► BMW M goes electric
► EV sports car being tested
► Trialling quad motor setup
BMW has revealed more details of its forthcoming M cars and even revealed a picture of a new Neue Klasse-shaped M3 testing. The information comes from a new series by BMW’s M division, simply called ‘Electrified.’
BMW’s M boss Frank Van Meel says exactly what you’d expect to begin with, stating; ‘it’s not about transforming, it’s about embracing new technology and to find out how to push to the limits of what is technically possible.’
The video then moves on to BMW’s Heart of Joy, a singular ECU that centralises all aspects of the car’s behaviour into one. First revealed last year in Munich alongside the Neue Klasse concept, it’s a black box that BMW believes will put it well ahead of the competition in driving pleasure.
However, the most important soundbite comes from Carsten Wolf, head of Intergration Vehicle Characteristics at BMW M, who says: ‘We will see the technical concepts that we are developing here, four electric motors, in all BMW M High Performance vehicles sometime in the future.’
‘What we are developing here is basically the powertrain and driving dynamics modular system that is crucial for the future of M GmbH’
Four motors
This information fits perfectly with a story CAR broke in early 2023. Back then our spy photographers snapped an i4 mule very much like the one shown in BMW’s latest video, and we paired it with information that suggested BMW’s high-performance EVs could make up around 1000bhp across both axles.
And the M3 Neue Klasse?
BMW M also revealed a picture of the new Neue Klasse-based M3, shown at the top of this page. Decked out in the same funky M camouflage as the i4 prototype, it features the same mini-sharknose as the standard i3 we’ve seen testing, but larger bumpers, wheels and wheelarches betray its increased performance.
We’ll update this article when we know more.