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.

Skip advert
Advertisement

Recommended

Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024
BMW 530e - front cornering

Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024

Did you receive a letter alerting you to a potentially dangerous car fault? Here are the car brands that sent the most out
News
17 Jan 2025
New BMW Panoramic iDrive revealed: latest iteration of the tech that changed motoring
BMW Panoramic iDrive 1

New BMW Panoramic iDrive revealed: latest iteration of the tech that changed motoring

BMW’s radical new interior design focuses on the principle of ‘eyes on the road, hands on the wheel’ driving, and features a pillar-to-pillar instrume…
Features
7 Jan 2025
Rotary BMW iDrive controller is officially dead: all hail the touchscreen!
BMW Panoramic iDrive

Rotary BMW iDrive controller is officially dead: all hail the touchscreen!

None of BMW’s next-generation ‘Neue Klasse’ models will feature the familiar rotary controller
News
7 Jan 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 biggest and most important new cars headed our way, from brands including Audi, BMW, Dacia, Ferrari, Ford, Skoda and more
Best cars & vans
1 Jan 2025

Most Popular

Toyota Land Cruiser review
Toyota Land Cruiser - main image

Toyota Land Cruiser review

The latest Toyota Land Cruiser is more sophisticated, stylish, and tech-laden, but gives up none of its predecessor’s capability
In-depth reviews
20 Jan 2025
EV discounts: are they a short-term solution with long-term problems?
Vauxhall Corsa Electric front corner driving

EV discounts: are they a short-term solution with long-term problems?

Optimistic residual value projections for EVs have left vehicle leasing firms “millions and millions” out of pocket
News
18 Jan 2025
Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024
BMW 530e - front cornering

Car brands with the most recalls: BMW tops the UK recall chart in 2024

Did you receive a letter alerting you to a potentially dangerous car fault? Here are the car brands that sent the most out
News
17 Jan 2025