The engine will remain a six-cylinder, but exact specifications haven’t been revealed
There’s been plenty of speculation about the next-generation BMW M3. While it’s confirmed that an all-electric version is coming—built on an 800-volt platform and delivering over 700 horsepower—BMW is also preparing a gas-powered model to launch alongside it. And now, we’re getting a better idea of what might power that version.
Dr. Mike Reichelt, head of BMW’s Neue Klasse platform, spoke with Top Gear to share new insights into the upcoming M3. According to Reichelt, not only will this new model be the “most dynamic M car ever,” but it will also feature a gas engine different from the one in today’s car.
“We’re also going to offer [the M3] with a new type of six-cylinder engine,” Reichelt revealed. “We understand it may be too soon for some loyal M fans to go fully electric. But we believe the all-electric M3 will reach new performance levels and appeal to a broader audience, as it will drive in a completely new way.”
The current M3 uses the S58—a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that makes up to 523 horsepower in its most potent form. The new engine could be a hybrid evolution of that same unit, though nothing is confirmed. However, it’s expected to surpass the current engine in performance, possibly reaching the same 700-horsepower mark as the electric model.
And for those worried BMW might follow Mercedes-Benz’s lead and downsize to a four-cylinder, rest easy. BMW has already made it clear that shrinking the M3’s engine to four cylinders would be “really difficult.”
The upcoming M3 will also debut BMW’s new “Heart of Joy” performance control unit, first shown in the Vision Neue Klasse concept. This system unifies the drivetrain, braking, energy recuperation, charging, and steering into one high-speed controller that processes data ten times faster than current systems. BMW says this tech will enable “exceptional precision.”
Reichelt stressed that the all-electric M3 won’t just focus on straight-line speed.
“It’s no longer about building the fastest 0–62 mph car,” he told Top Gear. “It’s about achieving precise dynamics. That’s what this new control unit enables—you enter a corner with a set steering angle and don’t have to correct mid-turn.”
So when can we expect to see this new inline-six in action? The Neue Klasse BMW 3 Series is expected to debut later this year, ahead of its early 2026 market launch. The M3 will follow sometime after, likely arriving in late 2026 or early 2027.
