The long-mooted electric BMW M3, arriving in 2027, will use "crazy" chassis control software in an attempt to offer dynamic performance "far above" that of today's hot BMWs.
The electric M3 will be based on the firm's Neue Klasse (NK) platform and will arrive shortly after the next-generation, electric BMW 3 Series - as previewed by a radical concept at the Munich motor show earlier this month.
BMW development boss Frank Weber has given some early details of the model. "The next M3 will be battery-electric - full battery-electric," he said, but "there will be a coexistence" with the current petrol M3 for a period, "which is necessary". The S58 six-cylinder engine used by today's M3 is set to remain in production beyond 2030.
Giving clues as to what to expect from an electric M3, Weber said BMW's new "Heart of Joy' control unit, which will be used in all NK-based cars, will be instrumental in providing a distinct driving character for BMW performance EVs and helping to mitigate any loss of character from the absence of a powerful petrol engine.
"This is a controller that has taken the last 20 or 30 years of our experience into a control unit. Everything that is driving performance-related, chassis control-related, propulsion-[and] powertrain-related is now in one integrated control unit," he said. "It's almost the history of how you control a vehicle that is in that thing.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The venomous nature of the Cobra
Last week, Matt Prior drove a totally new kind of AC Cobra. This is a car with one of the strongest allures of all - but also an incredibly complex and controversial history.
SKODA KAMIQ
A long getting-to-know-you trip to Spain reveals all
THE SEVEN-YEAR TITCH
Outgoing baby Jag is plush, practical and now eminently affordable
'Our time has come'
Honda may be late to the EV party, but a barrage of bold new battery-powered cars is on the way. JAMES ATTWOOD speaks to boss Toshihiro Mibe at its R&D base to find out what's in store
Lion kings
Plush, powerful four-door cars are an endangered species - and now Peugeot has called time on its latest, the 508 PSE. STEPHEN DOBIE compares it with its most significant ancestor, the 505 GTI
VOLKSWAGEN GOLF
Wolfsburg gives the lesser-known Golf PHEV a big-impact refresh
PORSCHE PANAMERA GTS
Stuttgart's latest 'bahnstormer targets driver appeal over outright punch
MERCEDES-AMG GT 63 PRO
Hardcore variant of V8 sports car engineered with track days in mind
TESLA REVEALS ROBOTAXI
Firm unveils Cybercab coupé and 20-seat Robovan in autonomy push
DACIA PLOTS AMBITIOUS EXPANDED EURO LINE-UP
Firm teases something different’ ahead of impending C-segment reveal
