AUTONEWS

Electric BMW M3 Spotted

BMW has been filmed testing its long-awaited electric M3 at the iconic Nürburgring. The electric drivetrain looks impressive on the track, equally exciting, but also remarkably quiet.

As reported by Mundoquatrorodas, a video shot by CarSpyMedia shows the new electric M3 racking up miles on the legendary track. Although it doesn't make any engine noise, aside from the screeching of tires, it seems to be moving at breakneck speed. The short video gives us more angles of the new M3 in action.

Although the license plate ending in “E” doesn’t exclude plug-in hybrids, we’re not hearing the roar of an inline-six. Predictably, the electric M3 is eerily quiet, although wlisten ton hear an ICE-powered car in the background. The noise made by the first full-fat M electric model comes from the tires. While purists will find an EV sacrilegious, they can take comfort in knowing BMW will do another six-cylinder M3, the “G84.”

But what if we were to tell you M might give the electric M3 the sound of a gas car? A recent teaser video hinted at the prospects of a synthesized straight-six noise. We will find out for sure as the car’s launch approaches, expected in 2027. Meanwhile, BMW will launch the regular i3 sedan (“NA0”) in the latter half of 2026.

Since the electric M3 is still in its early stages, the prototype caught at the Nordschleife doesn’t have all the production bits in place. Although it appears to have the final body panels, the lights are temporary. The shape, size, and location of the headlights and taillights are unlikely to change since that would require modifications to the bodywork. However, BMW will modify the inner graphics at both ends.

The new M model, which will be part of the Neue Klasse vehicle line-up, is pretty well hidden under camouflage foil, but we can clearly make out the car's flared fenders and aggressive bumpers.

Unfortunately, details are still pretty vague. BMW has previously suggested that the electric M3 could easily exceed 600 horsepower, with even more powerful Performance variants of 700 hp.

We won't know much more about the electric M3 until we get closer to the vehicle's debut date. We expect to see an electric 3 Series this year, but the M3 variant likely won't debut until 2026, before hitting showrooms in 2027. The first car to showcase the brand's new Neue Klasse design language will be the iX3 electric SUV later this year.

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