Electric or not, the M3 still matters, especially when BMW decides to shake things up. Car enthusiasts haven’t exactly been begging for an all-electric version of the M3, but that hasn’t stopped BMW from building one anyway.

The upcoming EV, currently referred to as the iM3, will be sold alongside the combustion-powered version of the sports sedan. Over the past year, it’s been spotted undergoing testing in multiple locations around the globe. Now, two new prototypes have been caught by our spy photographers, giving us a closer look at some previously unseen details.

Sharp Looks, Familiar Details

One of the camouflaged test cars appears to be wearing production-ready fender flares for the first time. These widened arches are a subtle but important detail, giving the car a broader, more aggressive stance that mirrors the current G80 M3’s proportions. Visually, they make a strong first impression.

Read: BMW’s Electric Super Sedan Could Arrive Sooner Than You Think

This same prototype is also equipped with a set of eye-catching black wheels featuring an intricate spoke design, similar to those of the G80 and the G82 M3. As we’ve seen in the past, it also has a Neue Klasse-inspired front fascia with sleek headlights that flow gracefully into the small faux kidney grilles. There are no coffin grilles in sight.

Similarly, the rear end is radically different than the current six-cylinder model, and thankfully, does not appear as short and stumpy as the weird rear of BMW’s recently unveiled Vision Driving Experience Concept.

Heavyweight Status Confirmed

A second prototype was also spotted, this time fitted with a set of 20-inch Michelin Pilot Sport S 5 tires, sized at 295/35. More interestingly, our photographers also managed to capture a shot of the door badge displaying the car’s VIN and preliminary weight figures.

Four numbers were listed: 2,675 kg (5,897 lbs), 4,475 kg (9,865 lbs), 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs), and 1,475 kg (3,252 lbs). The first figure, 2,675 kg (5,897 lbs), appears to represent the gross vehicle weight or the total allowable weight of the car, including its own mass, passengers, cargo, and fluids. The second figure, 4,475 kg (9,865 lbs), likely refers to the gross combined weight when towing a trailer. The final two numbers specify the maximum axle loads: 1,250 kg (2,756 lbs) at the front and 1,475 kg (3,252 lbs) at the rear.

The number that stands out is the preliminary gross weight of 2,675 kg (5,897 lbs), and how that stacks up against the current ICE-powered M3 Sedan. According to BMW’s spec sheet, the base M3 has a curb weight of 1,780 kg (3,924 lbs) and a maximum permissible weight (presumably equivalent to gross weight) of 2,210 kg (4,872 lbs).

More: The 2025 BMW M5 Weighs 1,000 Lbs More Than Its Predecessor, Is Heavier Than Many F-150s!

That would make the electric M3 prototype at least 465 kg (1,025 lbs) heavier than its gas-powered counterpart, but somewhat surprisingly, possibly lighter than the ICE M5, which has a maximum permissible weight of 2,950 kg (6,504 lbs) and a curb weight of 2,510 kg (5,534 lbs).

However, it’s worth pointing out that the ICE model’s gross weight includes a full tank of fuel and various fluids not needed in an EV. For reference, the ICE M3 also has maximum axle load ratings of 1,080 kg (2,381 lbs) at the front and 1,180 kg (2,601 lbs) at the rear.

The interior of this car was also snapped. However, it has been fitted with several temporary parts, including two displays that won’t make it to the production model. Perhaps the only part visible on this prototype that could make it to production is the intriguing steering wheel.

BMW hasn’t officially announced a launch date, but according to a report, production is expected to begin in March 2027 and continue through October 2034. For now, only a sedan is mentioned, though rumors of a Touring version continue to circulate.

Baldauf

BMW’s upcoming all-electric 3-Series, known as the i3 (no relation to the oddball 2013 hatchback of the same name), is set to arrive next year. New insider information hints that the lineup will be broader than expected, with several variants in the pipeline. Among them is the flagship iM3, a high-performance electric M3 that could pack over 700 horsepower.

