BMW Is Already Telling Electric M3 Haters To Drive It First

Coming Soon: The Electric M3

It's now confirmed that the battery-powered M3 will be simply named, well, M3. It won't be called iM3 or M3 EV, just the original name, as BMW wants to prove that it's still a true M product despite the lack of an engine. We're also expecting nearly 700 hp from it, and it should be a rocket at the very least.

The electric M3 was largely previewed as the M Neue Klasse concept. After all, it looks like an i3 that had hit the gym, so we can expect elements from that car to make it to production. The thing is, it was just a preview of things to come.

A More Purposeful Design Language

Whether you like it or not, the concept car will now be the template for every future BMW M car. The concept was primarily handled by Michael Scully, who was also behind the company's hypercar. Scully calls BMW M's new generation of design 'purposeful,' prioritizing function over form.

The reason for that is, well, race cars. Scully says everything on a competition vehicle is built for a purpose. "In motorsport, we never do anything for a cosmetic reason," said the designer. Okay, maybe except for the livery, but other than that, he makes a strong point.

With that in mind, we could expect more aggressive fender flares and integrated aerodynamics on the road cars soon. It probably won't be to the same extent as the concept, but we wouldn't be surprised if we see even more purposeful-looking M cars.

The New Face of M

BMW M Head of Design Oliver Heimler said, "This concept car will represent the future of BMW M in terms of performance and design." That was backed up by the head of the M division, Sylvia Neuebauer.

"The BMW M concept Neue Klasse doesn't stand for one specific car, but it shows all of the design principles, and we have taken so many parts from motorsports," said Neuebauer. Her sentiments echo those of Michael Scully, so we're expecting more exciting times ahead. With that in mind, it appears that future BMW models will already have the M versions integrated into development.

Addressing the Haters

While there's a lot of fanfare within the company for the electric M3, the current M boss knows there will still be people who won't like it. She does urge skeptics to try it out first before casting the final say.

"The haters I cannot really understand because in order to judge something, you should first of all experience it and then decide whether you like it or not. Experience the car, and after that they can decide whether they like it or not, and if they don't like it, they can still go for the combustion-engined cars." At least BMW is still offering the freedom of choice, and it's worth noting that the lady would also like to bring back the M1 at some point.

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