BMW M set to go electric

It's news that shouldn't surprise anyone - BMW has officially announced that its M performance division is fully embracing electrification. Come 2027, BMW M will roll out a new generation of electric performance cars. 

It's being called the BMW M Neue Klasse, and as the name would obviously suggest, will be built on many of the developments ushered in by Neue Klasse models starting with the new iX3. 

Upcoming electric M cars will utilise a quad-motor setup, with power drawn from a performance-optimised battery pack that promises long range and ultra-fast charging

Key to performance is the quad-motor setup - each wheel will be driven by its own electric motor. This allows power and torque at each wheel to be individually controlled, enabling optimum traction, continuous torque distribution between the electrohydraulic braking system and the electric motors, and maximised brake energy recuperation. BMW also says that the front axle can be decoupled, providing the option of both rear and all-wheel drive. BMW says that these electric M models will deliver a level of performance previously unattained by its current production models (the most powerful current model is the 738bhp XM Label Red). 

No specific performance figures have been quoted, but the 1,000bhp threshold seems entirely crossable - several quad-motor electric performance cars in the market (including the likes of the Rimac Nevera, Xiaomi SU7 Ultra and Yangwang U9, just to name a few) already make upside of a thousand horsepower. 

Besides delivering what's expected to be immense power, the four 'superbrains' and BMW M Dynamic Performance Control promises M-authentic handling and dynamism (big drifts likely incuded)

That immense performance will be supported by the Gen6 eDrive technology, underpinned by the 800V architecture and new cylindrical cells. According to BMW, the battery pack will have over 100kWh of capacity (for reference, the battery in the new iX3 is 108.7kWh and has a quoted range of 805km). Besides promising long drive range and ultra-fast charging, the M Neue Klasse will also offer the highest recuperation values across all BMW Neue Klasse models. But the battery technology isn't simply being carried over. It has been specifically adapted for high-performance applications, with performance-optimised cell chemistry, cooling system and Energy Master to deliver higher peak output and charging power compared to the standard series EVs. The battery housing will also be a structural component, increasing the overall stiffness of the chassis. 

Like the rest of the Neue Klasse range, the M Neue Klasse will have four 'superbrains' that control all of the cars driving functions. They are supported by the 'BMW M Dynamic Performance Control', which will enable maximum recuperation and optimum traction, as well as more direct driving response. 

The new electric M cars will debut a new material that uses natural fibre elements

The electric M lineup will also see the debut of new materials. Specifically, BMW is introducing natural fibre elements that support a lightweight construction, and also BMW's pursuit of increased sustainability. Already applied in motorsport, the material offers similar properties to carbon fibre but produced with around 40% lower carbon emissions. 

So, which model will come first? BMW has yet to specify this, but it's a good bet that the first electric M car will be the successor to the M3 (will it be called the iM3 or a new naming convention altogether?). These first official images already show a camouflaged four-door sedan, and we know that the new electric 3 Series - the new i3 - is slated to be officially launched in the near future. The 2+2 math is fairly simple here. 

And perhaps the biggest question on enthusiasts' minds: Is the petrol-powered M car dead? The answer, at least for now, is no. BMW has committed that the upcoming M model will be offered both as an electric and combustion model, which is in line with the brand's current overall direction and continued investment in combustion technology. So, petrol is certainly not dead, but electrification is clearly the future for BMW M performance.