The BMW M3 is coming off a mid-cycle refresh that it underwent earlier this year. As a result, BMW is playing it safe with the current generation model. However, that’s not the case with the next-generation model which is primed to bring a number of key changes to the M3 nameplate. The straight six will stick around but while it will be electrified, it will come with a twist.
M3 will be electrified but without the traditional all-electric range.
While it’s a given that the M3 will have some form of hybrid setup to help BMW comply with tightening emissions laws, the twist here is in the way that BMW will be approaching hybrid technology with a new report from Carsccops saying that the Me will not have the M5’s hybrid setup and will instead be a mild-hybrid offering. This means that while the car will be lighter than a traditional PHEV, it will not have any electric driving range at all.
Seemingly confirming this is BMW’s Head of Development at BMW M Dirk Häcker who told the publication that the next M3 will feature a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, saying that there was no value in adding the weight of a PHEV unless it provided usable electric range, and there’s no need to create a car with usable electric range since there will be an electric M3 sold alongside this variant. The big play here is in decreasing weight with the mild-hybrid setup being lighter due to having fewer bulky components. This helps improve handling while also lowering the price at the same time.
EV will appear first
While the hybrid-equipped M3 will help the German automaker lure in a wider dragnet of buyers, the model will not be arriving first. Instead, separate reports say that the all-electric version will be arriving first. The all-electric M3 is rumored to be a quad motor setup and would be an extreme application of the “Neue Klasse” vehicle platform. The EV would also be a halo model for the new EV lineup but it won’t appear until the arrival of the new 3-Series which is slated to appear at the end of the decade. Â
Regardless of which order the new 3-Series will follow in regards to its respective models, buyers will still have to wait awhile to buy one of these models. The current generation model still has a large amount of shelf life left and it’s expected to hold the fort for the company as it prepares to expand its presence in the electrified vehicle market.Â
Carl Malek has been an automotive journalist for over 10 years. First starting out as a freelance photographer before making the transition to writing during college, his work has appeared on numerous automotive forums as well as websites such as Autoshopper.com.
Carl is also a big fan of British vehicles with the bulk of his devotion going to the Morgan Motor Company as well as offerings from Lotus, MG, and Caterham. When he is not writing about automobiles, Carl enjoys spending time with his family and friends in the Metro Detroit area, as well as spending time with his adorable pets.