BMW seems to be on a mission to cash in on the growing appetite for ridiculously expensive, limited-edition cars with a new halo model aimed at its performance division. And, it seems BMW M is finally tuning in to the demands of fans, who have long been begging for a modern version of the M1, blending the exotic appeal of the past with a contemporary twist.

More: BMW Scrapped A 95% Finished Supercar For The XM SUV

The news follows the announcement that the BMW Skytop concept from last year’s Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este will soon enter production, with only 50 units expected and a rumored price tag of $500k. The success of this project has inspired BMW to roll out more similarly bespoke models, though this time, they’ll carry the M emblem.

A Future of Ultra-Limited Editions

Sylvia Neubauer, BMW M’s Vice President of customers, brand, and sales, shared some insight into the company’s future direction with AutoExpress: “BMW’s strategy is to have a series of small-series additions that we offer to the markets. There will be something coming at Villa d’Este this year, and probably some future small-series editions with the ‘M’ designation.”

When asked if this could include a bespoke BMW M model inspired by the original M1, Neubauer stated:

“Definitely, such halo cars clearly position the brand. They make it very, very desirable. They have that positive spillover effect on the brand and on the product portfolio. You’re making a certain customer group very, very happy with these dream cars. Even those that cannot afford the car admire the brand. This will be part of our future road map as well.”

A New M1, Sort of?

Several months ago, reports surfaced about BMW having worked on a spiritual successor to the M1, possibly with a plug-in hybrid powertrain. The I16 project was allegedly 95% ready when it was scrapped in favor of the controversial XM SUV. Other reports suggest that plans for a fully electric supercar were also cancelled after it reached the clay model stage.

More: Does BMW’s Electric M3 Concept Look Any Better Without Camo?

While we still don’t know if the upcoming bespoke BMW M car will have any ties to these canceled projects, the sighting of the Neue Klasse EV Coupe in testing suggests something special could be on the horizon. If the camouflaged prototype’s dramatic design is paired with the performance capabilities of BMW’s next-gen electric powertrain, we might just be looking at a true M1 successor, albeit one with a very different powertrain under the hood.

Baldauf

Competing with Porsche?

Neubauer was also asked whether the new model could compete with the Porsche 911, to which she replied: “That market obviously is an interesting market. But we also know that Porsche customers are very, very loyal to their brand. So if we do it, we definitely need to do it spot on—100 percent.”

This doesn’t exactly provide a definitive answer about the car’s design or character, but Neubauer did confirm that BMW M is “internally” working on a “dream car.” When asked about its launch timing, Neubauer added, “Let’s wait for the right time.”

With all these pieces falling into place, it’s clear that BMW M has something big on the way. Whether it’s an M1 revival, a fully electric supercar, or something else entirely, one thing is for sure: The wait will likely be worth it.

BMW has unveiled a new iteration of its Vision Driving Experience concept for the Shanghai Auto Show, and while it’s not officially an electric M3, it’s about as close as we’re going to get for now. The study, which hints at the future of performance EVs, has shed its camouflage wrap and revealed more of the design language that will define BMW’s Neue Klasse lineup.

More: BMW’s Electric M3 Concept Getting Roasted On Social Media

The Vision Driving Experience was first introduced in February, but until now, it was hidden behind a rather uninspired camouflage livery. Now, BMW has taken the wraps off and gone for a “special luminescent paint.” The paint uses light-sensitive pigments that recharge in daylight and glow in the dark. To add to the visual drama, a special film on the rear bodywork creates a yellowish gradient under UV light.

A Glimpse of the Future (and Some Colorful Wheels)

Unsurprisingly, the electric M3—oops, I mean the Vision Driving Experience—shares a lot of design elements with the Vision Neue Klasse concept from 2023, albeit with beefed-up bumpers. Highlights include active aerodynamics, and yes, wheels that illuminate in different colors. These rims are practically a mood ring for your car: they turn green when you accelerate, blue when recovering energy, and orange when braking.

Test drivers Jens Klingmann and Elias Houndtonji took the wheel of the Vision Driving Experience during BMW’s Brand Night, showing off the car’s performance under the cover of darkness. They put the quad-motor powertrain and advanced torque-vectoring system to the test, showcasing the car’s handling on the move.

BMW

Torque Numbers That Raise Questions

Now, let’s talk torque. BMW claims the electric powertrain delivers a staggering 13,269 lb-ft (17,990 Nm) of torque. Yes, you read that correctly, but it’s almost certain that it measured at the wheels, not the crankshaft, because unless the laws of physics have been rewritten, that number is bonkers. Regardless, the “Heart of Joy” super brain controls pretty much everything, from driving dynamics to braking, energy recuperation, and steering.

