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BMW has hinted at the release date of its all-new BMW M3 EV, with the possibility of it landing in Australia in the next 18 months.
Electric Cars
BMW customers could have the choice between a 1000kW electric M3 and an internal combustion engine version within the next 18 months.
In a recent round table with BMW M CEO, Frank van Meel, the German brand hinted at a release date for the new electric model while speaking about whether the new model will have the same driving feel as an internal combustion model.
“[I’ll be] glad to have this discussion probably in one and a half years once you have driven the all-electric ones,” said van Meel.
The car, which is currently in the developmental stage, has been well documented on the official BMW YouTube. Although information about the car is scarce, it has been confirmed that it will be powered by four electric motors, one for each wheel, capable of over 1000kW.
Despite being dressed in camo, it appears to be a similar shape to the current generation G80, although an all-new generation would fall in line with past decisions to update the nameplate every six or seven years and the G80 celebrating its sixth birthday this year.
Frank van Meel further hinted at other technology, such as emulated gear shifts and sounds, similar to the Hyundai Ioniq 5N.
“I think it's an open secret that we are working with four electric independent motors on the car and one central control unit that we programme ourselves. Also, we just released [a YouTube] episode that we are going to have something like emulated gear shifts and sound coming from our classic engine sounds just to enhance the electric feeling.”
Van Meel explained that the use of engine sounds and simulated gearshifts is to give the driver a more ‘connected’ feeling to the car.
“If you have no sound, it's really difficult to drive a car. In order to be connected to the car on the road, you need to know how quickly you are without having to look down at your speedometer. So you need to have an acoustic feedback, and you need some kind of gears or ratios if you drive in one gear from zero to 300, and you have no acoustic feedback, that might be a little bit complicated to judge how quick you [are going].”
Further information on the car will be available closer to its launch, which is shaping up to be Q2 or Q3 of 2027.
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Zane Dobie comes from a background of motorcycle journalism, working for notable titles such as Australian Motorcycle News Magazine, Just Bikes and BikeReview. Despite his fresh age, Zane brings a lifetime of racing and hands-on experience. His passion now resides on four wheels as an avid car collector, restorer, drift car pilot and weekend go-kart racer.
