BMW’s M Division is known for rewriting the rulebook on performance. From its pioneering work in turbocharging to its divisive adoption of all-wheel drive, the M badge has always been synonymous with pushing boundaries.
Now, it’s taking on its biggest challenge yet: electrification. Enter The Beast, a first-generation M2 coupe reimagined as a prototype for the future of electric performance.
A Glimpse Into “The Beast”
Behind closed doors in 2018, a small group of BMW engineers embarked on a mission to explore the uncharted. The result? A stripped-down, electrified M2 prototype. Internally known as The Beast, this vehicle wasn’t designed for polished showrooms or production lines—it’s a raw, unruly laboratory on wheels.
From the outside, the changes are subtle but meaningful. A ducktail spoiler hints at aerodynamic considerations, gold-painted carbon-ceramic brakes speak to serious stopping power, and tow hooks underscore its utilitarian focus. Inside, the story is different. The cabin has been gutted to make room for a roll cage, a racing seat, and enough testing equipment to make a Formula 1 engineer blush.
While BMW remains coy about the exact specs, it’s widely speculated that The Beast packs a quad-motor setup, with each motor assigned to a single wheel. If true, this would make the M2 prototype not just powerful but a cornerstone of BMW’s electric all-wheel-drive ambitions.
The Challenge of Controlling Raw Power
“The Beast is hard to tame,” admits Michael Sailer, a dynamics engineer at BMW M. That’s no surprise. Early prototypes often emphasize pushing limits rather than refining usability. The team likens this stage of development to the F10 M5’s evolution from a rear-wheel-drive tire shredder to an all-wheel-drive masterpiece.
M Division head Frank Van Meel draws a direct comparison: “In 2015, everyone thought all-wheel drive would ruin the M5. Fast forward a few years, and it redefined performance expectations.” The same philosophy applies here. Electrification is less about compromising the M DNA and more about evolving it.
A Nod to the Future: Neue Klasse and Beyond
While The Beast may never see production, it’s a crucial step toward BMW’s first all-electric M3, expected in 2027. Dubbed the “Neue Klasse M3,” this sedan will embody lessons learned from this not-so-ordinary M2.
Its quad-motor powertrain could deliver up to 1,341 horsepower, rivaling hypercars in straight-line speed while leveraging advanced software for unprecedented cornering capabilities.
Even as BMW dives headlong into electrification, traditionalists can rest easy knowing that the internal combustion M3 isn’t being abandoned yet. The next-generation ICE M3, featuring the legendary inline-six, is expected to coexist alongside its electric sibling. BMW is ensuring that the shift to EVs doesn’t erase the past but builds on it.
From Experiment to Evolution
Electrification may seem like a departure from tradition, but BMW M is treating it as a natural progression. The Beast serves as a reminder that innovation often starts with chaos. It’s raw, unruly, and unapologetically experimental—exactly what you’d expect from the team that turned skepticism about AWD into a selling point.
As the automotive world pivots to electric, BMW M is positioning itself not just to follow trends but to lead them. If this M2 version is any indication, the future of performance won’t be about trading dynamics for efficiency—it will be about redefining both.
Charge Complete
BMW’s electrification journey is equal parts homage and evolution. The Beast proves that even in its experimental stages, the M Division refuses to sacrifice its core values.
With the first all-electric M3 on the horizon and lessons from this electrified M2 prototype in hand, the road ahead looks as thrilling as ever—whether it’s powered by gasoline or electrons.
