In
https://g20.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1614384 the M boss "last week" said:
“I can’t confirm it [RWD and AWD M3], but I’ve driven cars,” Flasch admits.
“We were able to take over the entire drivetrain concept that we offer in the M5, and we are able to do rear-wheel drive version as well, plus manual transmission."
“I won’t disclose today how we configure those opportunities, but we can do whatever the markets globally demand."
“We got it. We can’t confirm that we’ll bring it, but we got it.”
So kinda sounds like if enough people write in/complain to BMW they will reconsider, dunno.