What It Is
We expect BMW’s experimentation with high-performance electrified M cars to shift into high gear. Following in the footsteps of the plug-in hybrid BMW XM and M5, the Neue Klasse M EV aims to be the first M-blessed electric car. And what a car it should be.
Why It Matters
M GmbH has dabbled in hybrids and electrified gas models such as the XM SUV and new M5 sedan. This will be the first all-electric M car, a model that will define BMW’s performance division as it moves beyond internal combustion engines.
Platform and Powertrain
Making use of the Neue Klasse’s new platform, the M variant will take full advantage of the sedan’s 800-volt architecture. That means lighter weight inherent in 800-volt systems versus the more typical 400-volt components, and the setup’s ability to both charge and—crucially for a performance car—discharge its battery quicker.
At the receiving end of all those electrons are set to be four BMW-designed electric motors, one for each wheel. Producing a combined 1,341 hp (a convenient 1 megawatt), the quad-motor AWD system allows BMW to precisely tune torque at each wheel. This should ensure sub-three-second 0–60 times, provide instant torque vectoring, and enable Lucid-like tricks to improve high-speed stability and turn-in. We believe a dual-motor Neue Klasse M, with 670 hp and a classic BMW rear-drive setup (yet still with individual rear wheel control), is also under consideration. No matter the powertrain, don’t expect a traditional transmission; each motor will drive its wheel directly.
Visually, we expect the Neue Klasse M to blend the Neue Klasse sedan and SUV concepts’ styling cues with those of the legendary Giugiaro-penned BMW M1. Expect a low-slung, wedgy ’70s throwback design with a fastback roofline and chevron-shaped rear end. Early camouflaged prototypes hint toward a coupe, but the design could accommodate i3-style rear doors in a bid to increase the niche sports car’s appeal.
BMW still has plenty of work to do on the Neue Klasse, so expect the M to be further out still. Early indications suggest the Neue Klasse M will make its debut sometime in 2026 or 2027, depending on how smoothly it progresses. The gestation might be long, but the Neue Klasse M appears worth waiting for.
Estimated Price: $100,000
Estimated On-Sale Date: Late 2026 or 2027