While some automakers have been forced to rethink their EV strategy, BMW is going all-in. Starting with the iM3, it will reportedly begin production in March 2027, continuing through October 2034. This timeline comes from BimmerPost user ‘ynguldyn‘, a well-known BMW insider with a solid track record for accurate leaks.

Unlike the current gas-powered M3, which is offered in several different guises, including the base model, the M3 Performance, the first-ever M3 Touring, and the M3 CS, just a single version of the iM3 has been confirmed at this stage.

Read: BMW Vision Vehicle Is Our Best Look Yet At The iM3 Neue Klasse

Unfortunately, powertrain details remain a mystery and may not be known until a few months the car is launched. It’s been suggested that it could have as many as four electric motors, allowing for the use of complex torque vectoring.

The iM3 will also be one of BMW’s first production models to use its new natural fiber material. Announced last week, the natural fiber composite has been developed alongside a Swiss firm and is derived from flax seeds. It’s designed to be just as strong as carbon fiber, but with 40% fewer CO2 emissions required for its manufacture. It could be used on the car’s bucket seats and other trims. There will also be a head-up display as standard and a panoramic sunroof.

What About The Non-M i3s?

Beyond the iM3, the standard i3 lineup is expected to enter production in July 2026, running alongside the flagship until October 2034. Several versions are reportedly on the table, including i3 20, 40, 40 xDrive, 50, 50 xDrive, and the M60 xDrive. The M60 model is scheduled to arrive in March 2027.

Technical specifications remain under wraps, but key features could include similar multi-function seats from the 5-Series, a panoramic glass sunroof as standard, optional highway driving assistant, and a choice of 19-, 20-, and 21-inch wheels. The M60 xDrive will also sport an adaptive M suspension, M brakes, an M steering wheel, and other sporty features.

BMW’s Neue Klasse 3-series sedan is just around the corner, but barrelling up to the next curve down the road, and coming in hot, is its M3 brother. The M3 will be available with both electric and ICE power, and our spy photo team has has papped the EV (possibly named the iM3, following a recent BMW trademark) wearing its fat production fenders and no distracting M-color camouflage for the first time.

Although we’ve seen electric M3 test cars before, they’ve always been fitted with riveted arch extensions or fender graphics that make it hard to see what the shape of the rear quarter panels. But now we get to see the true contours of the real fenders that will add more than 3 inches (76 mm) of girth versus a stock i330 sedan.

Related: BMW M Knows You Don’t Like EVs But They’re Making Them Anyway

The extra width of the front fenders is fairly subtle, though combined with the suspension drop gives the M3 a much lower, wider and meaner look than the i330 prototypes we’ve seen. But there’s no missing the rear-end makeover. Those new swollen fenders are huge, meaning the charging flap on the nearside rear quarter lies almost at 45 degrees.

How do we know this is the electric M3? There’s the lack of tailpipes, of course – we see a diffuser for the first time on a prototype – but that’s not the only clue. Electric versions of the Neue Klasse 3-series, including the M3, have a much shorter gap between the front door and front wheel arch opening, a more sloping windshield and a forward-angled window post in the middle of the rear door. On combustion-powered NK Threes, which get an updated version of today’s 3-series’ CLAR platform, rather than the Neue Klasse architecture, that window post is vertical.

Though this M3 prototype gives us a look at the production fenders, it’s still keeping plenty of secrets – it won’t be launched for at least 18 months, after all. The front and rear bumpers remain literally under wraps and we’re yet to see the final design for the front and rear lights. 

But one shot showing a glimpse of the interior through the passenger window confirms the presence of the same Panoramic iDrive centrally-mounted tablet touchscreen and full-width head-up display at the base of the windshield that BMW showcased at CES in Las Vegas at the beginning of 2025.

