BMW’s M performance division is committing to an electric future, with its first new models set to come out by 2027.
The Munich-based carmaker recently announced that the first M Neue Klasse will make its debut next year.
“The BMW M Neue Klasse will usher in a new era in the high-performance vehicle segment and, for the first time, bring BMW M’s motto, ‘Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets. Core of a passionate community’, to life with a fully electric drivetrain,” said the company.
Neue Klasse (German for “New Class”) is the term used to describe BMW’s next-generation vehicles, which have been designed from the ground up with electrification in mind.
The first Neue Klasse model – the iX3 – has already been unveiled and is scheduled to go on sale in Europe this spring, after which it will be rolled out to other markets.
This is only the beginning, as BMW has turned its attention to its coveted M division.
“The next generation of models are set to establish a new benchmark in the high-performance vehicle segment,” said Franciscus van Meel, Managing Director of BMW M GmbH.
“With the latest generation of Neue Klasse technology, we are taking the BMW M driving experience to a new level and will inspire our customers with outstanding, racetrack-ready driving dynamics for everyday use.”
What we know so far
The Neue Klasse is not the first electric BMW to bear M credentials, as we already have access to models like the i4 M60, i5 M60, and i70 M70.
However, this will mark the first time that a BMW M car has been developed from the ground up as an all-electric model on the new platform.
The company has yet to announce the marketing name for its first M Neue Klasse car; however, we do know that the brand is working on an electric sedan called the i3, which strongly suggests that the first next-gen option will be the iM3.
This is supported by the new, official teaser images of the vehicle in camouflage being tested on an ice track.
BMW is still keeping most of the details of its new M car under wraps for the time being, though it did state that all M Neue Klasse models will feature two electric drive units over the front and rear axles.
This translates to four electric motors – one for each wheel – though the front axle can be completely decoupled.
This means drivers will be able to enjoy the advantages of both a rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive configuration, according to the automaker.
Furthermore, the electric car will use simulated gear shifts and feature a newly developed soundscape to replicate the experience of driving a traditional M car with a combustion engine.
The battery boasts over 100kWh of usable capacity, and uses a Gen6 cylindrical cell design with improved cooling and a higher energy density.
Unfortunately, BMW has yet to reveal the car’s power and torque outputs, as well as its range.
The manufacturer has also not shared any photos of the cabin, though it did note that the interior will employ natural fibre elements that are both sustainable and lightweight.
2027 BMW M Neue Klasse
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