BMW M Will Sell More EVs Than Combustion Cars By 2027

BMW M plans to sell more hybrid and pure electric cars than ICE vehicles by 2027 as the automaker's performance division looks to accelerate its efforts in the ever-growing segment.

This is according to BimmerToday, a German publication that spoke to BMW M boss Frank van Meel at the sidelines of an M2 and XM presentation. In 2023, the M division expects electrified vehicles to make up less than 20% of total sales. However, this is expected to grow in the coming years, and by 2027, the automaker anticipates the M sales of combustion-engined vehicles to fall to less than 50%. As electrification takes over, many buyers will simply want the quickest car, and the instant responses afforded by electric propulsion shame combustion cars.

BMW's M range has grown to accommodate electrified vehicles in recent years, with the XM and upcoming M5 employing hybrid power and the i4 M50 and iX M60 introducing fully-electric motivation to the self-proclaimed Most Powerful Letter in the World.

And it's not stopping there. This year, there are plans to introduce a high-performance variant of the i7, called the M70. The new 5 Series, due in 2023, will spawn an electric twin. The i5 will also be offered as an M50 sports sedan.

BMW M is also hard at work on the all-electric M3 successor. While this may sound like blasphemy to many M car fans, the automaker has already released a teaser detailing what the electric M car would be capable of, and it looks promising.

Environmental pressures may be a concern, but it's not the only reason behind BMW M's move into the electric segment. Most customers just want quick BMWs with razor-sharp handling, regardless of whether they are combustion-engined or EVs.

"Some say that [they're out] if we don't do V8s. But that's okay: I respect that," said van Meel. "We've just been talking to customers, and the feedback is that 90-95% don't care what direction we take [with the] powertrain."