It may be inconceivable to enthusiasts of BMW’s M division, but electrification of the brand is on the horizon.
Earlier this year, the M division confirmed it will one day have an all-electric line-up, but that is still years away. In the meantime, however, M engineers are working on hybrid versions to fill the gap.
The vice-president of the M division, Dirk Hacker, told Autocar that electrification is unavoidable, but there are reservations about the move.
Hacker confirmed that they are working on hybrid technology, but that no final decision had been made on how and where the technology will be utilized.
The concern for Hacker, according to the article, is how the extra weight associated with electrification could impact how an M model handles.
“Adding mass to performance cars is never ideal. But if we can use electrification to install more performance, then we start to have the answers,” he said.
Some of the “answers” could be more speed, driving in the city on electric power alone, or a mix of various solutions for different cities, he added.