BMW M Neue Klasse: the ultimate driving machine goes fully electric in 2027

We’re almost there. BMW’s first fully electric M vehicle is just around the corner. Built on the Neue Klasse platform, the revolution will officially begin in 2027.

The M Neue Klasse will feature four electric motors, one per wheel.
The battery will exceed 100 kWh and use an 800-volt architecture.
The electric sports sedan is expected to arrive sometime in 2027.

BMW M is about to cross a historic threshold by taking its first full step into total electrification. Starting in 2027, the high-performance division of the Bavarian brand will usher its motorsport DNA into a new era with the arrival of the BMW M Neue Klasse, an all-electric lineup designed to deliver the “Ultimate Driving Machine” experience without compromise. For the first time, BMW M’s iconic motto — “Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets. Core of a passionate community” — will come to life through a fully electric powertrain.

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“The models of BMW M Neue Klasse are set to establish a new benchmark in the high-performance vehicle segment,” says Franciscus van Meel, Managing Director of BMW M GmbH. “With the new technology of the Neue Klasse’s modular system, we are taking the BMW M driving experience to a new level and will inspire our customers with outstanding, racetrack-ready driving dynamics for everyday use.”

That statement perfectly summarizes BMW M’s ambition: to offer electric vehicles capable of meeting the extreme demands of track driving while remaining perfectly suited for everyday use. A challenge that is far easier to state than to achieve.

A new interpretation of the M DNA

The BMW M Neue Klasse does more than simply adopt an electric drivetrain; it completely redefines what BMW M driving dynamics mean. The objective is clear: preserve the driving pleasure, precision and character that built the reputation of the M division, while fully exploiting the potential of electrification. Once again, the challenge is considerable.

With a long driving range (figures not yet disclosed), ultra-fast charging enabled by an 800-volt architecture, and highly efficient energy recuperation, the BMW M Neue Klasse positions itself as a versatile vehicle capable of excelling both on the racetrack and on public roads. The new architecture, based on centralized and individual control of each driven wheel, opens the door to a new dimension of driving dynamics while enhancing active safety for future BMW M models.

BMW M eDrive: an architecture developed from the ground up

The BMW M Neue Klasse was developed entirely from scratch. At the core of this new generation is the BMW M eDrive system, based on the Neue Klasse Gen6 technology. Its defining feature is significant: each wheel is driven by its own electric motor, resulting in a highly modular and extremely precise all-wheel-drive system.

Across all electric BMW M Neue Klasse models, two electric drive units are installed on the front and rear axles. Each unit houses two motors, one per wheel, for a total of four independent electric motors.

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This architecture combines the advantages of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive while significantly enhancing driving dynamics on both road and track. One notable feature is the ability to fully decouple the front axle. The result is an authentic BMW M rear-wheel-drive experience, with its well-known dynamic characteristics, improved efficiency, and increased driving range, particularly during long highway journeys.

To preserve the emotional connection that defines BMW M, several features have been integrated, including predefined driving modes, simulated gear shifts, and an exclusive soundscape tailored to the Neue Klasse. These solutions aim to maintain a strong emotional bond between driver and machine, even in the absence of a combustion engine.

Control of this configuration is handled by a dedicated software system called “Heart of Joy,” which incorporates BMW M Dynamic Performance Control. This system unlocks new levels of driving dynamics and safety in a high-performance electric vehicle. It enables maximum energy recuperation, optimal traction right up to the limit, and even more direct driver response.

The most powerful electric motors ever used by BMW M

Developed in partnership with Austrian high-performance electric motor specialist Steyr, the BMW M eDrive units are distinguished by exceptional power density. These are simply the most powerful electric motors ever used by BMW M.

Within each drive unit, the motors are arranged in parallel and transmit power through a dedicated gearbox for each wheel. The units also integrate the inverter responsible for controlling the electric motors, as well as the lubrication system. This design allows extremely precise control of torque and power at each wheel.

This level of control enables optimal traction, continuous torque distribution between the electrohydraulic braking system and the electric motors, and maximum brake energy recuperation. The result is a level of performance never before achieved by a production BMW M vehicle.

A high-voltage battery engineered for performance

The high-voltage battery plays a central role in this new generation. With a capacity exceeding 100 kWh, it has been specifically adapted to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles, both on the road and on the track.

BMW M revised the cell chemistry using a performance-focused “design to power” approach, optimized to deliver consistent high output. The cooling system and the energy management unit, known as the Energy Master, were also redesigned to support higher electrical currents.

As a result, the BMW M Neue Klasse battery delivers higher peak output and faster charging capabilities than other Neue Klasse models. It also offers the highest energy recuperation levels within the Gen6 family. Its design therefore differs from that of the upcoming i3 Neue Klasse.

Another key element is structural integration: the battery housing is a load-bearing component of the vehicle, directly connected to the front and rear axles. This increases overall body stiffness, leading to tangible improvements in precision and driving dynamics.

A simplified, future-ready electronic architecture

The gains in driving dynamics are further supported by a new central electronic architecture designed to be simple, scalable and future-proof. It follows a clear system hierarchy without overlapping functions.

As with all Neue Klasse models, four high-performance computers, known as “Superbrains,” centralize computing power for driving dynamics, automated driving, infotainment, and core comfort functions. This structure enables faster data exchange, increased system performance, and quicker, more efficient software updates.

Lightweight construction and sustainable materials: a first for BMW M

Beyond performance, BMW M is also innovating in materials. Lightweight construction has always been a cornerstone of high-performance vehicle development, and the BMW M Neue Klasse marks a historic first: the use of natural fibre elements in a fully electric BMW M model.

Since 2019, BMW M has accumulated extensive experience with these materials in motorsport, particularly in terms of durability, production, and integration. Natural fibres offer properties comparable to carbon fibre while reducing CO₂ emissions by approximately 40 percent during production.

A new era for BMW M

With the BMW M Neue Klasse, BMW’s performance division is not merely adapting to electrification; it is redefining what a high-performance vehicle can be in the electric era. Through cutting-edge technology, a radical four-motor architecture, a track-optimized battery, and sustainable materials, BMW M is laying the foundation for a future where performance, emotion, and environmental responsibility can coexist without compromise.