BMW says 2027 electric M3 will keep historic M3 badge

BMW’s high‑performance M division confirmed that the forthcoming battery‑electric version of the M3 will be badged simply “M3” rather than an “iM3” designation. The announcement was made by M division chief Frank van Meel at the Goodwood Festival of Speed and aligns with BMW’s plan to launch the electric model around 2027 alongside a conventional‑combustion M3.

The electric M3 will sit on the new “Neue Klasse” platform and use a quad‑motor drivetrain, one motor per wheel, with a battery pack of more than 100 kWh. Power output is expected to be in the range of 650 hp to potentially over 1 000 hp, while engineers stress that the focus is on preserving the precise handling and driving feel associated with the M3 name. Weight management, torque‑vectoring and software‑controlled power distribution will be used to keep the car agile despite its high performance.

BMW also indicated that the internal‑combustion M3 will continue in production, featuring a turbo‑charged inline‑six with mild hybrid assistance. Both models will share the same exterior design language, reinforcing the brand’s intention to treat the electric version as a true successor rather than a separate sub‑brand.