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A single camouflage-clad electric M3 prototype was recently spotted navigating the 12.8-mile Green Hell, where it appeared perfectly at ease.
- BMW has started testing the upcoming electric M3 at the Nürburgring Nordschleife in Germany.
- The model will have up to four electric motors and over 1,000 horsepower in its most powerful guise.
- It is anticipated to launch in 2027, following the electric version of the 3 Series which will enter the market one year earlier.
The production of an all-electric M3 by BMW is significant, and this model will stand apart from previous vehicles, including other contemporary BMW electric models. Nonetheless, it must retain core characteristics typical of a gasoline-powered M3, despite lacking its distinctive engine—a key element contributing to the driving pleasure that has made such cars so desirable.
It must provide not just enjoyable and exciting handling but also achieve impressive lap times on a racetrack. Following sightings of it undergoing tests in the snow-covered north of Europe, the electric M3 The prototype was spotted circulating the Nürburgring Nordschleife, the renowned 12.8-mile testing circuit that subjects many new performance vehicles to rigorous evaluation. This challenging track encompasses an impressive 157 turns within a single lap.
The prototype noticeably demonstrates the BMW Neue Klasse design cues, including the telltale headlight design and the general squared-off aesthetic. We’re not sure if this car is wearing its final production body panels, though, and it could just be a mule that blends production parts with one-off handmade pieces made only for testing.
This model features the standard broadened wheel wells seen on an M series vehicle, complemented by add-on fender flares—which could indicate that this may still be a prototype. These modifications conceal unusually large tires; we anticipate they might measure around 295 or possibly 305 millimeters in width. Given its anticipated performance capabilities surpassing those of all preceding M models—even exceeding the recently introduced plug-in hybrid M5 boasting upwards of 700 horsepower—it requires substantial tire dimensions for adequate traction and handling.
We're certain this is the all-electric version of the M3 since it doesn’t have noticeable exhaust pipes, and its front grille is largely sealed off. @joelre98 posted an Instagram video showing the prototype driving onto the track and silently powering away. If this was a plug-in hybrid, the combustion engine would have started up when the driver floored it as it passed the camera.
A clear sign that these aren't final production parts is the noticeable temporary taillights at the back. These definitely won't appear as they are now on the actual vehicle. The final design for the taillights will closely resemble those showcased in previous concept cars leading up to this one. The electric version of the 3 Series , which might be named i3 in non-M form, so the M version could be designated as either i3M or Mi3.
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Regardless of what it’s called, this electric sedan needs to excite audiences with impressive drift capabilities at steep angles and excel as a precise handler through corners, earning nods of approval from driving aficionados. BMW aims to showcase its prowess in the performance EV segment, an area where its current models have not fully met our expectations. the i4 and i5 are aligned in a straight line, but when they reach the corners, their heaviness becomes apparent, significantly reducing the agility compared to gasoline-powered BMWs.
Given our experience with many performance EVs, we'd opt for either a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N or a Tesla Model 3 Performance when looking to navigate a racetrack at high speeds rather than choosing an electric BMW right now. This preference is quite revealing. However, considering range capabilities, things might look different. four motors and more than 1,000 horsepower in the most powerful variants combined with BMW’s motorsport expertise, we have high hopes for the electric M3, which created significant enthusiasm among BMW executives at an internal drive meeting.
BMW has not specified a timeline for revealing the electric M3, but it will occur after they unveil the standard non-M i3 sedan in 2026. This unveiling follows the introduction of their new Neue Klasse model—an all-electric version similar to the X3—which is set to launch later this year. While we might potentially witness the electric M3’s premiere in 2026, it is more probable that it will arrive around 2027.
