BMW has confirmed that the future electric i3 M60 xDrive will get shift paddles that simulate the operation of a gearbox. The launch of the model, which will become the new top of the i3 lineup, is planned for 2027. The decision is notable because not long ago BMW described this kind of technology as a fun trick rather than a useful feature.
The feature was confirmed by BMW engineer Christian Heiss at an international presentation of the car. According to him, the paddles are linked to the M eDrive mode, but they do not change gear ratios as a real gearbox does. Instead, each press changes the character of power delivery from the electric motor. Unofficially, the company uses the word "Stages," meaning "steps," but the function does not yet have an official name. BMW has not disclosed how many such stages there are, nor details of how torque is limited.
The change in position is noticeable given that BMW initially dismissed Hyundai's virtual gearbox. The company revised its view after its engineers drove electric models, including the Ioniq 5 N, and assessed how much driving engagement such simulation could add. BMW's approach to limiting torque differs from Hyundai's solution called N e-Shift, although the company has not yet provided a detailed description of its mechanism. The function will be available only on M Performance and more powerful versions, while simpler i3 variants will not get it.
The expected specifications of the model have not yet been officially confirmed. According to unofficial data, the output will be around 450 kW (603 hp) and the torque 875 N·m. It is assumed that the i3 M60 will use the same 108.7 kWh battery as the iX3 M60, but this information also remains unconfirmed. Thus, the specific parameters of the car, including acceleration and range, remain open questions, with final data expected closer to launch.
Separately, it is worth noting news from the related electric vehicle sector. Jaguar Land Rover has confirmed that production of the electric Defender Sport will begin at its Halewood plant by the end of 2027. The model is built on the JLR EMA platform, and a hybrid version is under development. The company is also preparing a more compact Defender, which will replace the Evoque later in 2027, although it has not yet been given a final name. The limitations of the new platform may reduce suspension travel compared with the current Defender, making engineering compromises noticeable even in the case of an updated lineup.