4 Minutes
BMW's next M3: ICE heart, Neue Klasse styling
BMW's recent delivery figures underline why the brand can’t afford missteps: a strong Q3 with deliveries up nearly 8.8% for the BMW Group and more than 1.8 million units year-to-date across BMW, MINI and Rolls‑Royce. Still, China remains a soft spot, and fresh product launches are critical. The iX3 — BMW’s second-generation compact EV crossover — kicked off the Neue Klasse design language and a new EV architecture. Now the big question: how will BMW’s most iconic sports sedan evolve visually and mechanically under that new design ethic?
From iX3 to the 3 Series family
Neue Klasse is already shaping BMW’s design direction. While the dedicated EV platform will be reserved for electric models, the whole range is expected to adopt the iX3’s styling cues. That means the next-generation 3 Series will share the new visual identity — and, predictably, an electric i3 sibling will join the lineup, mirroring the i5 and i7 strategy for other segments.
CGI renders vs. real-world spy shots
Digital artist Nikita Chuicko (aka kelsonik) and the team at Kolesa have reimagined the upcoming M3 in high-quality CGI, starting from their electric iM3 template and then producing a conventional ICE version. Their renderings marry Neue Klasse proportions with a muscular rear end and a quad-exit exhaust layout — a clear nod to combustion performance.
That imagination isn’t purely speculative. Spy photographers recently caught a heavily camouflaged seventh‑generation M3 (G84) testing on public roads, and the quad pipes leave little doubt: at least one M3 variant will keep a combustion engine in the lineup.
Highlights from the renders and spy reports:
- Neue Klasse-inspired exterior with cleaner, more modern surfaces
- Interior cues borrowed from the iX3, including the digital cockpit and minimalist dashboard
- Muscular rear with quad exhausts signaling internal-combustion performance
- Likely electrified inline-six powertrain under discussion by insiders
Powertrain and performance expectations
The rumor mill points to an electrified inline-six — not a pure EV — for the conventional M3, combining turbocharged ICE character with hybrid assistance to meet performance and emissions goals. That architecture would let BMW tune the M3 for both raw response and improved efficiency, while M GmbH could still extract impressive horsepower and torque figures for the high-performance variants.
Expectations include:
- Mild‑hybrid or plug‑in hybrid assistance to boost low‑end torque and meet emissions targets
- A range of outputs: standard M models tuned for daily-drivable performance, with track‑focused Competition variants delivering significantly more power
- Retention of hallmark M traits: rear‑biased handling, performance brakes and sport suspension
Market context and what it means
Maintaining a mix of ICE, hybrid and EV offerings gives BMW flexibility as global markets shift. The existence of both an iM3 and an ICE/electrified G84 M3 would mirror BMW’s broader strategy: electrify where necessary but preserve combustion-driven models where enthusiast demand remains strong.
A quote that sums it up: "BMW is balancing Neue Klasse design and modern electrification with legacy performance — the M3 will likely be a bridge between eras."
For enthusiasts and buyers, this translates to a 3 Series family that looks forward stylistically while still offering the visceral appeal of an internal-combustion M3 — albeit one augmented by electrification.
What to watch next
- More spy shots revealing less camouflage
- Official BMW teasers or tech briefs about the 3 Series powertrain options
- Confirmation of performance figures and model lineup timing
Whether BMW launches an iM3, a conventional M3, or both, the next generation promises to be a pivotal moment for the brand and for the compact performance segment.
Source: autoevolution
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