The upcoming BMW M3 EV is rapidly approaching its debut, with spy shots revealing a high-performance electric sedan that could produce up to 986 horsepower. BMW has been coy on the final specifications, but rumors suggest the quad-motor powertrain will sit above the standard i3 50 xDrive in the lineup. [1]Spy shots of the car have already circulated online, showing the roof hidden under a cap while the test mule is driven.
Camouflage reveals design details
Test mules for the new model have been spotted on the Nürburgring, dressed in familiar black and white camouflage. The production version is expected to closely echo the M Concept Neue Klasse unveiled in June. Photographers noted a pronounced front bumper with a triangular center support and horizontal fins. The design also appears to include stacked fog lights at the outer edges, mimicking the concept rather than using the typical air curtains found on many modern sedans.
Balanced against the aggressive front end is a double bubble roof and a ventilated hood. The profile remains largely untouched, but the model rides on lightweight wheels paired with a high-performance braking system featuring bronze calipers. The ride height has been lowered, indicating a sport-tuned suspension has been installed. At the rear, a relatively subtle spoiler sits above a unique bumper and a sizable diffuser with air channels on the sides and center.
Interior and powertrain expectations
While spy photographers did not capture the interior, it is expected to closely mirror the standard i3. This implies the inclusion of a Panoramic iDrive system and a 17.9-inch infotainment display. Drivers should also expect an M-specific steering wheel and sport seats, completing the high-performance aesthetic.
Current i3 50 xDrive models feature a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing 463 hp and 476 lb-ft of torque. These vehicles rely on a 108.7 kWh battery pack with an EPA-estimated range of 440 miles and support for 800-volt architecture. The new M3 EV will improve on these figures by utilizing a quad motor setup that BMW claims “raises driving experience and racetrack capability to a new level.”
Rumors place the electric sedan’s output anywhere from around 691 hp to 986 hp. For context, the Mercedes-AMG C-Class Electric is expected to produce approximately 789 hp. Despite the power increase, the car will not be called the i3 M. Instead, the company intends to market it simply as the ‘Electric M3’ or ‘M3 EV.’ This naming strategy is intended to signal to customers that this is a ‘real’ M3 and not merely an electric adaptation of a smaller vehicle.