- New electric BMW M car revealed
- First performance M with ‘Neue Klasse’ design
- Could get power in excess of 1,000hp
- Would be the most powerful BMW M car ever
- Quad motor set-up for driving experience ‘never achieved before’
Behold BMW’s first proper electric M car - and it could be the most powerful M model we’ve EVER seen.
You’re looking at what BMW calls the ‘M Neue Klasse’.
It’s a performance saloon powered by electricity alone and which wears the brand’s bold new design language, which we’ve discussed on these pages before.
While BMW isn’t saying as much (yet), the M Neue Klasse is, essentially, an electric M3, which has previously been referred to as the ‘iM3’ in some circles.
Not only is it the first genuine BMW M car powered by electricity (there are milder ‘M’ badged variants of the electric iX, i7, i5 and i4, admittedly, but they’re not true Ms), it’s got the potential to chuck out a staggering 1,000hp.
So, while BMW fans might be clutching their pearls at the thought of a BEV M3, it could trounce the plug-in hybrid XM or M5 when it comes to sheer performance.
Here’s everything we know so far.
Has BMW teased a new electric M3?
Without saying it explicitly, yes, BMW has revealed the M Neue Klasse - which could ultimately represent an electric M3 (potentially called the iM3).
It’s underpinned by a large 100 kWh battery, similar to what you’ll find in the BMW iX SUV.
But that tells just half the story.
The BMW M Neue Klasse gets four electric motors, one per wheel, for absolutely optimum levels of grip and torque control.
That, says BMW, gives you all the advantages of rear-wheel and all-wheel drive while enhancing driving dynamics on the road and racetrack.
Additionally, the front axle can be completely decoupled, giving you BMW’s famous rear-wheel drive experience while also increasing the range between charges.
A BMW spokesperson tells us: “The system enables precise control of torque and power at each individual wheel, allowing for optimal traction, continuous torque distribution between the braking system and electric motors, as well as brake energy recuperation right up to the limit. The result is a driving experience in BMW M production vehicles that has never been achieved before.”
How powerful is the BMW M Neue Klasse?
Precise power details for the BMW iM3 haven’t been confirmed yet, and it’s the same story for range.
But BMW says the electric drive units ‘are the most powerful drives BMW M has ever used’ and those in the know suggest power could be colossal.
While base versions are expected to develop around 700hp, range-toppers could hit the 1,000hp mark, making the electric M3 as powerful as a Porsche Taycan Turbo S or Turbo GT.
In another piece of news that may cause BMW aficionados to furrow their brows, the M Neue Klasse also gets simulated gear shifts (to ape the noise of a traditional petrol set up) in a similar way to what the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N achieves.
Franciscus van Meel, Managing Director of BMW M GmbH, says: “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.”
The electric BMW iM3 could launch in 2027 - and we’ll bring you further details when we get them.
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