BMW is set to unveil a high-performance electric version of its i3 sedan—effectively the electric M3—next year. While the official name and full specifications are still under wraps, we know it will feature a quad-motor setup, with one motor powering each wheel. A BMW engineer has promised "performance levels you've never seen in a BMW M production car." And now, it seems the price tag won't be out of reach for current M3 buyers.
In an interview with Autocar, BMW M's sales chief, Sylvia Neubauer, confirmed that the gas-powered M3 and its electric counterpart "are in the same ballpark" regarding price. She emphasized that BMW M aims to offer customers a choice, stating, "there will be functional differences that lead to a different design in some areas of the car, but when you look at them, you will see that they are twins.”
Despite BMW's strategy to position these models as direct alternatives, they may appeal to different buyers. A traditional M3 enthusiast may not be considering an EV. However, BMW could sway some customers if the electric M3 is not only faster than the gas model but also delivers an equally thrilling driving experience, especially with its four electric motors and a rumored output of nearly 1,000 horsepower.
The electric model will undoubtedly be heavier than the gas-powered M3, but its instant torque and massive power will make it quicker off the line. The individual wheel control from the quad-motor setup will allow for sophisticated torque vectoring, promising incredible agility. To bridge the sensory gap, it will also feature an interior sound profile designed to mimic a gas-powered M car, aiming for a convincing impression of its internal combustion engine (ICE) sibling.
View Price on AmazonThis approach of using synthetic sounds to enhance the driving experience isn't new. We've seen other automakers try to make their performance EVs sound and feel like gas cars, complete with fake engine notes and simulated gear shifts. We found it surprisingly enjoyable in the Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, and a prototype of AMG's upcoming Porsche Taycan competitor offered a very convincing simulated V-8 soundtrack.
"When we talk about the BMW M3, it’s the M3 no matter the drivetrain. The driving experience must be true, and you decide if you want EV or ICE," Neubauer added. "Obviously, we will not convince 100% out of the petrolhead target group to buy an all-electric BMW M3. But out of 100 people that try it, we will be able to convince some. And for everybody else, we will still provide combustion engines.”
BMW M appears highly confident in the electric M3's ability to captivate driving enthusiasts. "It’s not only about acceleration and power, it’s about drivability, maneuverability, and that level of trust and connection between the driver, car, and road," Neubauer noted. "With a high-performance BEV, you need to be able to trust it every millisecond, and the car is so convincing.”
So, What Will It Cost?
For context, the current M3 Competition xDrive boasts 523 horsepower, all-wheel drive, and an official 0-to-60 mph time of 3.4 seconds, though independent tests have clocked it even faster. The electric M3 is expected to be a sub-3-second car. The M3 Competition xDrive currently starts at $89,950 in the U.S. With its replacement still at least two years away and likely to see a price increase, it's safe to estimate that the electric M3 could fall in the $90,000 to $100,000 range, depending on the final configuration.
Source: insideevs.com
