BMW has released initial technical details of its upcoming electric M models based on the Neue Klasse platform, confirming that all fully electric BMW M Neue Klasse vehicles launched from 2027 will use a four-motor drivetrain, with one electric motor powering each wheel.
At the core of the new architecture is the BMW M eDrive system, which features two electric drive units on the front axle and two on the rear axle. Each motor is mounted internally and independently drives a single wheel, allowing precise control of torque and power distribution, BMW said.
See also: BMW India Plans Three New EV Launches as It Scales Line-Up and Retail Network
The four-motor concept builds on the high-performance ‘Vision Driving Experience’ test vehicle unveiled in February 2025, which BMW used to validate its next-generation control electronics. While that prototype demonstrated the feasibility of individual wheel drive, BMW has now confirmed that the configuration will be carried over into series production M models.
BMW said the system is designed to combine the characteristics of rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive, while improving efficiency and driving dynamics. The front axle can be fully decoupled, enabling a rear-wheel-drive mode focused on performance or efficiency, such as during steady motorway driving.
See also: BMW Reports 3.6% Increase in Global EV Sales in 2025
Central to the system is BMW’s new drive control computer, known as the ‘Heart of Joy.’ The unit manages each motor independently and can adjust torque at individual wheels within milliseconds. This allows continuous optimisation of traction, stability and cornering behaviour. The same wheel-by-wheel control also applies to brake energy recuperation, enabling energy recovery “right up to the limit,” BMW said, in close coordination with the mechanical 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 company said in a statement.
See also: BMW Unveils AI-Powered Alexa+ in 2026 iX3 as Neue Klasse EV Debuts
The control software of the Heart of Joy has been equipped with M-specific algorithms compared with standard Neue Klasse models, such as the upcoming iX3 50 xDrive. BMW M said this enables sharper throttle response, higher recuperation capability and improved vehicle stability under extreme driving conditions, while still meeting everyday usability requirements.
BMW has also adapted the high-voltage battery system for M applications. While the electric M models retain the Neue Klasse’s 800-volt architecture and cylindrical battery cells, the battery has been specifically tuned for high-performance use. BMW said the pack offers more than 100 kWh of usable energy and has been optimised for higher peak output, charging performance and thermal stability.
See also: BMW Begins Trial Production of Neue Klasse EVs at Shenyang Plant
The battery management system, referred to internally as the ‘Energy Master,’ has been upgraded alongside the cooling system to meet the demands of sustained high-load driving. BMW added that Neue Klasse models will deliver the highest recuperation levels within the company’s sixth-generation battery technology, although specific performance figures were not disclosed.
The battery housing itself has also been redesigned for BMW M models. Unlike standard versions, it functions as a structural component integrated with the front and rear axles. According to BMW, the resulting increase in body stiffness contributes directly to improved handling and driving precision.
See also: BMW Completes Final Tests at Munich Plant Ahead of Neue Klasse EV Production
BMW said further technical specifications will be released closer to the market launch of the electric M Neue Klasse models.