BMW M confirms mystery electrified model to debut in 2021

BMW has revealed that its M division will pull the drapes off an "electrically powered performance automobile" in 2021.

Breaking the news in a press release celebrating the performance division's 2020 sales results, neither BMW M nor the broader BMW Group have provided further details, including whether "electrically powered" means a full-electric powertrain, plug-in hybrid or simply 48-volt mild-hybrid.

The revelation BMW M's first electrified vehicle will make its debut in 2021 follows on from a tease in the bizarre BMW M Town video released recently that pictures the one-off BMW M3 ute with side decals branded "26 2021".

It's now thought the new BMW M model will makes its debut in the 26th week of 2021, which should see it land between June 28 and July 4.

It is hotly tipped to be an M performance version of the upcoming BMW i4 four-door coupe, although the BMW X8 M SUV's arrival could also signal the car-maker's launch of its high-performance plug-in hybrid powertrain.

If it's the former, the twin electric motor powertrain in a BMW i4 M could muster as much as 400kW/800Nm between them in its bid to offer a sub-4.0sec 0-100km/h sprint.

Powering the BMW i4 is an 80kWh lithium-ion battery that weighs in at around 550kg and is said to provide for a range of around 600km.

As well as the mystery model, BMW M confirmed it would also launch its BMW M4 Convertible in 2021 in time for the "warm season" which suggest a third-quarter arrival.

BMW M also revealed that hardcore Competition versions will, in future, be automatic-only, with the manual gearbox dropped from models like the BMW M2 Competition.

Finally, both the BMW M3 sedan and M4 coupe will get the option of the car-maker's all-wheel drive xDrive hardware from the third quarter of 2021.