Report: Next-Gen BMW M3 Will Be A Quad-Motor EV Super-Saloon

The impending electromobility is getting yet another victim on its list, as renowned German marque BMW reportedly will give one of its most iconic performance nameplates – the BMW M3 – an all-electric makeover by the end of this decade. Set to arrive later in 2027, the first all-electric M3 will have ‘crazy’ quad-motor setup, while offering similar or better driving dynamics compared to ‘traditional’ M cars.

BMW development chief Frank Weber (left) says the next-gen M3 EV will be based on the Vision Neue Klasse concept (right)

Speaking to Autocar UK, BMW development chief Frank Weber just confirmed that the upcoming M3 EV will underpin the marque’s new Neue Klasse EV platform, which was previewed by a concept of the same name during the IAA Mobility 2023 auto show prior.

Weber said both the current-gen M3 (left) and the next-gen M3 EV can coexist in the marque's lineup

Fortunately for petrolheads, the all-electric M3 won’t be coming sooner as expected as the current ICE-powered M3 will soldier on until the end of this decade, citing the current petrol model as “necessary”. With the new M3 EV set to debut later in 2027, Weber said that it is possible that the two M3s will coexist in a short period of time – perhaps serving as a perfect ‘buffer period’ for petrol M3 fans to ‘accept’ the new M3 EV.

As for the clues pertaining to the new M3 EV, Weber explained that all next-gen M EV models – including the M3 EV – will feature the marque’s revolutionary ‘Heart of Joy’ control unit. Described by Weber as a fundamental piece to all Neue Klasse-based EV models, this new control unit promises all new BMW performance EVs to boast a distinct driving character that has been the signature to many ICE-powered BMW models of late.

Clearly, BMW is putting a lot of faith into the ‘Heart of Joy’ control unit as the marque has spent many years in developing this new unit, channelling over three decades worth of experience into it. This control unit combines and oversees several mechanical systems of the car such as the chassis and powertrain control, with its proprietary software developed in-house by BMW.

BMW Vision Neue Klasse EV Concept

The ‘Heart of Joy’ control unit will be replacing the marque’s current ‘Hand of God’ control unit, which was first introduced in the BMW i8 hybrid sportscar. Unlike the prior control unit, the ‘Heart of Joy’ system has been developed to support quad-motor drivetrain setups, where it will dictate the exact amount of power needed and required by each four wheels.

While exact details on this new quad-motor setup has yet to be revealed, Weber said that this unit can deliver up to 1 mW/1,000 kW or 1,341 HP of total system output. However, the development boss did not specifically mention whether the new M3 EV will have this quad-digit power output.

Both the BMW i4 (left) and the G20-gen 3 Series (right) will be outright replaced by the next-gen, Neue Klasse-based 3 Series model

Before the next-gen BMW M3 EV bows in later this decade, Weber revealed that the next-gen, Neue Klasse-based 3 Series model will be launched first. Based on the Vision Neue Klasse concept, the new 3 Series EV might be the direct replacement for both the i4 and current-gen 3 Series model, with its production slated to commence as early as 2025, BMW says.

"We want to come up with something where we show that Neue Klasse is already very ambitious, but this (performance mode) is doing something far above what people are used to today. This will come not too far away from the initial launch of the Neue Klasse as a product line, and we’ve said we want to have it early and close to the SOP (start of production) of the core model, because people want to have what M can do next also in the battery-electric world,” Weber commented.