BMW M has achieved a major milestone in its history. The Performance division has produced its one-millionth car, and to celebrate this milestone, the company has also revealed a fresh teaser of the upcoming BMW M3 EV.
BMW M’s millionth model is a special Fire Orange M3, while the upcoming electric M3 will be produced at the Munich plant in the future.
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BMW M GmbH was founded in 1972, and since then, the division has established its distinct identity through performance-focused BMW models. Now, producing the one-millionth vehicle is an important milestone for the brand, especially at a time when BMW M is rapidly moving towards its electric performance portfolio.
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BMW M’s One-Millionth Model Is a Special M3
BMW M’s one-millionth vehicle rolled off the production line at its plant in Munich, Germany. It’s a BMW M3 painted in BMW Individual Fire Orange III.
This special M3 was presented to Peter Weber, head of BMW Group Plant Munich, by BMW M CEO Franciscus van Meel. According to the company, BMW M’s philosophy has been based on a combination of road-going practicality and racetrack-inspired performance, and the millionth car marks an important milestone in this long-running approach.
According to sources, the millionth car appears to be the M3 Competition variant. The current M3 Competition uses a twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter six-cylinder petrol engine, with output reaching 503 hp or 523 hp, depending on the configuration.
The all-wheel-drive version can complete the 0-60 mph sprint in around 3.4 seconds, while the top speed is electronically limited to 155 mph, or around 250 km/h.
But the era of the current-generation M3 is now gradually coming to an end, as BMW has introduced the new-generation 3 Series. The Munich plant is also being prepared for a major transformation in the future.
Munich Plant to Produce Only EVs from 2027
BMW is investing around €650 million in its Munich production facility. i3 production began at the plant in August, and the company plans to produce only fully electric vehicles at the Munich plant from 2027.
An important part of this production transition will be the upcoming BMW M3 EV. The electric performance sedan is to be built at this facility.
This transition is significant for BMW, as the M3 name has historically been closely associated with high-performance combustion engines. Now the company is moving towards continuing this performance philosophy with an electric powertrain.
Fresh Teaser of the BMW M3 EV
BMW has released fresh images of a camouflaged prototype of the upcoming BMW M3 EV. This production-oriented prototype appears closely related to the M3 EV concept revealed in June, but the design of the production version is comparatively more restrained.
The prototype features a less aggressive front bumper and a smaller splitter compared to the concept. The car also features conventional ORVMs and flush-mounted door handles.
The rear section also receives a more traditional treatment for the production car. Compared to the concept’s relatively aggressive, track-focused appearance, the rear design of the road-going M3 EV is a bit cleaner.
However, BMW has retained some distinctive elements of the concept. The yellow headlight graphics and squared-off lower lighting elements are clearly visible in the prototype. The ventilated bonnet and compact rear spoiler also highlight the performance-focused character.
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A Quad-Motor Setup May Make an Entry
BMW has not yet revealed the official powertrain specifications of the BMW M3 EV. Therefore, the final power output, battery capacity, range, and acceleration figures of the production model have not yet been officially confirmed.
However, reports and rumors have revealed expectations of a quad-motor powertrain for the electric M3. Rumored power figures range widely, ranging from around 691 hp to 986 hp.
Such high output figures are still in the speculation category, so they cannot be considered confirmed specifications. The M3 EV’s actual performance capabilities will only become clear after BMW’s final production-spec announcement.
The competition is also set to be interesting. Reports for Mercedes-AMG’s upcoming electric C-Class performance model indicate a tri-motor setup and expectations of around 789 hp. This could make the performance race for the BMW M3 EV even more interesting in the electric era.
The Beginning of BMW M’s Electric Future
The M3 being the one-millionth M car and the teaser of the next-generation electric M3 arriving at the same milestone clearly highlight BMW M’s transformation. The brand’s traditional performance formula will now be combined with electric powertrain technology.
Official specifications and launch details of the BMW M3 EV have not yet been fully revealed, but the Munich plant’s all-electric production plan from 2027 underscores the importance of this upcoming performance sedan.
For BMW M, this won’t just be a new electric model. This will be a major step in the legendary M3 nameplate’s entry into the electric era.
Image source- carscoops
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