BMW brings the electric M3 to the roads (7 photos)

Bavarian marketers decided to finally split the brand's fan base and rolled out the M Neue Klasse concept right at the legendary Le Mans. Essentially, this is an electric successor to the iconic M3, with production officially scheduled for 2027. To sweeten the deal for the diehards, they stuffed some truly insane hardware under the body: four independent electric motors, a battery with a capacity of over 100 kWh, and an 800-volt system capable of charging at up to 400 kW. Rumor has it that this entire silicon farm will produce between 700 and 1,000 horsepower, distributed by a supercomputer with the mocking name "Heart of Joy." However, BMW remembered in time that adherents of the internal combustion engine cult could burn down their headquarters, so they didn't risk completely abandoning gasoline. As early as 2028, exactly one year after the battery-powered monster, a new gasoline-powered version of the M3 will hit the market. So fans will still have a chance to hear the real roar of the inline-six while everyone else gets used to the synthetic speaker squeal.