5 Minutes
BMW won’t rule out an electric sports car — but it’s not promising one yet
BMW’s M division is flirting with the idea of a pure electric sports car, yet Munich remains cautious. While performance EVs are central to the brand’s future, BMW is taking a measured approach: the M3 EV is not expected until around 2028, and the company hasn’t committed to producing a stand‑alone electric sports car born from the Neue Klasse platform. That ambiguity comes down to market realities, development costs and the way BMW is scaling its next generation of electric architecture.
What’s changing under the skin: the ‘Heart of Joy’ and the Neue Klasse
BMW has been teasing a set of four advanced computing units it calls "superbrains," one of which is marketed as the “Heart of Joy.” Introduced with upcoming Neue Klasse models — starting with a new iX3 crossover — these modules combine software and hardware to sharpen dynamics, stability and chassis control.
Joachim Post, BMW’s Chief Technical Officer, summarized it this way: with roughly 20 times the computing power available in these systems, the combination of electric powertrain controls and fast processors can unlock dynamic capabilities that current EVs don’t deliver. In plain terms: faster computing means quicker torque vectoring, more precise chassis interventions and finer integration between battery management and vehicle dynamics.
Highlights:
- Neue Klasse introduces modular electronics and standardized components.
- "Heart of Joy" is a marketing name for a high-speed control unit aimed at driving dynamics.
- First application: new iX3 crossover, with more models to follow.
Could BMW build a bespoke electric sports car?
Technically, yes. Post has indicated in media briefings that the Neue Klasse’s modular architecture makes it feasible to engineer a dedicated performance car rather than simply adapting an M variant of a family model. The key is scalability: electronic control units, battery cells and other components can be packaged differently to create unique body styles or dedicated platforms while still leveraging shared parts to keep costs sane.
But feasibility doesn’t equal priority. BMW has poured more than €10 billion into Neue Klasse and needs to recover that investment through high-volume, profitable models — SUVs and premium sedans remain the main focus. Low-volume halo cars are attractive from a brand perspective but are much harder to justify economically.
Lessons from the past
BMW has a spotty history with one-off exotics. The mid‑engine M1 suffered production headaches decades ago when Lamborghini pulled out of the build plan. More recently, the M Vision Next — a plug‑in hybrid concept that came close to production in the early 2020s — was shelved as development costs skyrocketed and the COVID‑19 crisis disrupted budgets.
Other attempts at niche models didn’t translate into strong sales: the i8 sold just over 20,000 units in six years, and the Z4 has struggled, reportedly facing retirement without a direct successor. Yet BMW can still command premium prices for exclusive models; the Skytop and Speedtop specials, essentially bespoke M8 derivatives, reportedly fetched eye‑watering sums.
Market positioning and the road ahead
For BMW, the calculus is clear: balance brand halo projects with mass-market EVs that recoup investment. A dedicated Neue Klasse sports car would be a headline-maker — a crown jewel — but not at the expense of the broader business case. Executives appear open to the concept but are waiting for the right market signals: strong demand for electrified performance, acceptable development costs and proof that customers will pay premium prices for an EV halo model.
Quote: "Electronic control units, for example, a battery cell — all the things are the same, but integrated into a different package," said Post. "Neue Klasse gives you the possibility to make scaling combinations to make that feasible from a business case perspective."
Whether BMW eventually builds an electric-only M supercar or performance GT remains uncertain. For enthusiasts, the promise is tantalizing: true BMW driving dynamics married to high-performance electric architecture and next‑generation software. For investors, the priority is volume and return.
If the market begins to reward high‑end electric performance the way it once rewarded exotic V‑8 targas and shooting brakes, BMW could greenlight more special projects. Until then, Munich’s stance is pragmatic: possible, but not yet a commitment.
Source: motor1
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