BMW Neue Klasse Debuts its M i3 Concept

The M3 is perhaps BMW’s most iconic performance car with its roots firmly born four decades ago from its racing series, with the M3 officially being homologated for productions cars way back in 1986.

Every aspect of the car had been breathed on and optimised by talented race engineers for performance, traction and handling at a time when hot hatchbacks - complete with their spoilers, side-skirts and upgraded engines - were wheel-spinning around supermarket car parks late at night. The M3 came along and not only represented the cream of that crop in a truly aspirational way, but it set the standard for exactly what a family performance car should be.

Many subsequent generations - and many other models over those four decades - has received the M treatment, with the most recent M3 receiving the controversial nose, along with over 500 horsepower behind it.

But now we’re in a new age where the fun factor is finding a new home in electric cars and the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse is officially making its debut at the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Not only does it give huge clues to the future of BMW M design language, but it sets out a line on the track that its new age starts here with an all-electric M performance car. And what an absolutely glorious looking machine this is.

It’s no coincidence that images have been released in that stunning Monza red (albeit it metallic this time around), harking back to the original E30 M3 from its origins in the 1980’s.
BMW simply explains its guiding principle as “Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.”

Oliver Heilmer, Head of Design BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse and BMW M says “The new BMW M design language forms the expressive spearhead of the Neue Klasse – determined and purposeful. At BMW M, form consistently follows function. Every detail serves performance. This project is truly special to me because it carries the BMW M character into a new era.”

And there’s good news for fans of bulges, too, because the new M concept has some big ones with its wide wheel arches that provides the unmistakable BMW M character that we’ve become used to, and which set the original M3 apart from the hot hatch crowd.

And this isn’t some half-baked project whereby a standard saloon has had powerful motors chucked in, BMW has really done their homework to make this a true M car. For example, the V-shaped bonnet bulge houses proper ventilation to support cooling the electric drivetrain, just like muscle cars from America.

There’s new M Yellow Lights to set it apart on the road that are to become a new signature feature of all future BMW M cars. It’s said to be a nod towards their GT racing cars.

Future BMW M cars will also get the M Concept three-dimensional Track Lights located in the outer edge of the front bumper with Track Lights also found in the rear bumper.
And whilst we’re around the back there’s an all-new ducktail spoiler for improved aerodynamics and better downforce.

Inside are four all-new bucket seats upholstered in Bathurst Blue and Berry Red picking out the BMW M colours. Red five-point belts add to the sporty character.

Red accents can be found throughout nodding to the M heritage whilst the digital displays has motorsports highlights to remind the driver how lucky they are to be in such a coveted machine.

Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M GmbH. says “Even in the new all-electric era, we continue the M-typical tradition of transferring both technological innovations and defining design features directly from motorsport into series production,”.

BMW says its “M eDrive is based on the Neue Klasse’s Gen6 technology and was developed specifically for all-electric BMW M automobiles”. And with that are four electric motors - one for each wheel - all controlled through what BMW says is the “BMW M Dynamic Performance Control software”. This ensures that each wheel is optimised for performance, traction and handling, plus driver engagement. And it enables high recuperation levels that translates to heavy lift-off regen braking, adding to the control and enjoyment of driving an M car through twisty roads.

Neue Klasse architecture utilises 800-volt technology along with a battery said to be more than 100 kWh, enabling high performance and long range driving. And that high-voltage battery is structurally integrated between the front and rear axle providing not only a supremely low centre of gravity, but super-strong body rigidity, too.

On a personal note, I can’t wait for more details to be released about this. For now its an M Concept, but undoubtedly it hints at what BMW has in store for future M cars, and i’m really excited by this future.

About the Author

Graeme Cobb is a lifelong car enthusiast with a passion for writing about cars, EVs, industry updates and more.

You can find Graeme on 𝕏 at @graeme_cobb or YouTube @REV-EV.