The upcoming electric BMW M3 comes standard with all-wheel drive and four motors.
It should set a new benchmark for M3 output.
Simulated gear shifts and cabin sound effects are part of the package.

BMW revealed the M Concept Neue Klasse earlier this month and confirmed plans for a production electric M3. The road car is expected to appear next year. Although the company has offered performance EVs such as the i4 M50 for several years, this will mark the first time an M division model abandons the combustion engine entirely.

The new sedan is positioned to become the most potent M3 in the nameplate history that stretches back to the 1986 E30. Exact output remains undisclosed, yet BMW has ruled out matching the 1341 horsepower Vision Driving Experience concept shown in early 2025. Industry estimates place the four-motor car well above 600 horsepower once an intermediate i3 M Performance model clears the 500-horsepower threshold.

Photo by: BMW

Driving Feel Matters Most

Christian Karg, head of functional integration and vehicle dynamics, told Auto Express that precision defines the M experience more than peak numbers. The electric M3, which will not carry an iM3 badge, is described as remarkably engaging when it reaches customers in 2027.

Beyond the drivetrain layout, BMW plans to include selectable simulated gear changes. Alexander Karajlovic, M development chief, noted that distinct ratios help drivers judge corner entry speeds on track and will therefore remain available in the electric model. Occupants can disable the feature if desired.

Engine-Inspired Audio Included

A custom sound profile will accompany the car. Engineers captured signature notes from classic inline-six, V8, and V10 engines to create an authentic acoustic layer for future electric M vehicles. Like the virtual gearbox, the audio can be turned off.

Buyers not yet prepared for battery power will still have options. A fresh gasoline M3 is slated for 2028 and will likely pair its six-cylinder engine with mild-hybrid assistance. That powertrain may arrive without a manual transmission or rear-wheel-drive variant, although xDrive will retain a switchable two-wheel-drive setting.

2026 BMW M Concept Neue Klasse

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Source: BMW

What do you think?

Motor1's Take: Simulated shifts in an electric M3 will divide opinion, yet the continued availability of a gasoline model offers reassurance to traditionalists. Meeting tighter emissions rules while preserving a high-performance six-cylinder engine is increasingly challenging, so BMW earns credit for maintaining that configuration.

Enthusiasts open to an electric M will find the concept a close preview of the final design. When the production car arrives, appearance will change little, but chassis behavior will determine acceptance. Managing the extra mass from a battery exceeding 100 kWh will be central to delivering the expected M agility.

Gas Or Electric?

Sources: Auto Express, Piston Heads