BMW says M3 petrol and electric models will co-exist 'as long as regulation allows'

BMW’s M Division will sell its first battery-electric M3 alongside a internal combustion engine-powered “brother”, as it looks to offer multiple powertrain options across its performance lineup as long as it can.

Speaking with media at the Australian launch of the new M5 sedan, BMW M’s vice president for customer, brand and sales, Sylvia Neubauer, confirmed a combustion-powered M3 will be offered “in parallel” with the all-electric iM3 due in 2028.

“We offer all-electric M Performance models in most segments that deliver the genuine M feeling without any local emissions. But, we also believe that there will be room for other driver technologies, such as hybrid or conventional drives,” Ms Neubauer said.

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“You can trust us, we are prepared for the future. I can also reassure you the all-electric M3 that I just mentioned, will have a brother with a combustion engine.

“They will exist in parallel. So no matter what the customer demand is, we will be able to cater for all needs in any market, as long as regulation allows.”

Recently teased as a camouflaged prototype, the new BMW iM3 is expected to be powered by a quad-motor electric powertrain, reportedly generating up to 746kW.

The iM3, like the upcoming i3 electric sedan on which it’ll be based, will ride on BMW’s next-generation Neue Klasse dedicated electric vehicle platform, and feature the marque’s new integrated dynamics control system dubbed the ‘Heart of Joy’.

BMW will offer a combustion-powered 3 Series for the foreseeable future, with a new G50-series 3er expected in the latter stages of 2026. A petrol-powered M3 will follow, likely in 2028 or around the same time as its iM3 sibling.

It appears BMW M is working overtime to preserve the engaging and dynamic drive experience it’s famous for in these new all-electric halo cars, too.

The performance division recently put out a new video on its YouTube channel potentially previewing new powertrain sounds which mimic combustions engines – similar to what Hyundai N has done with the Ioniq 5 N.

It’s unclear whether these sounds will include fake ‘shifts’ to give the sensation of using a conventional transmission, though this all appears to be a development of the BMW IconicSounds powertrain noises offered in its plug-in hybrid and all-electric models.

Watch the above clip for more. You can hear the prototype’s powertrain sounds at the very end of the video.

The BMW M3 will likely be the next of BMW’s performance icons to make the jump into electrification, following the seventh-generation M5 which utilises the brand’s new M Hybrid plug-in hybrid technologies.

However, the XM SUV was the first M product to feature a plug-in hybrid system.

Further, the iM3 will be joined by a dedicated M model based on the Neue Klasse architecture. Like how the M5 utilises the XM’s V8 PHEV drivetrain, the Neue Klasse M car is expected to feature a version of the iM3’s quad-motor electric drive system, and should debut the aforementioned ‘Heart of Joy’ drive unit.

Currently, the M3 is available in sedan and Touring (wagon) forms, offering manual and automatic transmissions as well as the option of rear- or all-wheel drive. There’s also the lightweight CS track-focused version of the M3, and then the entire M4 family which is effectively a two-door take on the same formula.

It’s unclear whether the new i3 will offer both Sedan and Touring versions like the larger 5 Series and i5. Overseas reports have also indicated the 4 Series and M4 coupe and convertible models will go EV-only for their next generation.

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