A prototype of the BMW M3 EV was recently caught in the Arctic Circle with a light coating of snow clinging to its camouflaged body. The sheetmetal looks close to production, and the wide wing flares look on point for an M-series derivation of BMW’s radical yet somehow familiar Neue Klasse styling directive.
Like previous iterations of this new DNA for the BMW brand, this all-electric M3 wears a much less controversial version of the kidney bean grilles than those found in the current G80 generation M3. The glass-to-body ratio is reminiscent of a BMW 2002, making the car look more upright. The rear end looks surprisingly like the subtle, almost forgotten contours of the fifth-generation E90 BMW 3 Series. But what’s truly exciting is how this particular example lacks a traditional spoiler, or at least one we can see beneath all the camouflaging.
BMW previously suggested it would pursue both ICE and EV versions of its vaunted M-series performance line. The question remains if this M3 EV will have an “i” in its name like the other electric-motivated BMWs. But BMW M CEO Frank van Meel told Autocar, “Do we need to set them apart? An M3 is a promise, not an engine.”
Internet chatter suggests the M3 EV will be all-wheel drive, possibly with four electric motors instead of the more conventional route of having one per axle. There’s also talk of this powertrain being good for well over 1000 horsepower, and that number seems plausible. EVs like the Lucid Air Sapphire proved the point, while the Tesla Model 3 Performance suggests that 510 horsepower is merely just the beginning. Whatever the final power output shall be, the cross-drilled brake rotors and massive front brake callipers shown in these spy shots are likely up to the task.
Well, it better be. After our own Jason Cammisa reviewed a Tesla Model 3 Performance against the hottest ICE-powered M3, it was no contest once you factored the Tesla’s price advantage. We fully expect any BMW, especially an M-series, to have a superior interior than a cheaper alternative, but the die is cast with the Tesla.
Giving a Tesla resounding defeat – and resetting the sport sedan bar – is almost necessary at this point, and one can hope the cold-weather testing is only one part of BMW M’s plan to achieve this lofty goal.
