This is our first official look at the next-generation BMW M3 super-saloon – the pure-electric version no less, which the legendary M division is promising is “on the way to set new standards.”

The heavily camouflaged prototype, referred to as an ‘M HP BEV’, is clearly based on the Neue Klasse 3 Series that we spied recently and is arriving in 2026. But of course there are some differences, like wider wheelarches, which allow a wider track, plus deeper side skirts. 

The graphics around each wheel indicate this prototype is powered by a quad-motor powertrain, which BMW has been working on for some time. Such a system would be the obvious choice to differentiate the electric M3 from the standard 3 Series EV that’s likely to get single or dual-motor set-ups. 

The petrol-powered M3 won’t be killed off however. Auto Express understands a new M3 will sit alongside the all-electric model and Weber outlined that BMW has developed the current 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine to comply with Euro 7 emissions regulations. That means the combustion-engined M3’s lifespan will most likely overlap with the all-electric model arriving in 2027.

Speaking at the launch of the new 5 Series and i5 electric saloon earlier this year, and musing on whether BMW needs a halo model once a production saloon car based on the Neue Klasse platform goes on sale from 2025, Weber confirmed: “The next M3 will be fully battery electric – and will have ‘the heart of joy’ [referring to a new ECU package].

“This ECU control unit was designed for four independently operating electric motors up to one megawatt [1,341bhp] and therefore yes, it needs a lighthouse project,” says Weber. 

“In the future, when you talk about four electric motors for instance, you need the hand of god to be even stronger. Then you don’t just need the lateral and longitudinal dynamics from a chassis point of view [as with the M xDrive system], but also the engine. It has to be one centralised logic because on track you want to decelerate at up to 1G or more, but at the same time you want to recuperate and have the right stability,” van Meel added.

“It doesn’t matter if I do ABS braking or brake with the motors, because the motors are faster than the hydraulics anyway, but it is a prerequisite for going into a new era with M and electric high-performance vehicles. It means you can drive this car in a way you never have before.”

While van Meel outlined that the platform has up to one megawatt of power at its disposal, it’s unlikely the next M3 model will feature this level of power. In fact, the M boss believes that it’s not all about power and that vehicle dynamics will define how electric M cars drive in the future, differentiating BMW’s products from its rivals. 

Driver interaction will be key to future M division EVs as well, van Meel believes. Asked if the firm would look to simulate gearchanges to boost involvement, the exec said: “If you have just one gear and you have no feedback at all, you don’t know how fast you are [going] and you cannot look down at the speed. It’s a little bit like a motorcycle, third gear and you hear the revs. So actually you do know if you’re doing one hundred and thirty, a hundred thirty five, and then you have the shifting lights that you can see from the corner of your eye. So you don’t need to look down. You always know how fast you are, and that’s missing if you have no acoustic feedback, also no haptic feedback. We are looking into different ways of giving you that feedback.”

The all-electric BMW iM3 won’t have the performance EV saloon market to itself. Not only is there the Tesla Model 3 Performance, Alfa Romeo is also working on an electric Giulia (possibly with a hot Quadrifoglio version) and we wouldn’t be surprised if AMG makes a hot version of the next-generation Mercedes CLA saloon. A production version of the Lexus LF-ZC concept is also due in the next few years.