BMW’s Neue Klasse M models to feature four e-motors
All fully electric models of the BMW M Neue Klasse will use two electric drive units on the front and rear axles, with one electric motor per wheel, to deliver ‘driving performance expected from BMW M’, BMW said. Each of the four electric motors powers an individual wheel. However, these are internally mounted motors, not wheel-hub drives.
The concept of one motor per wheel is no surprise, as BMW had already unveiled the high-performance test vehicle ‘Vision Driving Experience’ in February 2025, which featured such a drivetrain. At the time, the concept car was used to test the control units, such as the new central drive computer ‘Heart of Joy.’ While this system was designed to manage the complex operation of four drive units, it did not necessarily mean that later production models would also feature four electric motors per vehicle. BMW has only now confirmed this.
The four-motor drivetrain is designed to combine ‘all the advantages of rear-wheel and all-wheel drive,’ while simultaneously enhancing driving dynamics. The front axle can also be completely decoupled, allowing the vehicles to adopt a rear-wheel-drive setup focused on driving dynamics, while also improving efficiency, for example, on the motorway. As the ‘Heart of Joy’ computer can control each drive unit individually, torque and power can be adjusted per wheel in milliseconds. This enables optimal traction, as torque can be continuously distributed as needed. Additionally, brake energy recuperation is possible ‘right up to the limit,’ according to BMW. That is because each wheel can be controlled individually during recuperation to achieve the optimal deceleration from energy recovery, in close coordination with the braking system.
“The newly developed architecture with centrally controlled individual wheel drive opens up a new dimension of driving dynamics and further increases the driving safety of all BMW M next-generation vehicles,” the German manufacturer said. This summarises the range of requirements well: on the one hand, the electric drivetrains must deliver brand-typical driving dynamics, impressing on both the road and the racetrack, while simultaneously serving as a ‘versatile everyday companion.’ It must not be merely a sharp sports car but must also perform flawlessly in daily commutes or trips to the supermarket.
To achieve this, the software of the ‘Heart of Joy’ central unit has been equipped with M-specific control software, compared to standard BMWs like the iX3 50 xDrive. BMW M expects this to unlock ‘completely new potentials in driving dynamics and safety for high-performance vehicles.’ Additionally, the system enables maximum recuperation and optimal traction to the limit, as well as more immediate throttle response.
BMW also adapted the battery for the electric M models. It is not carried over one-to-one from the series models, such as the iX3 50 xDrive, the first model of the Neue Klasse, which features a 108 kWh battery with cylindrical cells and an 800-volt system voltage. BMW has not yet provided detailed information about the M batteries, but the 800-volt system and cylindrical cells remain unchanged. “The high-voltage battery, boasting over 100 kWh of usable energy as the powerhouse for the BMW M eDrive system, has also been specifically adapted to meet the demands of high-performance vehicles,” BMW stated. “The focus remains on compatibility with both road and racetrack use.”
The new battery control unit, dubbed ‘Energy Master’ by the Munich-based team, has been optimised for higher performance, along with the cooling system. “With BMW M specific solutions, the Gen6 high-voltage battery in the fully electric high-performance models delivers even greater peak and charging performance. Additionally, within the Gen6 technology, the Neue Klasse models offer the highest recuperation values,” BMW announced. However, the company has not yet provided specific figures.
The battery housing for the M models is also adapted and differs from that of the standard BMWs. Here, the housing serves as a structural component in the vehicle and is firmly connected to the front and rear axles. “The higher resulting stiffness in the overall vehicle also leads to improved driving dynamics,” the carmaker concluded.
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