BMW has revealed a near-production M3 electric wrapped in camouflage. The images released provide us an insight into what the final, production model will look like. The fully electric M3 will be the second model from the brand's latest Neue Klasse series produced in Munich, following the fully-electric i3. “We are delighted that we will also be producing the first fully-electric BMW M3 here in Munich,” said Peter Weber, Head of BMW Group Plant Munich.
BMW M3 electric exterior design
M Neue Klasse details visible include the sleek front grille and LED elements
Some of the styling details poking through the camouflage are similar to what we see on the combustion-powered 3 Series. This means there’s the new kidney grille design up front that’s flanked by angular LED lighting signatures. Lower down, however, is a revised bumper with pronounced aero elements and cube-shaped LEDs stacked vertically. The bonnet of the M3 electric also sports a hump.
The so-called “reinterpreted M aero” ORVMs of the concept have been replaced by a more conventional design. Save for the centre cap design, the all-black alloy wheels look similar to what was seen on the concept. The rear of the camouflaged M3 electric gets a bootlip spoiler and the same cube-like design integrated into the bumper.
BMW M3 electric expected interior and features
Some of the design and equipment seen on the M Neue Klasse concept will make it to the production model
While BMW is yet to show the interior of the upcoming M3 electric, it’s likely to borrow some of the cues from the M Neue Klasse concept. The latter was showcased with a sleek digital instrument panel cutting across the base of the windscreen and a chunky steering wheel with red highlights and BMW M stitching. The sloping centre console of the concept has a red toggle-style drive selector with ‘M’ branding, while the dashboard features a ‘floating’ infotainment screen.
The cabin of the M Neue Klasse concept is primarily finished in black leather, with hexagonal lighting pattern on the textured dashboard. The production model could also come with the sporty bucket seats finished in a two-tone M livery. There will also be ‘M’ lettering and graphics on the seats and displays, respectively, as has been the case with other BMW M cars.
BMW M3 electric powertrain
The M3 EV could feature an 800V architecture and four electric motors
BMW said that the M Neue Klasse concept featured an M-specific version of its sixth-generation cylindrical cells with a capacity of over 100kWh. The 800-volt architecture powers four electric motors – one for each wheel – as part of its new M eDrive powertrain. This will be accompanied by BMW’s new 'Heart of Joy' control unit and M Dynamic Performance Control software, with wheel-specific power delivery and braking systems.
BMW is yet to reveal specifics regarding this setup’s output or performance. “It’s not about having even more power. At the end of the day, you can’t put that down to the road anyway. You need to have sufficient power at every corner of the car and we are using four electric motors, but you will never use it at the same time,” BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel told Autocar UK.
Instead, the focus here appears to revolve around better stability without compromising agility. “You can brake the inner wheels, accelerate the outer ones and can get out of turns in a completely different way. It’s a new era of vehicle dynamics,” said van Meel.
He also stated that the fully electric M3 will come with simulated gear shifts but without simulated engine sounds, with the intention being better driving intuitiveness. “We tried all the different sounds. We had a high-revving V10 from the M5, a high-revving V8 from the M3 and even tried the four-cylinder from the E30. But every sound only made sense for that specific car. If you try to put the sound in another car, the feeling is not right.”
According to van Meel, the priority while driving on a track isn’t down to just copying the feel and emotion of a combustion-powered car. Quickness around the track is more important. “You need to have some pedal feel and ratios that you are comfortable with, so that you automatically know you are driving [for example] 100mph because you are in third gear, because you know the deceleration and acceleration. That’s what you want. You can of course copy a gearbox, and it’s already quite emotional. That’s a good idea. But we want more," van Meel continued.
BMW M3 electric production
The M3 EV will be made at the BMW Group Plant in Munich
BMW will be investing around EUR 650 million into its Munich facility to prepare it for fully electric models. Part of this investment has gone into modernising production structures and systematic digitalisation, along with enhancing cooperation with the development teams and suppliers. According to the brand, from 2027 onwards, this facility will only be producing EVs such as the M3 electric.
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