BMW Electric M3 and X3 M Prototypes Promise Fierce Pace

BMW’s electric future is no longer just a sketch on a design board. Fresh spy footage from Tenerife shows heavily camouflaged prototypes of the first full-fat electric M cars – a battery-powered M3 and the new X3 M – running development laps together. They share the stage with next-generation 3 Series saloons using petrol and diesel power, underlining BMW’s two-pronged strategy of refining combustion engines while ramping up serious electric performance.

Even under layers of disguise, the intent is clear. Both test cars wear what appear to be near-production bodies, with final headlamp units already in place and the X3 M borrowing its rear light clusters from the current iX3. Bulky rear bumpers hint at additional shrouding rather than final surfacing, but the stance is unmistakably M: broad tracks, muscular arches and drilled brake discs at each corner. The M3 EV is caught running 20-inch rear wheels wrapped in 295/35 ZR20 rubber, while the X3 M rides on 21-inch front rims with 275/35 ZR21 tyres, signalling serious grip and braking demands.

Under the skin, these cars are expected to move the game on sharply from today’s iX3 50 xDrive. Talk of outputs nudging, or even clearing, the 700 hp mark does not feel far-fetched, especially with an intermediate M Performance tier likely to sit between standard Neue Klasse models and these halo M variants. Rumour suggests an iX3 M60 with roughly 620 hp will bridge that gap, leaving the full X3 M room to deploy even more power from a multi-motor, all-wheel-drive set-up, while the M3 EV is tipped to launch in rear-drive form before any xDrive derivative arrives.

Alongside the electric fleet, development of 3 Series prototypes with combustion engines show how closely BMW intends to align the styling of its ICE and EV ranges. Despite sharing the Neue Klasse design language, the electric M3 will use a dedicated architecture rather than the CLAR platform of today’s six-cylinder M3. One test car with quad tailpipes is believed to preview a future M Performance model, expected to move from the M340i badge to M350 and continue with a tuned B58 straight-six, while the next petrol M3 is set to retain the S58, mild-hybrid assistance and power comfortably north of 500 hp.

In terms of timing, the regular 3 Series is due to break cover first, shortly after the new i3 saloon. The electric M3 and X3 M are understood to follow in 2027, with the battery-powered saloon leading the charge. A new petrol M3 is then pencilled in for around 2028. If the early test footage is any guide, BMW M is preparing to deliver an electric line-up that honours its heritage of strong engines, sharp chassis responses and serious track capability, while giving loyal drivers a new way to enjoy M power in the battery age.