2028 BMW M3 EV Feels Perfectly Suited for the ’Ring | Carscoops

      The first electric M3 will be offered alongside a mild-hybrid six-cylinder variant that features very similar styling.

      BMW's 2028 electric M3 sedan has been spotted undergoing testing at the Nurburgring in Germany.

      Built on the Neue Klasse platform, it may feature four motors, delivering up to 700 hp, with the possibility of more.

      BMW will not be discontinuing the ICE M3; the current model will receive updates and will be sold alongside the electric version.

      Automakers frequently bring various prototypes to the Nurburgring, including SUVs and minivans, as the 12.8-mile (20.6 km) track is valuable for testing a vehicle’s durability and handling. However, certain models require rigorous testing at the Ring, and the 2028 BMW M3 EV is among them.

      Transitioning to electric for the M3 is significant, marking the largest change since BMW replaced the original lightweight four-cylinder E30 with the bulkier six-cylinder E36, which had more of a GT feel. Leaders at M know the M3 EV will be under intense scrutiny, placing M's reputation at stake.

      We will have to wait until next year, at the earliest, to determine the performance of the electric M3, but early indications are promising. The EV will be built on BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, which will debut with the iX3 SUV later this year, followed by the rollout to the 3-series in 2027 and the M3 the subsequent year.

      The M3 might also feature a four-motor electric drivetrain with up to 700 hp (710 PS), which is significantly less than the 1,341+ hp (1,360 PS / 1,000 kW) BMW previously suggested could be produced by a future performance EV, and far from the 1,527 hp (1,547 hp / 1,138 kW) captured by Xiaomi’s record-setting SU7 Ultra.

      Nevertheless, this power should feel sufficient in most situations, apart from the lengthy final straight at the Ring, where excessive power is always welcome. A Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, with its 641 hp (650 PS / 478 kW), leaves me feeling satisfied after driving.

      With the integration of torque vectoring capabilities and a new central control unit aligning the motors and chassis, the M3 EV is poised to be one of the most enjoyable electric vehicles available, regardless of its price and power. However, it will face tough competition from Alpine’s next A110 and the upcoming Porsche Cayman EV.

      If you're upset about BMW's shift to electric for the M3, rest assured that the ICE M3 will remain available for the foreseeable future. The current CLAR-platform model will receive Neue Klasse styling to closely match the EV, and its inline six engine will incorporate mild-hybrid support to enhance fuel efficiency and increase power beyond the current M3 CS's 543 hp (550 PS). Both versions will maintain the simple M3 branding, despite BMW having trademarked the iM3 name.