New Delhi: BMW M have confirmed that their next-generation of high-performance vehicles will be completely electric, with Neue Klasse-based performance car
models coming next year. The shift will be BMW M’s first ground-up electric performance platform and a significant change in direction for the German brand.
In 2027, the brand suggests that what was recently spotted, the M3 “ZA0”, will be coming to the market. Before its debut, some early technical details do suggest that BMW is making an effort to ensure that their EVs are as exciting to drive as the M badge stands for.
What to expect from the BMW electric M3?
BMW electric M3 will come with four electric motors
The EV super saloon will come with four electric motors, with two mounted at each axle. This means, as a standard, it will come with all-wheel drive, although rear-wheel drive will be possible by disconnecting the front motors. Turning off the xDrive won’t just bring the tail happy behaviour of an M car, but also will improve efficiency, unlocking more miles of range.
BMW have said that the quad-motor configuration will come with an amazing driving experience like never before, coming with one electric motor and gearbox per wheel. These motors will draw power from a battery developed specifically for M cars. With cylindrical cells, the new pack has more than 100 kWh of usable energy delivered. It serves as a structural component, bolted to both axles to increase chassis stiffness.
Even though BMW haven’t disclosed the bhp it will deliver, it is safe to assume that with the iX3 50 xDrive making 463 bhp from a dual-motor configuration, it should exceed 600 bhp with just two motors. It is likely to be called iX3 M60, and with two additional motors, it should be at the 700 bhp ballpark.
This figure is pretty possible with the VDX concept; going almost double this figure, bringing an output of 1,300 bhp above.
BMW are also likely to bring the ICE nostalgia in the form of giving electric M3 simulated gear shifts and artificial engine sounds. The drivers may be able to disable these gimmicks if they would rather enjoy the EV’s silence. For ICE lovers, there will be a new M3 codenamed “G84” that will come with an inline-six when it comes later in the decade, probably in 2028.
It is good that there is an electric version of M3, though the success remains to be seen as M cars need to be proper performance breds meant for motor enthusiasts. For most, an M badge means pure motoring, which includes an inline six-cylinder engine and a manual gearbox.
