BMW is already offering the i8 plug-in hybrid. Though it has to come out with an all-electric high-performance car, not to mention one tuned by the storied M performance division. As Auto Express says, that may be changed soon.

“It will happen, but the question is when is that going to happen,” BMW performance boss Frank Van Meel told Auto Express. “Currently we still have a power to weight issue with electrification which makes that difficult to fit into a motorsports philosophy.”

“We already see the stop/start feature coming to M vehicles and the next step is electrification,” Van Meel said. “At the end it will also be pure electric, but it’s going to take some time.” He also noted that power-to-weight issues remain a challenge in bringing electrified powertrains to sporty cars.

Before the fully electric M vehicles offer, BMW will take just little steps forward top electrification with bringing to the M lineup a hybrid technology. The aim will be to make better performance before than fuel economy.

Meel whiffled idea that the M division could make a new i8 performance car

Meel whiffled idea that the M division could make a new i8 performance car. “That wouldn’t make sense,” Meel said. “It’s two different directions. M is about uncompromised motorsport, whereas Project i looks into the future and is uncompromised efficiency.”

BMW is hoping to sell 100,000 plug-in and battery electric cars in 2017. On the long road, BMW will launch an X3 EV in 2020 so as the iNext EV with autonomous ability for 2021. A car with fuel cell is on the wait for 2025, while a new solid-state electrolyte battery will to arrive in 2026.