BMW’s M3 will come in two separate versions in the future, one with an electric powertrain and the other with a gas engine.
The information was revealed by BMW M boss Frank van Meel in an interview with BMW enthusiast website Bimmer Today published on Thursday.
The M boss already confirmed in June that an electric M3 is coming. Its powertrain will feature a quad-motor setup, and modified i4 hatchbacks running the new powertrain have been testing on public roads since at least 2022. Peak power is expected to reach as high as 1,341 hp.
As for the gas version, van Meel in his interview with Bimmer Today said the current twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 will stick around for years to come, as engineers are working to ensure it meets future emissions rules, particularly in the European Union. The gas version of the future M3 may not be as powerful as its electric counterpart, but a likely lighter curb weight should ensure it delivers just as much fun. Van Meel didn’t say whether hybrid technology will be used, but it is possible, as seen in the latest M5.
Frank van Meel
The two M3 versions are likely to differ well beyond their powertrains. That’s because the electric M3 will be based on BMW’s Neue Klasse dedicated EV platform, while the future gas M3 will likely use an updated version of the CLAR platform underpinning the current M3.
An electric X3, likely badged an iX3, debuts next year as the first Neue Klasse-based vehicle. It will be followed in 2026 by an electric 3-Series, likely badged an i3. This means the electric M3, which may be badged i3 M, or something similar, will likely surface around 2027. That’s about when the next gas 3-Series is due. The M3 version should trail the regular sedan by about six months to a year.
In the case of the electric M3, van Meel has also hinted that it may come with something similar to Hyundai’s simulated gear shifts. He said in June that such a system provides a sense of how fast the car is accelerating and the speeds it is reaching without the driver actually having to look, which will aid the driver in extreme situations, like on a racetrack.