Caught on Camera: BMW's Inaugural Electric M Model

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      If you haven’t heard, the new iX3 is a major development for BMW. When I covered its unveiling a few months ago, I termed it “the blueprint for BMW’s future.” I still stand by that statement, as it represents the first Neue Klasse car, introducing not only new features but also a completely new method of vehicle production for the brand. While that might not fully captivate driving enthusiasts, the sighting of the iX3 M in testing might change that.

      Despite someone in the crowd possibly stating “nah,” let’s examine the car before forming an opinion. It was seen testing at the Nurburgring, which is already noteworthy. The first detail that grabs my attention from the side view is the large drilled brake rotors behind the five-spoke wheels. In addition, I appreciate the straightforward design of those wheels fitted with wide Michelin Pilot Sport S tires; they might be on the larger side, but that's to be expected. Nonetheless, part of me is skeptical about whether these will go into production.

      There are camouflaged air vents on the hood that pique my curiosity, especially since this vehicle… lacks an engine. The standard non-M iX3 only has a frunk there. These vents might assist in cooling the front electric motor, alongside the dual cutouts on the lower fascia.

      The rear bumper sports a sharp and sporty design, but from what I can see, there isn’t a unique diffuser. I suspect BMW will explore various designs to enhance the aerodynamics of the iX3 M. Ultimately, it remains a crossover, and I doubt that many purchasers will take it to the Nurburgring themselves. There’s also a significant chance they won’t understand what you mean by its “Heart of Joy” supercomputer; thankfully, you can direct them to this blog post.

      Lastly, there’s currently no information on the power output of the battery-powered M variant. The standard iX3 50 xDrive produces 470 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque, so we can reasonably expect more than that. Previous reports suggest that the Neue Klasse architecture could handle up to 700 hp for the next-gen M3, but that remains unconfirmed and there's no indication that this vehicle will have the same level of torque.

      We’ll have to wait some time before this vehicle is launched, as it’s estimated to debut no earlier than 2026.

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