The upcoming BMW iM3 sports sedan represents BMW's biggest attempt to woo EV buyers to date. The maker's first inception-to-showroom production electric M car carries styling derived from the standard i3, but with M-specific fender bulges, aero enhancements, and racier-looking exterior lighting elements. BMW says the iM3 will coexist with a gasoline-powered M3, which should arrive in showrooms ahead of the electric iM3.
Like the i3 and BMW's other Neue Klasse models, the iM3 features an 800-volt architecture and batteries that offer 20 percent higher energy density than past EVs. BMW M vehicles have cultivated a devoted following for their sublime performance, and it stands to reason that BMW wouldn't risk tainting that legacy when the power comes from electrons instead of gasoline.
View Price on AmazonExpert Tip: If you can't wait for the iM3 to launch before deciding on your next BMW sports sedan, consider the outgoing i4, which is one of our favorite EVs and can be had with a 592-hp dual-motor powertrain. Everything. Details are scarce, but we know the iM3 will ride atop BMW's new EV platform. Production is expected to begin sometime in 2027.
Car and Driver calculates your car's value in three free and easy steps - using the same Black Book data dealers use to appraise vehicles. Details are still TBD, but we do know that the iM3 will be powered by four electric motors. The M division has been experimenting with ways to ensure the iM3 retains a performance advantage over its rivals. It's also known that BMW is at work on its next-generation electric motors.
It's a good bet the iM3 will pack over 600 horsepower in its most basic form and could crest the 1000-horsepower mark in a range-topping CS trim. The iM3 utilizes BMW's "Heart of Joy" control unit and software, which handles the drivetrain, braking, charging, regeneration, and steering functions. We'll update this section as soon as details permit.
First Row: Like the i3, the iM3 features BMW's latest digital dashboard, which features a trapezoidal infotainment display. The concept car pictured here shows deeply bucketed performance seats with five-point safety harnesses, but expect normal chairs and seatbelts on the production model. The concept vehicle also showed a cloth trim piece on the dashboard with multi-colored ambient backlighting.
Second Row: A pair of bucket seats was shown in the concept vehicle, although we think a three-across bench will at least be offered on the production iM3. Cargo Capacity: We aren't sure about the iM3's cargo capacity yet, but we expect to see storage in both the trunk and the front trunk.
The touchscreen offers a high level of customization and features a matrix backlight for easy visibility in all conditions. BMW's new Panoramic Vision system projects crucial information onto the lower part of the windshield, stretching from A-pillar to A-pillar. Logically, key driving information is displayed on the left for the driver, while central and right-hand areas of the display can be personalized and are visible to all occupants.
Up to six widgets can be moved from the infotainment screen to the Panoramic Vision system by drag and drop, and further customization of both screens can be manipulated by buttons on the steering wheel. A head-up display is available, and smartphones and smartwatches from all leading manufacturers can be programmed to operate as the vehicle key.
Source: caranddriver.com
