've seen before. It's safe to assume that this statement contains exaggerations, but it points out how seriously the M division, renowned for providing benchmarks for performance gas engines, is taking the EV revolution.
The development of the powertrain for electric M vehicles is far from its initial stage. As early as 2022 the M division revealed a test mule that was ridiculed to accommodate an electric powertrain of 4 motors. According to motor trends, the starting point of the powertrain will be at least 1,000 kw, or about 1,341 horsepower. Such an output ensures that the car will be faster than the previous M cars.
But the star of the show is not just a big power number. By using an individual motor for each wheel, the chassis control system can accurately direct power where necessary to provide a new level of handling. Instead of spending time on special features like tank turns, Van Meel told Motor Trend that it is working hard to ensure "neutral, linear and predictable" handling even when the chassis control system is at its limit.
For M purists, rear-wheel drive will also be available in future M EVs, van Meel assured in his interview.
The upcoming Neue Klasse Ev will also include a crossover in the same segment as the X3. It was previewed by neue Klasse X concept on May 3 and could replace the ix3 electric crossover currently sold abroad. It is due as soon as next year, and there is also a good chance it will have the M version at some point.
