BMW M confirms new electric performance car for 2021

Inevitable, yes, but also Really Quite Big News. BMW M has confirmed it intends to present an “electrically powered performance automobile for the first time” later in 2021.

Which likely means you’re staring at the very pointy, electrified end of an M Performance-badged BMW i4, or even the iNext crossover; two electric cars it’s OK to get excited about.

Announcing a record year of sales for M cars in 2020, the Big Boss of BMW’s performance arm, Markus Flasch, is apparently looking forward to ‘presenting a completely new manifestation of the distinctive M feeling’.

At the time of the i4’s 2020 launch, BMW said its 523bhp powertrain ranked it “alongside a current BMW V8”. Indeed, the i4 uses BMW’s generation 5 electrical system, and is capable of 0-62mph in 4.0 seconds with a range of just over 370 miles.

Plus, it promises to be good to drive, too. What trickery M has up its sleeve to make it even pointier then, is an intriguing prospect. Watch out Tesla Model 3, etc…

The news of an electrified M car fits into BMW’s new strategy of ‘power of choice’, for which, read: any Series, any powertrain you want. Plus, there’ll be yet more M car choice the following year. Because in 2022, BMW M celebrates its fiftieth anniversary, and nothing screams car anniversary like ‘special edition’.

“If I mention the keyword special edition models,” said Flasch, “it should be clear what our customers can look forward to during the anniversary year.”

So, decision time: M440i or Mi4?