What Makes the M3 Such a Legend? The BMW M3 is the true definition of a hero car. It’s been around for nearly 40 years and in that time, its recipe has changed. Where its bigger brother, the M5 has always consistently been a sports saloon from the get go, the M3’s life began in a very different field, touring car racing. The original E30 was designed as a homologation special to meet the requirements of Group A Touring rules, which required a total of 5,000 cars to be built. With its M-derived 197 horsepower S14 4-cylinder, lightweight body and bespoke brake callipers, this legend quickly made its dominance, particularly in the 1987 Tour de Course. However, when its successor the E36 was released in 1992, it introduced two staples that have since become the status quo for the M3. The use of a straight six engine and the option to have four doors. Its status quo changed from an uncouth road racer into an all-round sports saloon. Currently, the M3 is in its sixth generation guise, the G80 and is exclusively offered as a four-door saloon (whilst the M4 is the two-door variant). Yet despite its status quo falling far from its origins and its questionable styling, there’s no denying, that this new M3 is undoubtedly one of the best cars in the world right now. With 523 horsepower generated from its twin-turbo straight six, the most sophisticated all-wheel-drive system on a road car, this new variant will sprint from 0-62mph in 3.4 seconds and max at 190mph. However,, like all great BMW M Cars, it glides from corner to corner on what feels like a wave of telepathy and poise and pit-of-the-stomach excitement. But like all great M cars, when you’ve finished clowning around, it becomes a subdued and comfortable saloon. It will easily seat 5 and the boot is enormous, even more so if you tick the touring option. It is all things to all men, the world’s ultimate performance saloon, and the best car in the world right now. Spy shots show Improved Design So we’ve known for a while that the G80 will likely be the last M3 available with pure-petrol power and that its replacement will be fully electric. And now spy shots have revealed what this new EV-M3 will be like. Cause no doubt, it will be another status quo change in the M3’s 40-year-old tenure. Well to start with, there’s no denying this new M3 even in spy shot form looks a lot better than the rather bold G80. Its design is inspired by the Vision Neue Klasse concept enhanced by the aggressive styling elements, including flared wheel arches, larger bumpers, and M-specific wheels. This gives that M-muscle look we all know and love. In addition, whilst it was not shown, this new M3 is expected to introduce an all-new cockpit. With a futuristic head-up display that spans the base of the windshield and a sleek touch-screen interface. However design is not really what matters in an M3, the drive does, and there’s no denying that going electric has certainly raised some red flags. Engineering and Performance At the heart of the new EV-M3 is a state-of-the-art quad-motor powertrain, which BMW’s engineers say will deliver up to 700 horsepower. Almost 200 more than the G80. In addition, the quad power train has been set up to ensure each motor powers a wheel individually to enable precise torque distribution. Read More Legendary BMW M3 is now All-Electric It’s similar to the system seen in the Rimac Nevera hypercar, but BMW’s engineers have also leveraged their "Heart of Joy" ECU, a centralized control unit that optimises performance through inputs from the driver and vehicle systems. In addition, the new EV-M3 will be built on the Neue Klasse platform, BMW’s dedicated architecture for electric vehicles. This platform incorporates next-generation battery technology with enhanced energy density, improved heat management, and faster charging capabilities. These advancements will potentially assist the M3 to deliver on its two most core traits. Consistent performance on track and extended range for everyday use. The Controversial Hard Truth All of this sounds like a dream like BMW’s engineers are going all it to ensure the EV-M3 lives up to the spirit of the M3 whilst looking to the future. However there’s one factor, BMW have not yet stated, weight. The G80 is already a fairly hefty car at 1.8 tonnes, but this new EV-M3, expects it to be over 2.2 tonnes. No doubt it’s going to be quite the fatty and BMW’s engineers will certainly have to reinvent the wheel to ensure this new car truly matches the old M3’s delicacy and balance. Even with their "Heart of Joy" ECU, and individual wheel quad power train, one can’t ignore the factors of hefty weight. But there’s another issue two. Something I experienced, when driving the Ferrari 296. These new EVs and hybrids may well match try and authenticate the dynamic feeling of their petrol-powered equivalents. But as a petrolhead, I can tell the differences. These new cars feel artificial, like laptops or AI, they don’t exactly feel genuine. And a M car with artificial handling is a bit like a beach with no sun, it ruins everything. But the biggest problem will undoubtedly be the demand. Worldwide, EVs make up a small percentage of new car sales and most last year have suffered tremendous losses. And given the new M3 will cost north of $110,000, it’s likely demand will be low. Potential Petrol Option: Not All Hope is Lost, Yet However, it’s worth noting that BMW’s CEO Frank Van Meel has stated that the new M3 will be offered with an alternative to its quad-motor EV setup. Alongside the EV M3 will be another variant which will feature an updated variant of the G80s 3.0l twin-turbo straight six. Sounds great, however, it may not be the case One has to admire BMW’s decision to keep the M3 petrol-powered, which shows that unlike AMG or RS BMW understands the importance of ICEs in their M cars. It’s worth noting this use of ICE will be exclusive to the M3, the next 4 series is expected to be a full-EV and subsequently so will the M4. Quite exciting knowing the G80 won’t be the last M car. Read More E30 to G80 — BMW Brings All M3 Generations in New Video However, BMW have not confirmed whether this ICE M3 will be hybrid or pure-petrol. I say all this too after BMW’s latest M car, the new hybrid-powered G90 M5 has been slated by motoring car journalists and petrolheads alike, like most hybrid performance saloons. So if this ICE M3 is a hybrid, chances are it won’t be very popular. There’s another issue, Van Meel has hinted the petrol-powered M3 will not be available in all regions. Europe and the UK for instance have ever-growing stricter emission regulations and BMW are aware that likely these countries will reject the ICE M3. A shame given it's these continents where the M3 made its mark. However, it's likely nations like the UAE will receive this ICE M3 alongside its EV Twin. We at F1rstMotors promise a thorough comparison of both variants when the next generation M3 releases in 2027 or 2028. An Uncertain Future At present the future for the M3 looks bleak. There’s no denying BMW are putting their best efforts forward but the question remains, is going EV right for the M3? Or like the G90 will it kill off all love for this legendary car? Even the ICE version remains controversial, but it’s more a simple case to understand. If it’s purely petrol-powered, it will be brilliant, but if it’s a hybrid, well the slating of the G90 M5 and many high-performance hybrid saloons speaks volumes. But until then, let’s revel in the fact we still have the G80 M3 with us. And let’s enjoy its tyre-smoking, sensible, bonkers, all-round brilliant self while we still can. Because these spy shots indicate, the best car in the world right now, won’t last for long. Source: EVO
