The upcoming 2028 BMW M3 EV sports sedan represents BMW's biggest attempt to woo electric-car 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 M3 EV will coexist with a gasoline-powered M3, which should arrive in showrooms ahead of the electric model.
Like the i3 and BMW's other Neue Klasse models, the M3 EV 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.
Expert Tip: If you can't wait for the M3 EV 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.
View Price on AmazonEverything. Details are scarce, but we know the M3 will ride atop BMW's new EV platform. Production is expected to begin sometime in 2027. The M3 EV utilizes BMW's "Heart of Joy" control unit and software, which handles the drivetrain, braking, charging, regeneration, and steering functions.
The M3 EV will be powered by four electric motors, producing over 600 horsepower in its most basic form and potentially cresting the 1,000-horsepower mark in a range-topping CS trim. The M division has been experimenting with ways to ensure the M3 EV retains a performance advantage over its rivals. It's also known that BMW is at work on its next-generation electric motors.
Inside, the M3 EV 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.
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
