Popular performance car to be axed: No next-gen plans for BMW X3 M as the Mercedes GLC and Audi Q5 rival leans into electrification - report

Get ready to pour one out for the BMW X3 M, as insiders say there are no plans to bring a full-fat M car to the next-gen SUV.

Reports from BMW-focused outlets say there’s been no development or testing relating to a new BMW X3 M, with the brand instead looking to build an iX3 M on its new electric car architecture.

BMWBlog has published word from insiders that the electric successor to the X3 M will be built on the Neue Klasse architecture allowing more range and power - a step up for BMW’s electric offerings.

It’s not the first time rumours have circled that the performance variant of the X3 will go electric-only, with BMWBlog having published similar reports as early as 2022 during testing of the new X3.

Though unconfirmed by BMW, the lack of test mule sightings suggests the outlet may be correct in its assertion.

If an iX3 M is to be built on the Neue Klasse platform, which will also underpin the brands future EVs, BMWBlog says to expect more than 450kW and charging speeds of up to 30 per cent better than current-gen BMW electric cars.

An iX3 M Sport is currently available in Australia with 210kW and 400Nm sent to the rear wheels, starting from $89,100 before on-road costs, so a performance variant with so much more power on a new platform would certainly be significantly more expensive.

2025 BMW X3

In terms of the petrol X3 M, BMW currently lists the 2024 X3 M Competition at $178,000 for buyers to get into the 375kW/650Nm all-wheel drive variant.

Mercifully, the standard variants of the next-generation petrol X3 aren’t too much more expensive than their predecessors - the new X3 20 will start from $84,500 when it arrives, only $1400 more expensive than the current X3 sDrive 20i.

The juiciest variant of petrol X3 may now remain the X3 M50 xDrive, with a traditional BMW 3.0-litre turbo-petrol engine making 293kW and 580Nm.