Bmw M plans 30 new models in 30 months. There is still hope for sports cars

Bmw and its high-performance division, M, is preparing to launch 30 new and restyled models on the market in the next two and a half years.

Starting with the iX3, the first model in the New Klasse family which, after its market launch in March, will be offered in an M version that will also be joined by M-Performance variants. A year later, in 2027, it will be the turn of the battery-powered M3, which in addition to the four electric motors will offer a control unit capable of controlling a different torque distribution to offer a new dimension of driving dynamics. The new electric M3 will, however, be joined by combustion engines until the end of the decade.

Bmw XM

If in 2028 and 2029 the M3 will always offer a dual electric and combustion variant, the M4 Coupé will be offered battery-powered only. To which will be added possible CS variants equipped with the straight-six. This will be at the expense of manual gearboxes, as automatics are faster and more efficient, even though 40 per cent of M users prefer them. The most novel project that will be part of the 30 new models on the way will be that of BMW's first hardcore off-roader. The conditional is a must because there is still no certainty. According to rumours, the new model is intended to replace the XM whose production will continue until at least the end of 2028.

Bmw motori M

If the project gets the go-ahead, Bmw will have a model to compete with the Mercedes G-Class and Land Rover Defender from 2029 onwards, with production also planned at the Spartanburg plant in the US. Unlike Bmw's X models, however, the off-roader will offer genuine off-road capabilities, while maintaining the quality and comfort of the rest of the range. Technically, moreover, under the bonnet of the future off-roader there could at first only be combustion powertrains such as the classic straight-six or perhaps even V8 combined with hybrid technology. Only later will it be time for electrics as well.

Fabbrica di Spartanburg

It should be pointed out that while Mercedes and Land Rover are also hypothesising electric variants, Bmw's off-road will initially be limited to combustion engines in order to give a signal above all to mechanically inclined buyers. If the project goes ahead, BMW would not be the only brand to adopt this kind of strategy. Audi, in fact, has in the past presented an off-road concept, the Activesphere, and Genesis is experimenting with similar variants. None of these brands, however, has confirmed production. However, there does seem to be a growing interest in high-end off-road vehicles. An opportunity that Bmw intends to fulfil.