Under the skin the electric M3 will have as many as four electric motors delivering just over 700 hp (710 PS) in standard form, while the ICE version will get a mild-hybrid six-cylinder engine.

Credit: SHProshots

Many car manufacturers are learning that it’s easier to convince someone shopping for an affordable and efficient car to opt for an EV than it is to persuade a diehard car enthusiast to buy a car that utilizes electrification, let alone a full EV.

This shift presents a unique challenge for enthusiast brands like BMW’s M division, but the company is confident it will continue to deliver the right products for its loyal customer base as the industry makes the inevitable switch to electrification.

Read: BMW’s Next M3 Will Offer New Type Of Gas Engine And EV

If BMW M can learn anything from the missteps of arch-rival Mercedes-AMG with the four-cylinder hybrid C 63 it’s that enthusiasts know what they want and, in this case, want that familiar sound and rev building they know and love when they’re behind the wheel of a sportcar. BMW M vice president Sylvia Neubauer acknowledged this is a challenge shortly after the M5 morphed into a plug-in hybrid, and it started working on M’s first fully-fledged EV.

“It’s been a challenge to keep this up,” she told Top Gear. “If you look at our following, which mostly consists of enthusiasts, they aren’t the most natural types to go electric”, Neubauer said.

“But I think we should not describe this target group as the only target group, because we are seeing a change already. Of course, the enthusiasts are the core group, and it’s going to be harder to convince them to switch, but we will have the right product for them,” she added.

What M’s VP is saying is that the best way to keep its core customers and at the same time attract new ones interested in EVs is (obviously, but also costly) to offer options that appeal to both. Thus, this is exactly what it will do with the next-gen M3. In addition to developing a ICE model with an updated version of the inline-six found in the current G80, BMW will offer an all-electric version of its sports sedan, potentially dubbed the iM3.

Key technical specifications about these two models remain under wraps, but it’s reasonable to assume the next ICE-powered M3 will push horsepower deeper into the 500s. The electric version will likely pack a lot more grunt, as BMW has already revealed its quad-motor setup can support up to 1,341 hp, even though the electric M3 likely won’t ever get even remotely close to that number.

Nevertheless, most diehard petrolheads would happily trade a straight line performance for a much more engaging powertrain – besides, even the current combustion M3 is anything but lacking in power.

BMW has been teasing the i3 / 3-Series Neue Klasse for months and now they’re ready to talk about the next-generation M3. It will reportedly arrive within the next two years and be offered as an EV as well as an ICE-powered model.

This had been expected, but BMW’s Dr. Mike Reichelt recently confirmed the news to Top Gear. As he told the publication, “We’re … going to offer it with a new type of six-cylinder engine, because we understand it may be early for some committed M fans to make the switch.” However, he said they’re “convinced the fully-electric M3 is going to hit new heights and reach new target groups, because it’ll behave completely differently.”

More: BMW Vision Vehicle Is Our Best Look Yet At The iM3 Neue Klasse

BMW’s Neue Klasse boss went on to say both the electric and ICE-powered M3 will have the “same design and digital features.” However, they won’t be all about 0-60 mph (0-96 km/h) times.

Quite the opposite as the company is focused on driving dynamics and this is where their Heart of Joy comes into play. While the name sounds like a dumb marketing gimmick, BMW has previously described the system as a control unit that manages the powertrain, brakes, steering, and recuperation system. That doesn’t sound too remarkable, but the Heart of Joy processes information ten times faster than previous systems.

This promises to deliver a “whole new level of speed and precision” as well as a more symbiotic relationship between the various components. Speaking of which, the interaction between the powertrain, brakes, and energy recuperation system means drivers won’t need to apply the brakes in most situations. This promises to help increase efficiency by up to 25%.

Getting back to the interview, Reichelt said you’ll be able to “go into a bend with a certain steering angle and don’t need to make corrections mid-corner.” This, of course, could be a good or bad thing depending on how ‘pure’ you like your driving experience.