- The all-electric BMW iM3 is set to use a 100 kWh battery and a four-motor setup.
- Independent motors allow BMW to precisely control power and torque delivery.
- A new ICE M3 is also in development, so the nameplate will not go fully electric.
It’s only been a few days since the all-new BMW i3 was unveiled, not as a successor to the original quirky i3 hatch, but as the electric counterpart to the popular 3-Series sedan. We’ve known for years that BMW planned a high-performance M version of this car, and a pair of leaked images now appear to offer the clearest look yet at what could be called the i3M, or possibly iM3.
The origin of these images is unknown, but they were shared across forums and social media, including Bimmer Post, over the weekend. Importantly, their legitimacy remains uncertain, and it’s not even clear whether they show a fully-fledged electric M3 or perhaps a slightly more restrained M Sport model.
Read: BMW’s Electric M3 Tries To Simulate Everything It Just Replaced
Whatever the photos show, it’s obvious that the car pictured here looks quite a bit different from the regular i3 sedan. The headlights appear slightly darker, and a distinctive bumper has been fitted, complete with a diamond-shaped element positioned at the center.
The lower portion of the bumper is also distinct and includes two large, blacked-out air intakes. Positioned on either side of these intakes are four square driving lights, sitting in place of the standard model’s narrow air curtains. It makes for an interesting look that’ll no doubt split opinions.
What Else Is Unique?
Other eye-catching elements visible include a black air vent in the center of the hood and muscular fender flares. However, some forum members have noted these fenders don’t really look much wider than the standard i3’s, prompting some to speculate this may not be the all-electric M3 after all.
Perhaps adding credence to this is the fact that the sedan doesn’t appear to have the sporty wing mirrors we’ve come to expect from BMW M models.
What Do We Know About The iM3?
Regardless of what these images ultimately show, several key details about the electric M3 are already confirmed. For starters, BMW has stated that it will use a 100 kWh battery pack with its latest cylindrical cells.
In addition, the electric M3 is also expected to employ a quad-motor setup, with each motor powering an individual wheel through its own gearbox. This configuration should allow for extremely precise control of torque distribution. BMW is also developing a rear-wheel-drive mode that fully decouples the front axle. Add simulated gear shifts and a bespoke soundscape, and this could end up being one of the more engaging EVs to drive.
