2027 M3 EV to launch with at least 850 hp and no manual transmission.
BMW M exploring new sensory feedback systems to enhance driver connection in EVs.
Manual gearboxes to remain in ICE M cars, but may phase out with hybridization.
BMW M’s upcoming electric M3 will not include a manual transmission, the brand’s CEO Frank van Meel confirmed at the 2025 Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este. The decision signals a technical shift for the performance division as it transitions to electrification.
While the manual gearbox remains part of the current M lineup, particularly in models like the M2, where more than 50 % of U.S. buyers opt for three pedals, BMW M does not plan to integrate it into future electric vehicles. Van Meel stated that manual transmissions add complexity and do not improve performance or efficiency in EVs.
To preserve driver engagement without gear shifts or engine sounds, BMW is exploring alternative sensory feedback. These include artificial acoustic responses, haptic signals, and real-time visual cues. A development prototype of the M3 EV has already demonstrated synthetic internal combustion engine sounds inside the cabin. In short, NOTHING that will ever replace the direct involvement provided by a manual transmission.
The electric M3, internally referred to as ZA0, will launch in 2027 on BMW’s Neue Klasse platform. The latter allows configurations of up to four motors, which explains why it is expected to deliver 850 horsepower. The car will likely feature an excited synchronous motor (EESM) at the rear axle for precise power delivery and an asynchronous motor (ASM) at the front to reduce drag and improve efficiency.
BMW M will continue offering manual transmissions in current ICE models for now. However, sources indicate that the next-generation ICE M3, codenamed G84, may abandon the manual option if it adopts a mild-hybrid setup.
Source: BMW Blog
