BMW’s M Concept Neue Klasse Gives the Electric M3 a Muscular New Identity

BMW took the stage at the 24 Hours of Le Mans to reveal its next high-performance electrified sedan. The M Concept Neue Klasse is a near-production preview of the electrified M3 due in 2027. It is based on the i3 sedan chassis, which will be released later this year, but with the aggressive stance, larger bodywork, and motorsport-inspired aspects that set the M division apart.

Designers started with the clean, elegant Neue Klasse shape and built on it, giving it a strong presence. The wide fenders extend outward, hugging the bigger tracks and wheels, representing a considerable shift. The front end blends the headlamps and kidney grille into a single long horizontal feature, which is divided in the middle by a central body-colored spine bearing the BMW logo. Inside those headlights are some yellow slashes, a nod to the lighting on BMW’s Le Mans racing prototypes, which will be standard on all future M vehicles.

Square track lights are mounted on the front bumper’s outside borders, as they will be on production M cars. Then there are the deep air intakes beneath the headlights, which look to be inspired by high-speed sailing catamarans and supply air to the cooling and brake systems. A low front splitter, hood vent, and diffuser made of natural fibers work together to cut through the air while remaining lightweight. The side skirts and roof use the same natural-fibre technology, which is likewise environmentally beneficial, producing fewer emissions during production than traditional carbon fiber.


The rear receives the same treatment, with a visible ducktail spoiler and a diffuser that looks to be identical to the one in the front but in a different location. The taillights are large, with the BMW badge in the center. The aerodynamically designed mirrors cut drag, and center-lock wheels with a touch of negative camber complete the look, indicating that this is a car that appears ready to pounce even when still.



Four electric motors, one for each wheel, supply power, allowing the vehicle to distribute torque to the precise area required thanks to sophisticated software. It charges quickly due to its 800-volt architecture, and the battery pack has a capacity of more than 100 kilowatt hours. BMW also created unique cylindrical cells for M use that balance power, charging speed, and range. The battery structure even connects to the front and back axles, providing the chassis more stiffness.



The exact horsepower counts are unknown, but early estimates imply that the production car will have between 800 and 1,000 horsepower, which is a lot of power for a vehicle of this size. When combined with massive torque and the ability to control each wheel individually, the car should be able to match the speed of substantially more expensive vehicles while preserving the snappy handling and feedback that M drivers have come to expect.





Inside, the cockpit is centered on the driving experience, with four bucket seats upholstered in contrasting blue and red leather to keep you safe while you put it through its paces. The steering wheel, door panels, and even the roll bar are made of a new material called black nubuck leather, which is generally too sporty for the M brand. The Neue Klasse digital layout returns, with a large screen along the base of the windshield and a center display facing the driver. The hexagonal backlighting is old M, with a few red accents like the gear selector and steering-wheel paddles. The production models will replace the back bucket seats with a normal bench and remove the roll bar, but the rest of the cabin will stay mostly unchanged.