BMW unveiled its M Concept Neue Klasse over the weekend to preview the next-generation version of its most famous sports car in the M3 sedan.
Expected to closely mirror the production version, the concept previews the sixth-generation M3 that will be offered as either a straight-six petrol or a fully electric option.
Based on the i3 sedan unveiled earlier this year, M’s concept made its debut at the Le Mans 24 Hours race, in France, and is expected to do battle with the yet unseen AMG version of the new C-Class once both finally hit Aussie roads.
Shark nose design close to production
The concept distinguishes itself from the milder i3 with pumped arches to fit wider tyres, a low-hanging front splitter and menacing yellow headlights that border the ‘shark nose’ grille design.
Less likely to make production are the intricate side mirrors, but the split ducktail spoiler and what appears to be a carbon roof very much could.
The V-shape cut into the bonnet appears to house an exit vent used to cool the combustion engine – a unique edge it could hold over its competitors.
Inside, the concept is clad in Bathurst Blue and Berry Red with Merino leather upholstery. A large parallelogram centre display is angled towards the driver, with BMW’s new wraparound heads-up display providing the bulk of the crucial performance figures.
Platform and power
Much has been rumoured about the next electric BMW M3, but what is confirmed is that the new car will sit on its Gen6 platform featuring 800-volt technology and a 100kWh battery using cylindrical cells to boost output and recharging speeds.
A quad-motor powertrain – with one motor at each wheel – is expected for the new M3, providing precise torque vectoring abilities to trim laptimes and aid in tail-happy shenanigans when pace isn’t the goal.
An output of around 745kW is rumoured for the electric version, making it significantly more powerful than the current M3, which tops out at 405kW in CS guise. However, the EV is also likely to be far heavier than the current M3 Competition’s 1780kg kerb weight.
Less is known about the straight-six version of the M3, which is expected to arrive after its electric sibling.
