The next-gen BMW M3 is still a while away, especially when the eight-generation 3 Series – of which the M3 will be based on – has not even been unveiled yet. But if new leaks from BimmerPost forums user “ynguldyn” – who has been reliable in the past – are to be believed, we now have our first tidbit of info about the upcoming fully electric performance 3-er, including its name: BMW iM3.
First reported by BMWBlog, the insider says that the upcoming EV BMW iM3 – supposedly code-named ZA0 – will enter production in March 2027, less than a year after the standard BMW i3 enters production.
No photos available just yet, but as you’d expect, it’ll still be based on the upcoming BMW i3’s design – which itself should be inspired heavily by the BMW Vision Neue Klasse concept – but decked out lavishly with M-specific goodies to give it a more aggressive appearance.
The leaker suggests that the electric M3 will get M-specific headlights, M-specific lightweight 20-inch wheels (with options for forged wheels and a staggered setup), and carbon ceramic brakes available as an option.
The iM3 will also heavily feature BMW’s newly developed natural fibre composites in place of carbon fibre, which are made from flax and developed in collaboration with Bcomp, a clean-tech company from Switzerland. It seems like we’re soon reaching a time when plant-based cars exist, just like meat replacement, but we digress.
The same flax-based material will also be applied to the interior, and notably be used in the construction of the optional bucket seats. Otherwise, expect your usual M design trims and seatbelts, plus a head-up display as standard.
Weirdly enough, the leaker says that panoramic sunroof from the regular i3 will remain on the iM3, with no lighter weight option – although that probably won’t be too much of an issue here, since the batteries under the floor will drop the car’s centre of gravity significantly.
As announced previously, the Neue Klasse line up of vehicles will be underpinned by the sixth-generation BMW eDrive powertrain, featuring an 800V architecture and cylindrical battery cells with higher energy density that translates to increased range and charging speeds.
According to BMW, this will allow the car to regain 299 km of range with just a 10-minute recharge. Recently, the company has revealed details of the upcoming BMW iX3, which is based on the same platform and supports 400 kW DC charging.
Future models based on the Gen6 platform are expected to have a range up to 900 km, with the BMW iX3 having a WLTP-rated range of 800 km. The company even states that the least efficient models are projected to achieve a range of 600 km, a figure that the upcoming BMW iM3 could potentially achieve.
Other new technology slated to feature on the sixth-generation eDrive powertrain includes BMW’s Heart of Joy control unit. The in-house developed control unit features four “Super-brains” (yes, that’s what it’s really called) combined to create a single high-performance computer.
To test this control unit, BMW has created the BMW Vision Driving Experience that packs a whopping 18,000 Nm of torque for the control unit to manage all driving functions, which include acceleration, regenerative braking, and steering.
The BMW iM3, with its advanced powertrain and plant-based fibre composites, will definitely be ushering in a new era for BMW M – and unlike the “romantics” crying about the demise of tailpipes, we can’t wait to see what the future holds for the brand.
ALSO READ: BMW’s first Neue Klasse model is coming to life with more details revealed from upcoming iX3
