Only a few months have passed since the presentation of the fully electric BMW i3, and the German brand is already approaching the official reveal of the ‘M’ performance version. The long-awaited model could debut this weekend during the 24 Hours of Le Mans or be presented as a concept inspired by motorsport.
Mysterious Box at Le Mans
Photographs taken this week in the Le Mans paddock show that BMW has set up a special fan zone at the event. Inside, there is a large box with glass doors. Images circulating online allow a glimpse of a car hidden behind the glass. It appears to be an electric M3, which will likely be called the iM3.
A few months ago, a series of photos surfaced online purportedly showing this car. The vehicle presented at Le Mans looks very similar to them. Like the standard i3, it has a front end in the Neue Klasse style, but it is noticeably wider, with two square LED daytime running lights on each side.
The rearview mirrors are of particular interest. They do not resemble those fitted on any current production BMW M model. Instead, they look more like mirrors from a racing car. This has led some experts to believe that what is hidden behind the glass is not a production iM3, but a concept showcasing its design.
Track Monster at the Nürburgring
The car’s appearance at Le Mans comes just days after BMW released another series of its multi-part documentary on the development of the electric M3. This episode focuses on the car’s rigorous testing at the Nürburgring Nordschleife, where it has already covered over 8,000 km.
While many details about the car remain secret, it is known that it will feature a four-motor setup with a separate electric motor on each wheel and individual gearboxes. This will allow BMW to control torque distribution with extreme precision.
“This new technology allows us to push the boundaries of vehicle dynamics even further,” BMW states.
“It allows us to send more power to the wheels that can use it most effectively. You can press the accelerator pedal much earlier, right into the wheel slip zone. The car doesn’t push out; it pulls in and goes through the corner, without any understeer or oversteer,” the engineers add.
So, although the switch to electric power will undoubtedly upset some purists, it is clear that BMW aims to make the iM3 as thrilling to drive as possible.
Thus, the company is not simply replacing the internal combustion engine with electric motors, but is completely rethinking the approach to handling. The technology with four independent motors allows for torque vectoring at a completely new level, which in theory should make the car incredibly fast not only on straights but also in corners. It is telling that BMW chose Le Mans for the premiere — this is a powerful message that the electric M3 will inherit the racing spirit of its predecessors, despite the change in powertrain. It remains to wait for the official presentation to see if the new model can offer the same emotion for which cars with the ‘M’ badge are so valued.