BMW Might Make Gas And Electric M3s At The Same Time
A new report says that reduced regulatory pressure has allowed the German automaker to pursue two very different drivetrains.
BMW is in the process of electrifying its entire lineup. It’s safe to assume, then, that the M3, its flagship sports sedan, will lose its internal combustion engine in the near future. Indeed, that seems to have been the plan not long ago, however now a report from BMW Blog indicates some changes behind the scenes. A new ICE M3 is reportedly on the way, and it will exist alongside an electric model.
There’s a lot of interesting details in BMW Blog’s report. It claims the electric and ICE M3 will reportedly not share a platform, for instance. The report also says the M4 coupe will also allegedly be electric only. In other words, the sedan may be the only option for those who want straight-six power.
The plan, says BMW Blog, is to use the current 3.0-liter S58 engine for the next car, as it will still be emissions-compliant. This means power output in the neighborhood of 500 horsepower or more, but it’s very unlikely the new car will have a manual transmission. BMW M’s brass seems eager to get rid of pesky clutch pedals as soon as they can.