It’s clear by now that electric cars are here to stay. They aren’t mainstream yet, and the most important brand names have thus far been spared. But it’s coming, and that got me thinking – what must BMW do to make you and I want an electric M3.
Allow me to play devils advocate for a moment. This isn’t about whether or not they should, simply whether they could.
Keep the weight of an electric M3 down
The reason why BMWs have become so heavy is simple – platform sharing. And that sharing has turned into an epidemic in recent years.
Take the new M5 and its 5,390-pound curb weight – more than an X5 M. It’s that heavy because its platform must accommodate an internal combustion engine, a hybrid engine, and a full-on electric powertrain (the i5). This undoubtedly means compromises are made in terms of chassis stiffening. In order to make an M5 feel like an M5, additional stiffness and weight must be added.
It sounds like BMW will make an electric M3 alongside a gas-powered model. That’s probably unfortunate because the Tesla Model 3 Performance has a dedicated platform and actually weighs less than the current ICE- powered M3.
Make the new M3 weigh about the same as the current gen, and that’s a big step. Raise the curb weight by 500 pounds, and it only hurts every aspect of performance.
An electric M3 must destroy everything
I don’t mean 0.2 tenths of a second faster to sixty. I mean it must be the fastest M car ever made, and it must make you embarrassed to select the ICE-powered version parked next to it.
It must be able to do it at the drag strip, and it must be able to do it on a road course. If only 10% of people track their G80, then those 10% better be happy with its performance. No overheating, no discharging suddenly. Consistent performance from lap one to lap 100. The level of performance and quality should surpass anything Tesla makes by a mile.
Since we won’t be able to modify these cars, M Performance options that can add even more power down the road would be another big step toward appeasing the faithful.
Go all in on an electric M3
The current M3 makes a great daily, and I love the S58 engine. But it’s hanging on by the slimmest of margins when it comes to honoring its past.
You can add intakes, exhausts, suspensions and wheels all you want, but it’s just a really capable and comfortable 3 Series. If you ask me, the last real M3 was the E9X with its unique V-8. The following generations are great, but not special.
So go all in BMW. What would it be – a “base” M3 with ICE, and an M3 Competition with electric power? Seems like BMW would simply be watering down both examples. I’m not sure if I’d buy one, but I’d honestly give it a try. I’d be more inclined if it were the only example available.
And look – BMW isn’t going to come to your garage and take away your E46, okay? But if M has made it clear that they are now all about ULTIMATE PERFORMANCE, than just go ahead and do that. Otherwise, plop an updated S65 into the bay and watch it sell like hotcakes – at least it’ll be what we really want.
Guess we’ll find out when the Neue Klasse debuts in 2026.
