06:10 23-02-2026

BMW M's split strategy: gas and electric models to coexist

BMW M boss Frank van Meel has confirmed that the division will not force customers to switch to electric power and will continue producing gasoline models as long as demand persists. The company plans to follow actual sales trends: if the market shifts en masse to electric vehicles, the M lineup will follow suit. However, if enthusiasts keep choosing internal combustion engines, that direction will be maintained.

The big news is the development of a fully electric BMW M3, which will break from its classic concept for the first time in 40 years. The model will feature four electric motors with up to 1,000 kW of power and is set to debut in about 18 months. Van Meel hinted that journalists will be able to test a production version by then. The electric M3 will be part of BMW M's new "split strategy," where the two technologies coexist in parallel.

At the same time, Munich isn't ready to bury the internal combustion engine: a new gasoline-powered M3 is already in development, though it will launch later—around 2028, after the 3 Series undergoes a generational change. Management believes that offering a wide choice is the best response to diverse customer demands, especially during this transitional period.

Van Meel noted that the success of electric M models hinges on having the right technologies available. BMW is confident that its current developments provide the technical foundation the market has been waiting for in a high-performance EV.

Details about the new electric M3 will be revealed within the next year.