---
title: "BMW M Will Launch Plug-In Hybrid Variant First, Offer Full EV After 2025"
description: "An M-branded plug-in hybrid would reportedly make 600 horsepower and weigh less than 3,800 pounds."
date: "2019-06-25"
modified: "2019-06-25"
authors:
  - name: "Chris Tsui"
    job_title: "Contributor"
    link: "https://www.thedrive.com/authors/chris-tsui"
url: "https://www.thedrive.com/news/28675/bmw-m-will-launch-plug-in-hybrid-variant-first-offer-full-ev-after-2025"
categories:
  - "BMW News"
  - "Car Tech"
  - "Electric Vehicles"
  - "News"
  - "News by Brand"
tags:
  - "BMW"
  - "hybrid"
---

# BMW M Will Launch Plug-In Hybrid Variant First, Offer Full EV After 2025

![](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/images-by-url-td/content/2019/06/bmw-vision-m-next-e1561473199880.jpg>)
*\<em\>www.thedrive.com</em>*

It sounds like BMW's high-performance M division will be embracing electrification in the next handful of years. After unveiling its Vision M Next concept on Tuesday, BMW engineering boss Klaus Fröhlich spoke to [*Roadshow*](<https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/bmw-m-plug-in-hybrid-full-electric/>) abut the company's plans to bring a plug-in hybrid to market, and eventually a fully electric car to the BMW M stable.

"A power PHEV (plug-in hybrid electric vehicle) is next for M," said BMW's head of engineering Klaus Fröhlich. "Beyond 2025, there will be also possibly M BEVs (battery electric vehicles)." Hardly surprising, given [a previous report](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/22319/bmw-to-electrify-all-m-cars-by-2030-report-says>) had M CEO Frank Van Meel saying *all* M cars would be electrified by 2030.

The BMW engineering head also said that the upcoming M plug-in hybrid would produce around 600 horsepower while weighing somewhere between 3,500 and 3,800 pounds—which happens to be the same amount of power as [the current M5](<https://www.thedrive.com/new-cars/24259/2018-bmw-m5-test-drive-review-luxury-sedan-or-supercar-but-never-both-at-the-same-time>) produces, but with approximately 600 to 900 pounds less weight.

![message-editor%2F1561474880139-bmw-vision-m-next-rear.jpg](<https://www.thedrive.com/wp-content/uploads/content-b/message-editor/1561474880139-bmw-vision-m-next-rear.jpg>)
*BMW Vision M Next, *BMW AG**

Meanwhile, a full M EV would be significantly heavier, with BMW's development car internally codenamed "Lucy" reportedly making a healthy 720 hp while weighing a hefty 5,300 pounds thanks to all of the batteries required on-board. Not ideal, especially if the company wants future performance offerings to be good at cornering.

"Weight is key," remarked Fröhlich. "M is not about longitudinal acceleration only."

Serving as a preview to a spiritual successor to the mid-engined M1, BMW's freshly revealed Vision M Next concept is a 600-horsepower plug-in hybrid capable of getting from zero to 62 miles per hour in three seconds and coincidentally has an electric-only range of 62 miles. The brand's gung-ho attitude towards playing with volt power contrasts that of Porsche's GT division, [whose head honcho recently told the press that his engineers won't be touching hybrid or electric tech anytime soon.](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28628/porsche-gt-cars-wont-go-electric-or-hybrid-anytime-soon-brand-boss-says>)

In addition to electrified models, [BMW M also says it's interested in producing its own bespoke, standalone cars](<https://www.thedrive.com/news/28567/bmws-m-division-eyeing-standalone-models-and-its-about-time>) just like Mercedes-AMG.

## Author
Chris Tsui is *The Drive*'s former Reviews Editor and current freelance automotive journalist. He's based in Toronto.

### Author social links  
[Instagram](<https://www.instagram.com/cltsuii/>)