Source: BMWSource: BMWBMW is an endless topic of controversy in the automotive space these days. Between the brand's questionable styling decisions and proclivity for adding huge amounts of weight and complexity to storied models, there's a lot to talk about when it comes to the German automaker.One new bit of news is going to appease fans though, and that's word that the upcoming Neue Klasse M3 is going to be a pure M car. Sounds good on paper, at least.Source: BMWSource: BMWAdvertisementAdvertisementBMW's inline six-cylinder engines are iconic in the car world, and for good reason. From the sound to the power, a rear-drive BMW with a straight-six is legendary. As is the purity of the experience; though the M5 has been weighted down by extra cylinders, hybridization, and the associated batteries, the M3 is still a driver's car first and foremost.Or at least that's what BMW is saying, drawing a hard line in the sand when it comes to what defines a true M3. There was a lot of speculation that the Neue Klasse M3 would be a hybrid, but BMW says those rumors are false. Instead, it will get the S58 engine that's already been approved for Euro use. Don't just take our word for it, here is the news straight from BMW CEO Frank Van Meel:"Our motorsport-derived-tech M Ignite Euro 7 S58 comes out this year [with the current-gen M3 and M4 first], so I can say that it will survive to go into our future M cars [...] It won't be hybrid, as we're sticking with the perfect combustion principle. Here [with the Neue Klasse M3] we will go to the extremes, not the in-between."Good news, this is.Source: BMWSource: BMWAdvertisementAdvertisementThis isn't to say there won't be an electric or hybrid M3; rather, such will be a standalone model, not replacing the internal combustion engine-powered M3 but instead its own thing.As per Van Meel,"With the electric M3 we move to the next level of vehicle dynamics [...] The technology provided to us by Neue Klasse means we can have the range, power and torque split to create something quite extreme. We actually started development with the vehicle dynamics as our main target, so the EV won't just be the quicker car in a straight line, it'll be faster around a track too."Getting there involves building a rear-wheel-drive biased car with the ability to power the front tires via motors that are only on when needed. This should help retain actual M dynamics, plus allow the ability to provide regenerative braking for added range. Speaking of which, BMW says the electric M3 will have a 100kWh-plus battery, and a driving range of around 310 miles even in spite of its alleged 5,000-plus curb weight. Horsepower is said to be around 700. Good stuff, albeit not that exciting for many of us gearheads.Source: BMWSource: BMWAdvertisementAdvertisementHere's a splash of good news though: Supposedly the electric M3 will also get simulated gear changes, a bit of tech stolen from Hyundai and Porsche. This should make driving the E-M3 more involving if nothing else. They're also going to create a sound designed specifically for this car, so it should be its own experience entirely.Don't forget, though, that the Neue Klasse M3 will have some kind of mild hybrid to go along with its gas engine, but that's beside the point. It will still be a predominantly gas-forward experience, and there will even be a wagon Touring version in the future, too.Better yet, BMW is saying a manual transmission is still on the table for the gas-engined M3. They say thanks to the gas engine powertrain, three pedals are still possible, and that the demand is there for such to be a reality.And even better? BMW M Head of Design Oliver Heilmer is spending his quiet hours sketching a new M1. Things could certainly get exciting over at BMW very quickly.