BMW M3 name to carry on into the electric era
The first electric version of the BMW M3 will be called… the M3, killing off speculation that it would adopt the iM3 moniker.
BMW has decided to lean into the heritage of the popular M3 nameplate when it launches the first electric version of the performance sedan, deciding to retain its name.
Speaking to Auto Express, BMW M CEO Frank Van Meel confirmed the electric M3 will simply be called the M3, though specific additional tags may be applied to denote its engine-less powertrain.
That extinguishes speculation that the electric model would be called the iM3, initially expected given the car upon which it’s based is the i3 – the electric equivalent of the 3 Series.
BMW has previously confirmed the petrol-powered M3 will remain on sale alongside the EV, with both new models to adopt similar designs, based on the Concept M Neue Klasse, revealed last month.
Reports have suggested the electric M3’s 800-volt, quad-motor platform will support power outputs of more than 750kW, meaning it’ll be far more potent than the petrol-powered M3.
Despite this, BMW executives have recently moved to quash concerns that it won’t live up to the M3 nameplate, with former BMW M head of customer, brand and sales, Sylvia Neubauer, last month telling BMW Blog the brand can’t understand the criticism.
“The haters, I cannot really understand, because in order to judge something, you should, first of all, experience it,” she said.
“And then decide whether you like it or not. Experience the car and after that they can decide whether they like it or not. And if they don’t like it, they can still go for the combustion-engine cars.”
Van Meel previously said the electric M3, like a growing list of performance EVs, will feature simulated gear shifts and fake engine noises in order to keep customers happy.
“It’s essential [gear simulations], so that you know how quick you are going,” Van Meel told Pistonheads.
"On the track with gears you know how quick you are going into each corner. Simulated ratios will help this be maintained in the electric car.
Jordan Mulach
“I won’t say we’re fully copying a gearbox [characteristics] as then we’d copy the negatives. We need to find the good things and then use those to enhance the driving experience.”
BMW has teased that the electric M3 will feature a “newly developed soundscape”, with a video previously uploaded to YouTube showing its team recording engine sounds from three recent performance models, which will likely be piped into the EV’s cabin.
These include the E92 M3 GTS (powered by a 4.4-litre V8 engine), the F82 M4 GTS (powered by a twin-turbo 3.0-litre straight-six engine), and the E63 M6 (powered by a 5.0-litre V10).
