The current version of the iconic BMW M3 and M4 may be the last to feature a petrol drivetrain as the global market continues its shift towards electric vehicles (EVs).
This is according to Frank van Meel, the head of BMW’s global M Division, who stated in a recent interview that its next-generation sports cars would either be offered with internal combustion engines (ICE) or as EVs, but not both.
Changing with the times
Ultimately, the decision as to whether or not the M3 and M4 will be made electric will come down to whether the new energy powertrains can provide a significant performance improvement over their petrol counterparts, reported Motor1.
“From a technical standpoint, a lot will change, simply because of the transformation into the electric age. We are treading this path courageously and confidently because we know that our values will remain the same,” said Meel.
In a previous interview recorded in 2022, the M Division head confirmed that every model under the M banner would be offered as a battery-electric within the next 10 years, but that the process would move at different speeds, depending on the model.
At the time, he referred to the fact that BMW would soon be releasing its first performance plug-in hybrid vehicle, which was later revealed to be the new BMW XM SUV that went on sale earlier this year.
Speaking about the M3 specifically, he noted that the sedan has gone through several iterations since its introduction in 1980, as it started out with a four-cylinder petrol engine, which was then swapped out with a six-cylinder, an eight-cylinder, and a six-cylinder turbo with each re-imagining.
“After each stage of development, plenty of critics said that the M3 would no longer sell. And every time they were wrong, because the character of the vehicle has always remained the same, even with the new engine concepts,” said Meel.
When asked about the possibility of multiple powertrains for the next-gen models, including petrol, hybrid, and battery-electric setups, Meel was quick to dismiss the idea, stating that it was unrealistic and that the company would likely stick with one power source.
“The logic is quite easy. But of course, we’re trying to make that happen as pure electric,” he said.
For reference, the current M3 and M4 available in South Africa are driven by a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol drivetrain, which generates 375kw and 650Nm and allows for a blistering 0-100km/h time of 3.5 seconds.
Keyword: Goodbye petrol-powered BMW M3