2028 BMW M3 EV Spotted Appearing as Generic as Ever in Latest Spy Photos

      Stefan Baldauf / SB-Medien

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      BMW plans to retain its gasoline-powered M3 sport sedan for at least another generation, but that does not mean the company is halting the development of an all-electric version in the interim. Earlier this month, an M3 EV (possibly the iM3) was seen in public with production bodywork, and although it is still quite camouflaged, the fundamental shape and those wide fenders are unmistakably evident.

      While the body may resemble a conventional 3 Series, the Neue Klasse wheels reveal its electric foundation. BMW has experience in crafting sporty electric four-door models, but expectations for the M3 will be much greater than they have been for the i4 M50. Though the latter has enjoyed success and is indeed enjoyable to drive, it does not (and was not designed to) compete as a world-class performance sedan.

      To this end, BMW is anticipated to introduce a quad-motor powertrain to support its all-electric M lineup. The company showcased a prototype based on the i4 years ago, likely before fully committing to a Neue Klasse M3. This new platform will be engineered from the ground up to leverage next-generation electric technology. BMWBlog reports that we can look forward to a configuration delivering 700 horsepower.

      This marks a significant increase over the current gasoline-fed M3's output of around 500 horsepower (depending on the chosen variant, of course), but based on information from our sources regarding this prototype, the electric M3 could potentially weigh over 6,000 pounds, as indicated by the placard numbers.

      Let’s hope those figures represent gross weights, because otherwise, they would be quite excessive. The Tesla Model S Plaid, which is almost eight inches longer and four inches wider than the current M3, weighs around 4,800 pounds and boasts a three-motor system that generates more than 1,000 horsepower.

      We're also getting our first look at the interior of the electric M3, though it remains heavily camouflaged. The outline of some distinctly sculpted seats and the robust steering wheel typical of an M car are visible, while the rest of the interior is well-covered. Swipe or click to view the end of the gallery for those detailed shots, if you're interested.

      Do you know where some prototypes are being tested in the wild? Reach out to us at [email protected].