Skip advert
Advertisement

BMW M division to use i electric car tech

Future BMW M cars could use tech developed by the firm's i electrification team to boost performance

BMW i8 and BMW i3 studio

BMW's M division is actively in talks with the firm’s i electrification team about incorporating the technology in performance cars, it has emerged.

The German brand is introducing electrification across more of its range with every new model iteration - and the latest 3 Series is tipped to get an all-electric version at some point during its life cycle. But up to now, the M models have steered clear of technology designed primarily for fuel efficiency.

Advertisement - Article continues below

All the latest from the 2019 Geneva Motor Show

However, speaking to Auto Express at the Geneva Motor Show, Robert Irlinger, the boss of the i division at BMW, said that his team was already working with M to deliver electrification in performance cars.

“You will see electrified vehicles in M division as well,” Irlinger said. “We are in talks with all of the other BMW Group brands and sub-brands - Rolls-Royce, MINI and yes, M division - and you will see electrification coming across onto their products. It will be at differing levels, of course, but it will happen. We are working with them, right now. 

He added: “There are some real advantages from incorporating electric power into performance vehicles. You have immediate torque delivery which can give you acceleration while a combustion engine is still thinking about it. These advantages we will spread to the whole brands, in a specific way.”

Would you look to see hot BMW i M models? Let us know your thoughts below...

Skip advert
Advertisement
Editor-at-large

John started journalism reporting on motorsport – specifically rallying, which he had followed avidly since he was a boy. After a stint as editor of weekly motorsport bible Autosport, he moved across to testing road cars. He’s now been reviewing cars and writing news stories about them for almost 20 years.

Find a car with the experts

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

New BMW HypersonX tech to make EVs sound like ‘the pleasure of driving’
BMW Vision Neue Klasse X concept - front

New BMW HypersonX tech to make EVs sound like ‘the pleasure of driving’

Neue Klasse cars will be able to tailor sounds based on the driving situation, starting with the new iX3
News
17 Apr 2025
What is BMW M? Past, present and future of the Bavarian powerhouse
Auto Express consumer reporter Tom Jervis sitting in a BMW M1

What is BMW M? Past, present and future of the Bavarian powerhouse

For more than 50 years, BMW’s M division has been thrilling drivers. We look at its amazing past – and preview an exciting future
Features
12 Apr 2025
Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond
Best new cars coming soon - header image

Best new cars coming soon: all the big new car launches due in 2025, 2026 and beyond

These are the most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
8 Apr 2025
Electric BMW M3 takes to the Nurburgring for the first time
BMW M3 EV - testing at the Nurburgring, front cornering

Electric BMW M3 takes to the Nurburgring for the first time

Plug-in version will probably be the most powerful M3 ever
News
27 Mar 2025

Most Popular

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range
Leapmotor badge

Leapmotor B05 family hatch on route to the UK with sub-£30k price and 400-mile range

The Stellantis-backed brand will launch a Volkswagen ID.3-rivalling small car with almost 20 per cent more range
News
23 Apr 2025
New Renault Clio prepares for launch: And it's not an EV
Renault Clio Mk6 (camouflaged) - front 3/4 tracking

New Renault Clio prepares for launch: And it's not an EV

The Clio isn’t going anywhere despite the reemergence of the Renault 5
News
22 Apr 2025
New Subaru Outback is “simply unsellable in Europe” for one very simple reason…
Subaru Outback front 2025

New Subaru Outback is “simply unsellable in Europe” for one very simple reason…

Subaru has confirmed that the new seventh-generation Outback will not be coming to the UK, or anywhere in Europe for that matter
News
23 Apr 2025