Recently, a group of road test spy photos of the BMW electric version of the M3 prototype were exposed on the Internet, attracting widespread attention from car enthusiasts and industry insiders. This pure electric performance car built on BMW's new Neue Klasse platform marks an important milestone in the transformation of BMW's M Power series to electrification. It is estimated that it will be named iM3 after it goes on the market.
From the exposed spy photos, although the electric M3 prototype is covered with heavy camouflage, it can still be seen that it adopts BMW's latest Neue Klasse design concept. In the front face, the iconic double kidney grille is retained, but the shape is flatter, and it is expected to adopt a closed design to optimize aerodynamic performance.
The headlight group adopts a new split design, with slender daytime running lights on the upper part and matrix LED headlights on the lower part. This design language is highly similar to the recently released Vision Neue Klasse concept car. The side lines of the body are smooth, retaining the classic four-door coupe proportions of the M3, but the roof line is more inclined, presenting a more sporty posture.
Although BMW has not yet announced specific performance parameters, according to insiders, the electric M3 will be equipped with BMW's latest fifth-generation eDrive electric drive system. This system uses an 800-volt high-voltage architecture and supports ultra-fast charging, which is expected to complete 10%-80% charging within 15 minutes.
In terms of power, the electric M3 is expected to be equipped with a three-motor system (single motor on the front axle + dual motors on the rear axle), with a combined output power of more than 600 horsepower, and a 0-100km/h acceleration time of 3 seconds. It is worth mentioning that BMW M department engineers have specially developed a unique "sound experience" for this electric performance car, which will simulate the sound characteristics of traditional fuel M models.
As an important member of the M Power series, the electric M3 is uncompromising in chassis tuning. The new car will be equipped with active air suspension, four-wheel steering system and specially tuned electric power steering system to ensure that the iconic driving pleasure of BMW M models can be maintained even after the electrification transformation.
The battery pack uses BMW's new generation of cylindrical cells, with energy density increased by more than 20%, while achieving a weight distribution close to 50:50 through a clever chassis layout. The M department has also specially strengthened the body rigidity and equipped it with a carbon ceramic brake system to cope with the greater mass of electric performance cars.
In terms of interior, the electric M3 will use BMW's latest "Panoramic Vision" head-up display system, which projects key driving information onto the entire width of the windshield. The center console design is extremely simple, with a significant reduction in physical buttons, and the main functions are integrated into an ultra-thin curved display.
BMW has also developed an exclusive "M Mode" driving mode selection system for the electric M3, allowing the driver to switch between efficient, sport and track modes, each of which will adjust the power output, suspension hardness, steering weight and energy recovery intensity accordingly.
The launch of the electric M3 will enable BMW to compete directly with high-end electric performance cars such as Tesla Model S Plaid and Mercedes-AMG EQE performance version. However, the head of BMW's M department has previously stated that the electric M3 will focus more on track performance and driving participation rather than simply pursuing straight-line acceleration data.
According to people familiar with the matter, the BMW electric M3 is expected to be officially released in 2026 and delivered in 2027. In terms of price, it is expected to be slightly higher than the current fuel version of the M3, and the starting price may be around US$90,000.
The exposure of the electric M3 prototype marks the entry of the BMW M department's electrification strategy into a substantive stage. While retaining the core driving pleasure of the M model, the technological innovation brought by the Neue Klasse platform will redefine the standard of high-performance electric vehicles. As testing continues, more details about this electric performance beast will be revealed one after another, and car fans around the world are eagerly waiting for BMW to write a new chapter in the M legend in the electric era.
