BMW celebrates one million M cars as petrol and EV M3s prepare to coexist

BMW has built its one-millionth M car, with the milestone coming as the German automaker prepares to bring its high-performance division into the electric era with the first fully electric BMW M3.

The milestone vehicle is an M3 finished in BMW Individual Fire Orange III paintwork, built at BMW Group Plant Munich and presented at an official ceremony earlier this month.

The achievement comes more than 50 years after BMW M was established, and 40 years after the original M3 went on sale.

Munich will also become the exclusive production site for the first fully electric M3, which will use BMW's next-generation Neue Klasse technology.

BMW has confirmed the upcoming electric performance sedan will be built alongside the company's broader shift towards electric vehicles (EVs), with Plant Munich set to produce only fully electric models from 2027.

“The one-millionth BMW M vehicle shows that these values are still very much appreciated by our customers, 40 years after the market launch of the first BMW M3,” said Franciscus van Meel, CEO of BMW M.

“This motivates us to continuously develop our BMW M high-performance vehicle portfolio based on BMW M Neue Klasse technology, including fully electric models, in line with our core brand promise.”

The Munich factory has produced the current-generation M3 since 2020, and BMW says the model has a special significance for employees at the site.

The company is investing around €650 million (A$1.05 billion) to transform the factory into an electric-only production facility, including a new body shop and vehicle assembly facilities built across about a third of the site.

BMW says the changes are designed to improve production efficiency through modern manufacturing processes, digitalisation, and closer cooperation with development teams and suppliers.

The electric M3 will be the second Neue Klasse model built in Munich, following the upcoming BMW i3 electric sedan.

BMW has already provided a preview of its electric M-car future with the M Concept Neue Klasse, unveiled in June 2026 ahead of the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

While BMW has yet to confirm the production car's full specifications, the concept showcases a quad-motor electric drivetrain, with one motor driving each wheel.

The system is paired with BMW M Dynamic Performance Control software, integrated into the company's Heart of Joy vehicle control computer. BMW says this setup allows independent control of power delivery and braking at each wheel, enabling more precise torque vectoring and improved traction.

The concept also features an 800-volt electrical architecture and a battery with more than 100kWh of usable energy.

Overseas reports have suggested the production electric M3 could deliver around 750kW, although BMW hasn't confirmed an output figure.

The electric M3 is expected to arrive alongside a new petrol-powered version, with BMW previously indicating the two models will be positioned at similar price points.

BMW has yet to confirm the production electric M3's full specifications or exact launch timing.

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