Electric M3 retains legendary name
BMW M division head Frank van Meel has finally dispelled one of the biggest mysteries surrounding the future electric sedan. Contrary to rumors, the first battery-powered M3 will not receive the iM3 badge. Its official name will remain simply M3.
This decision was confirmed during the Goodwood Festival of Speed. By retaining the legendary name, BMW demonstrates that the electric sports sedan is not positioned as a separate branch of the family. Instead, it will become an equal successor to the new generation of the gasoline-powered M3, continuing the model’s glorious history.
Why not iM3?
Electric vehicles often receive separate names to distinguish them from their gasoline counterparts. If the electric M3 followed the naming logic that BMW applies to electric versions of the regular 3 Series and 5 Series, it could have been called iM3. However, BMW is confident that the essence of the M3 transcends the type of engine.
The electric model is expected to become the most powerful M3 in history. The new architecture with four electric motors is theoretically capable of delivering up to 1,341 hp (1,360 PS / 1 MW), although production versions will likely have significantly more modest figures. Even the base version with around 700 hp (710 PS / 522 kW) will easily surpass all previous M3s.
Not just power
Engineers from the M division are focused not only on impressive numbers. Christian Karg, head of vehicle dynamics at BMW Group, noted:
It’s not about horsepower. That’s part of the game, but it’s the precision of M car tuning that makes them unique.
The design of the future sedan has already been previewed by the M Concept Neue Klasse, which debuted at Le Mans in June and reappeared at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.
Yellow DRLs as an M signature?
The concept develops the chiseled style of the production i3 electric vehicle presented last year. It is lower than the i3, features significantly wider fenders, a hood vent already spotted on M3 prototypes, yellow daytime running lights (DRLs) that could become an M signature feature, as well as a dual-element spoiler on the trunk lid and a massive diffuser.
Although production details will undoubtedly be simplified, the show car provides a clear idea of the direction BMW M3 design is heading — for both the electric and gasoline versions. Good news for traditionalists: a new gasoline-powered M3 with an inline six-cylinder engine and a mild hybrid system is also under development. While the ICE car will use the updated CLAR platform and the electric vehicle will use the Neue Klasse architecture, they will look almost identical.
BMW, SH Proshots
Thus, BMW is taking a bold step by uniting the electric and gasoline future under one iconic name. This decision underscores that for the company, the DNA of the M3 is not just about the type of engine, but a holistic set of characteristics, dynamics, and engineering excellence. All that remains is to wait for the production versions to see how these ambitious plans materialize and whether the new electric vehicle can retain the same driving magic that its ICE predecessors were famous for. The choice of a shared name also simplifies the model lineup perception for buyers, who will no longer have to navigate the nuances of the iM3 or M3 badges — both cars will simply be M3, albeit with different powertrains.