by The electric M3 is expected to get four motors and 700 horsepower. The Neue Klasse design will add compact kidney grilles and modern body contours. Flared wheel arches and a bold front end give this electric vehicle serious presence.
The Electric M3 Becomes a Reality
The fully electric BMW M3 is no longer just a concept for forum discussions. It is taking shape in the real world, and the latest spy photos provide the clearest look yet at BMW’s future super sedan.
The idea of a fully electric M3 may upset some traditionalists, but there is no need to panic. Alongside this electric version, BMW will continue to offer an M3 with an internal combustion engine, which will inherit the same turbocharged inline-six engine from the current model without full hybridization. Purists will not be left out.
The electric M3 opens a new era of BMW design
Neue Klasse Platform and Design
The electric version, possibly named iM3, will be built on the new i3 platform, which will debut next year as the reimagined electric 3-Series. As with that model, the M variant will adhere to the Neue Klasse design philosophy. This means abandoning the polarizing kidney grille of the current M3 in favor of something more refined and, perhaps, more integrated.
Judging by the latest prototype, the headlights look almost production-ready. The daytime running lights are cleanly integrated into the headlight units and precisely aligned with the redesigned night grilles. There is a strong sense of alignment here, both literally and visually, which has not always been characteristic of recent BMW models.
Powerful Exterior
It’s also hard not to be impressed by how muscular this prototype looks. The front and rear wheel arches appear very wide, giving it an extremely aggressive look perfectly suited for an M-badged model. It may not sound as good as the current M3, but it seems to have no less visual presence.
What Will Power It?
Then comes the question of performance. BMW is known to be developing an electric powertrain with four motors for the new model and claims its configuration can deliver up to 1,341 horsepower. However, it is unlikely that the production model will reach such figures. BMW is expected to limit power to around 700 hp, which would keep it safely below the future electric M5 and preserve the performance hierarchy within the lineup.
Even so, with such power, it will comfortably outpace the next-generation M3 with an internal combustion engine, whose power is predicted to be around 550 hp. This performance advantage could become a major talking point when both cars hit the roads.
Weight and Handling
One of the key compromises will be weight. Spy photos from earlier this year suggest the electric M3 could weigh 465 kg (1,025 lbs) more than the current gasoline version. This is a significant increase, and how BMW balances this extra mass with chassis tuning will be crucial to the car’s handling character.
The emergence of the electric M3 clearly demonstrates BMW’s strategy of parallel development of different powertrain types. This allows the company to meet both environmental requirements and the expectations of traditional engine enthusiasts. The promised specifications for the electric version indicate that performance remains a priority even when transitioning to new technology. The success of this model will largely depend on a successful combination of power, handling dynamics, and preserving the emotions that have always been associated with M cars, regardless of the energy source.
