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<\/p>\n\n First electric M3 will keep the combustion car’s simple name and even look just like it despite riding on totally different platform <\/p>\n
https:\/\/www.carscoops.com\/author\/chris-chilton-cc\/
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by Chris Chilton<\/a><\/p>\n 1 hour ago<\/p>\n Electric M3 keeps iconic name, M boss Frank van Meel revealed.<\/p>\n It could have been called iM3 if it followed BMW<\/a>\u2019s current EV logic.<\/p>\n Quad-motor M3 EV will sell alongside visually similar inline-six sedan.<\/p>\n BMW has finally settled one of the biggest questions surrounding its upcoming electric performance sedan. Contrary to some speculation, the brand\u2019s first battery-powered M3 won\u2019t wear an iM3 badge. Instead, it\u2019ll simply be called M3<\/a>.<\/p>\n The decision was confirmed by BMW M boss Frank van Meel during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, according to Auto Express. By keeping the legendary nameplate, BMW<\/a> is signaling that its electric performance sedan isn\u2019t being positioned as a separate branch of the family. Instead, it\u2019ll sit alongside the next-generation combustion-powered M3 as an equal successor to the badge\u2019s long history.<\/p>\n Related: BMW\u2019s New M350 Wears i3 Looks Over A Straight-Six That Could Clear 400 HP<\/a><\/p>\n EVs often arrive with distinct names to help separate them from their combustion counterparts. And if the electric M3 adopted the naming logic applied to electric versions of the non-M 3-series, 5-series and countless other BMWs, it could have been called iM3.<\/p>\n BMW, however, appears confident that what defines an M3 goes beyond its power source. The electric<\/a> model is expected to be the most powerful M3 ever produced. BMW\u2019s new four-motor drivetrain architecture can in theory support outputs approaching 1,341 hp (1,360 PS \/ 1 MW), though production versions are expected to generate considerably less. But even a modest output like 700 hp (710 PS \/ 522 kW) for the base car would see it still comfortably eclipse every previous M3.<\/p>\n Not Just About The Power<\/p>\n
The M engineers appear focused on more than headline figures, anyway. Christian Karg, head of vehicle dynamics for BMW Group, told Auto Express<\/a> that \u201cIt\u2019s not about the horsepower. That\u2019s a part of the game, but the preciseness of M cars, that\u2019s what\u2019s unique.\u201d<\/p>\n The upcoming sedan\u2019s styling has already been previewed by the dramatic M Concept Neue Klasse<\/a> (see gallery above), that debuted at Le Mans in June, and was wheeled out again this month for an appearance at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.<\/p>\n Yellow DRLs An M Telltale?<\/p>\n The concept builds on the chiselled look of the stock i3<\/a> sedan revealed last year and on sale this fall. It\u2019s lower than the i3, has much wider fenders, a hood vent that has also been spied<\/a> on M3 prototypes (see below), yellow DRLs that could become an M hallmark, and a split rear trunk-lid spoiler and huge diffuser.<\/p>\n![\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/germany\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/P90643885_highRes_bmw-m-concept-neue-k-copy-1024x576.jpg\")
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