Next BMW M3 to offer gas and electric powertrains

BMW's M3 will be split into two versions in the future, one with an electric powertrain and one with a gas engine.

This information was revealed by BMW M boss Frank van Meer in an interview with BMW enthusiast website Bimmer Today published on Thursday.

The M boss has already confirmed that an electric M3 will be launched in June. Its powertrain features a quad-motor setup, and a modified i4 hatchback with the new powertrain has been tested on public roads since at least 2022. Peak output is expected to reach 1,341 hp.

As for the gas version, the current twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 will be around for years to come as engineers work to meet future emission regulations, especially those of the European Union, Van Meel told Bimmer Today Van Meel said in an interview with Bimmer Today. A gas-powered version of the future M3 may not be as powerful as an electric car, but it will likely be lighter and should offer the same level of enjoyment.

Van Meer did not say whether hybrid technology would be employed, but it is a possibility, as seen in the latest M5.

The two M3 versions are likely to have significant differences besides their powertrains. This is because the electric M3 will be based on BMW's Neue Klasse EV-specific platform, while the future gas-powered M3 will most likely use an updated version of the CLAR platform that underpins the current M3.

The electric X3, possibly badged iX3, will debut next year as the first Neue Klasse-based vehicle. It will be followed in 2026 by the electric car 3 series, probably badged i3. In other words, the electric M3 car, which may be badged i3 M or similar, will most likely appear around 2027. The next gasoline 3 Series will arrive around that time, with the M3 version lagging behind the regular sedan by about six months to a year.

For the electric M3, Van Meer also hinted that it could feature something similar to Hyundai's simulated gearshift. He said in June that such a system would help drivers in extreme situations, such as on a racetrack, by providing a sense of the speed at which the car is accelerating and reaching without the driver actually seeing it.