BMW’s next generation performance sedan lineup is expected to give drivers a major choice between tradition and electrification, with the upcoming electric M3 likely to be priced close to the gas powered version. The company is preparing to introduce a high performance electric version of its i3 sedan next year, positioning it as a true M car rather than simply a faster electric model.
According to comments reported by Autocar, BMW M sales boss Sylvia Neubauer said the electric M3 and combustion M3 are expected to sit in the same general pricing range. While the two models will use very different powertrains, BMW wants customers to see them as closely related performance options, with similar identities but different driving characteristics.
The electric model is expected to use one motor at each wheel, giving it advanced control over power delivery and handling. BMW engineers have suggested that the vehicle will offer performance beyond anything previously seen in a BMW M production car. Reports have also pointed to the possibility of output approaching 1,000 horsepower, although final specifications have not yet been confirmed.
The current BMW M3 Competition xDrive produces 523 horsepower and is already capable of reaching 60 mph in a claimed 3.4 seconds. The electric M3 is expected to be heavier because of its battery system, but instant torque and four motor control could make it significantly quicker, possibly pushing it into sub 3 second acceleration territory.
BMW also appears focused on making the electric M3 feel emotionally connected to the driver. Neubauer said the company believes some traditional performance buyers may change their opinion once they experience the car, although BMW does not expect every petrol enthusiast to move to an EV. For those who still prefer combustion engines, the gas M3 will continue to be offered.
The company is also expected to use artificial sound and performance tuning to make the electric model feel more familiar to longtime M drivers. Other automakers have already experimented with simulated engine sounds and gear changes in electric performance cars, showing that brands are trying to preserve the drama and feedback enthusiasts associate with gas powered vehicles.
Pricing has not been officially announced, but the current M3 Competition xDrive starts at $89,950 in the United States and €107,600 in Germany. Since the future gas model is also expected to become more expensive, the electric M3 could reasonably land somewhere around the $90,000 to $100,000 range depending on trim and market.
For BMW, the electric M3 will be more than a quick EV. It will be a test of whether one of the world’s most respected performance badges can successfully move into the electric era while still convincing drivers that the soul of the M3 remains intact.
