BMW’s M3 is set to be offered in two distinct variants in the near future: one featuring an electric drivetrain and the other powered by a gasoline engine.
This development was shared by Frank van Meel, the head of BMW M, during an interview with the BMW enthusiast platform Bimmer Today, which was made public on Thursday.
In June, van Meel had already confirmed that an electric M3 is on the way. This model will utilize a quad-motor configuration, and test versions of modified i4 hatchbacks equipped with the new powertrain have been cruising on public roads since at least 2022. It is anticipated that peak output could reach as high as 1,341 hp.
The upcoming M3 variants are expected to differ significantly beyond just their powertrains. The electric M3 will be built on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, specifically designed for electric vehicles, while the petrol-powered M3 is likely to utilize an updated version of the CLAR platform that currently underpins the existing M3.
An electric X3, likely to carry the iX3 badge, is set to debut next year as the first vehicle based on the Neue Klasse. Following that, an electric 3-Series is expected to arrive in 2026, likely branded as the i3. This suggests that the electric M3, potentially called i3 M or something akin, is projected to launch around 2027, coinciding with the arrival of the next gasoline 3-Series. It is anticipated that the M3 version will be unveiled approximately six months to a year after the standard sedan.
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