- The BMW M3 EV has been spied testing on the Nürburgring.
- Closely echoes the M Concept Neue Klasse and arrives next year.
- Quad motor electric sport sedan could have up to 986 hp.
BMW unveiled the M Concept Neue Klasse in June and it’s quickly inching closer to production. That’s clear from the latest spy photos, which show the high-performance EV undergoing testing at the Nürburgring.
Dressed in familiar black and white camouflage, the model follows in the footsteps of the standard i3. Despite the similarities, we can see the M variant will adopt a unique front bumper with a pronounced air intake. The latter features a triangular center support as well as horizontal fins.
More: BMW’s New Electric M3 Proves The Concept Wasn’t Kidding
We can also see a pronounced front lip and familiar headlights. Bulky cladding at the outside edges suggests the production model could mimic the concept and sport stacked fog lights instead of the typical air curtains. Elsewhere, there’s a ventilated hood and a double bubble roof.
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The profile carries over virtually untouched, but the model rides on lightweight wheels that are backed up by a high-performance braking system with bronze calipers. The ride height has also been reduced and this is undoubtedly the result of a sport-tuned suspension.
Moving around back, the trunk has been equipped with a relatively subtle spoiler. They’re accompanied by a unique bumper and a sizable diffuser. The latter features air channels on the sides and center as well as small slots between it and the bumper. Speaking of the latter, the bumper appears to have four square reflectors like the concept.
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Spy photographers didn’t get a good look inside, but the cabin should closely echo the i3. This means we can expect Panoramic iDrive as well as a 17.9-inch infotainment system. We also wouldn’t be surprised to find an M steering wheel, sport seats, and special touches.
The model will slot above the i3 50 xDrive, which has a dual motor all-wheel drive system producing 463 hp (345 kW / 469 PS) and 476 lb-ft (645 Nm) of torque. They’re powered by a 108.7 kWh battery pack, which delivers an EPA-estimated range of 440 miles (708 km). The model also has an 800-volt architecture, which allows for an impressive 400 kW DC fast charging capability.
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The M3 EV will improve on those numbers thanks to a quad motor powertrain that “elevates driving experience and racetrack capability to a new level.” BMW has been coy on numbers, but rumors have suggested anywhere from around 691 hp (515 kW / 700 PS) to 986 hp (735 kW / 1,000 PS). For comparison, the Mercedes-AMG C-Class Electric is expected to have approximately 789 hp (588 kW / 800 PS).
While the final numbers are a mystery, BMW has already suggested the car won’t be called the i3 M. Instead, the model will simply be known as the ‘Electric M3’ or ‘M3 EV’ as the company wants customers to know this is a ‘real’ M3 and not just an electric pretender.
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