More: BMW’s New EVs Come With 43 Layers Of Synthetic Vroom And Zero Shame

BMW has made it clear that the Vision Driving Experience concept “was designed for development purposes only and is not intended for series production.” However, the Neue Klasse design will gradually make its way across BMW’s entire lineup, both electric and internal combustion. Likewise, the “Heart of Joy” super brain will be integrated into future EVs, including those from the BMW M division, so you can expect some of that high-tech wizardry to trickle down to future performance models.

New Models and the iX3

BMW has said it plans to launch over 40 new and updated models by 2027. The first of these, the fully electric iX3, will begin production at the Debrecen plant in Hungary by the end of 2025. This SUV will be followed by a sedan in 2026, which is expected to carry the i3 name and serve as an electric alternative to the BMW 3 Series. So, if you’ve been hoping for an electrified 3 Series, it looks like your wish is about to come true.

The electric sedan will likely look most similar to the original Vision Neue Klasse concept, with the BMW M version drawing heavy inspiration from the Vision Driving Experience seen here.

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Back in February, BMW pulled the curtain back on its all-electric Vision Driving Experience study, giving us a conceptual peek at what’s coming with the first M-branded Neu Klasse EV. The German brand’s design direction has faced its fair share of criticism in recent years, and while they’re trying to embrace a fresh new look, it seems not everyone is onboard with their latest vision.

Earlier this week, BMW published images of the Vision Driving Experience on its Instagram page, and the reception has not been all positive. A look through the comments shows that people have taken particular issue with the rear-end design of the EV, and we can’t blame them.

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

We think BMW has done a nice job with the front-end design of its Neue Klasse concepts, ditching the hideous kidney grilles found on several existing models in favor of slimmer grilles that are joined seamlessly with the sharp LED headlights. However, the rear is a different story.

While the front of the concept sits quite low, as a sports sedan should, the rear end is much more upright and sits far higher than it needs to. The taillights are also positioned at the very top of the tailgate and look out of place.

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People haven’t held back in voicing their opinion. “What the hell is this rear view,” one comment with over 6,500 likes reads. “Y’all need to fire your designer,” a user says, while another with over 3,000 likes says, “Tf are those rear lights.”

One comment is a meme showing a large pile of excrement, while another says, “I will pay you a billion pounds not to make this.” A popular fitness influencer with 2.7 million followers also left a comment, saying “Front is smooth but what the *** is that rear.”

Since the piece went live, there have been a few positive comments sprinkled in, but they’re pretty much an afterthought, with likes numbering in the single digits. Safe to say, most people aren’t exactly lining up to praise this design.

So, what do you think – does BMW need to go back to the drawing board, or are we just nitpicking? In any case, at this point, the concept‘s rear end might be the least of the brand’s worries when it comes to public opinion.

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Last month, BMW introduced the Neue Klasse Vision vehicle to us — a preview of what to expect tech-wise from the German brand’s upcoming range of new-generation EVs. One of the headlining features of the Vision vehicle’s tech was the “Heart of Joy” superbrain that controlled how its future EVs drive and feel.

Fast forward to now, and BMW has unveiled three additional control units for the upcoming iX3, which was confirmed today for a September debut. These will all be part of a whole new “digital nervous system” set to power every Neue Klasse model. Along with the Heart of Joy, one superbrain will be dedicated to autonomous driving, another will manage BMW’s Panoramic iDrive (aka, infotainment), and a third will manage the remaining ancillary functions, such as lighting and climate control.

See: 2026 BMW iX3 Neue Klasse Renders Patents Into Reality

To make this happen, BMW has crammed an insanely powerful central computing system into their next-gen cars, claiming it’s 20 times more powerful than what’s in their current lineup. They’ve also put considerable thought into the wiring that connects these digital masterminds.

Enter their “zonal wiring harness architecture”, essentially a fancy way of saying they’ve simplified the car’s internal wiring by dividing it into four zones: front, center, rear, and roof. The result? A reduction of 600 meters of wiring and a 30% savings in weight. Less bulk, more efficiency.

Smarter Power Management

In addition to beefed-up computing, BMW is also replacing 150 traditional fuses with something called digital ‘smart e-fuses.’ These aren’t just fancy circuit breakers; they actively manage power distribution to improve energy use by 20%. In other words, your BMW will be smarter about when and where it uses power — whether it’s driving, parked, or charging. Welcome to the world of intelligent energy management.

On top of that, BMW is going all-in on over-the-air software updates. With more than 1,000 software modules, 20GB of software, and a staggering 500 million lines of code, future BMWs will essentially be software-defined vehicles. That means no more waiting for the dealership to install the latest updates; your car will simply upgrade itself.

Looking ahead, BMW’s long-term strategy is to keep developing in-house where it matters — like driving dynamics and infotainment — but partner with top-tier software companies for less brand-defining tech. They’ve also built an in-house software development powerhouse with over 10,000 engineers, ensuring they stay ahead of the game.