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Yahoo
26-06-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
The Electric M3 Will Be Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before
The Electric M3 Will Be Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before originally appeared on Autoblog. There's a lot to cover here, so let's jump right in. As first spotted by BMW Blog, reliable BMW insider and Bimmer Post user ynguldyn has dropped a bunch of unreleased information concerning the future electric M3, starting with confirmation that the vehicle known by the internal code ZA0 will enter production in March 2027, as was broadly suspected. The post goes on to say that only one version (the sedan) is being produced for the time being, though a wagon is all but certain for whatever version of the M3 comes next. Speaking of sedans, the post says that the electric 3 Series (NA0/NA1) will enter production in July next year with the Iconic Glow front grilles that will eventually give all Bimmers an unmistakable signature, day or night. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article We should note that the images used in this article depict the Vision Driving Experience, a prototype test bed for BMW's "Heart of Joy" central computer. BMW says this is a one-off that does not inform any future vehicles, though the next generation of Neue Klasse-based M cars will undoubtedly take some styling inspiration from its design. With that out of the way, the next claim (this time from BMW Blog sources) is that the electric M3 will not stay below 700 horsepower, something that had been rumored in order to give vehicles like the G90 M5 and G08 XM some breathing space. They claim that the battery-operated M car will develop between 800 and 900 hp, though the quad-motor system that some speculated would reach the M3 is still likely to be reserved for high-end applications like the aforementioned M5. It should be noted that the Bimmer Post insider says we should "not expect powertrain specs here until just a few months before [the] start of production." It's a lot more difficult to lock down a figure that could be changed by a software update in an EV than to determine how much power an engine will make as EPA certification, dyno testing, and other evaluations are carried out. View the 3 images of this gallery on the original article Let's return to the Bimmer Post claims, which sound entirely plausible. Once again, sportier seats will reportedly be available as an option, but this time, they won't be made of carbon fiber. Instead, the new flax fiber technology that BMW announced as production-ready last week will reportedly be used. M-specific trim elements and head-up display are said to be standard, with more flax fiber in areas that would traditionally be made of carbon composite, like the spoilers, mirrors, and grille inserts. 20-inch wheels will be standard, claims the report, with forged 20s and staggered 20-/21-inch wheels optional alongside carbon-ceramic brakes. What does not appear to be an option is a lightweight roof, with the post claiming that a panoramic sunroof will be shared with the regular 3 Series. Perhaps the inevitable Competition version will address this, since BMW has claimed CO2 emissions reductions of up to 40% with flax fiber versus a similarly sized carbon fiber roof. Finally, for the styling anyway, M-specific headlight graphics are expected. We've been saving this for the end because it requires a discussion on its own. According to the leak, the electric 3 Series will be called i3 and the electric M3 will wear the iM3 badge. BMW has already begun dropping the 'i' suffix from the badges of its combustion-powered cars - the M340i will soon be the M350, for example - with officials saying that cars with it being sold in the same showroom as EVs with the letter as a prefix were causing confusion among buyers. Therefore, we understand the move with respect to the next 3 Series. It also makes a certain amount of sense for the M3, especially after BMW applied for the iM3 trademark in Europe twice. I wrote the story breaking the news of the application for CarBuzz back in 2023, but almost immediately after the article blew up, Frank van Meel told Top Gear, "We would never use an i on an M." That seemed pretty conclusive, but with this new leak claiming otherwise, perhaps BMW has decided that differentiation between EVs and combustion cars matters just as much for M cars as for regular Bimmers. We'll report back once we know more. Given this barrage of information now being leaked, we won't have long to wait. The Electric M3 Will Be Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before first appeared on Autoblog on Jun 24, 2025 This story was originally reported by Autoblog on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Auto Blog
24-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
The Electric M3 Will Be Unlike Anything You've Ever Seen Before
Reliable Insider Claims Electric M3 Arrives Soon There's a lot to cover here, so let's jump right in. As first spotted by BMW Blog, reliable BMW insider and Bimmer Post user ynguldyn has dropped a bunch of unreleased information concerning the future electric M3, starting with confirmation that the vehicle known by the internal code ZA0 will enter production in March 2027, as was broadly suspected. The post goes on to say that only one version (the sedan) is being produced for the time being, though a wagon is all but certain for whatever version of the M3 comes next. Speaking of sedans, the post says that the electric 3 Series (NA0/NA1) will enter production in July next year with the Iconic Glow front grilles that will eventually give all Bimmers an unmistakable signature, day or night. Much More Power Than Previously Suggested We should note that the images used in this article depict the Vision Driving Experience, a prototype test bed for BMW's 'Heart of Joy' central computer. BMW says this is a one-off that does not inform any future vehicles, though the next generation of Neue Klasse-based M cars will undoubtedly take some styling inspiration from its design. With that out of the way, the next claim (this time from BMW Blog sources) is that the electric M3 will not stay below 700 horsepower, something that had been rumored in order to give vehicles like the G90 M5 and G08 XM some breathing space. They claim that the battery-operated M car will develop between 800 and 900 hp, though the quad-motor system that some speculated would reach the M3 is still likely to be reserved for high-end applications like the aforementioned M5. It should be noted that the Bimmer Post insider says we should 'not expect powertrain specs here until just a few months before [the] start of production.' It's a lot more difficult to lock down a figure that could be changed by a software update in an EV than to determine how much power an engine will make as EPA certification, dyno testing, and other evaluations are carried out. Numerous Options On The Table Let's return to the Bimmer Post claims, which sound entirely plausible. Once again, sportier seats will reportedly be available as an option, but this time, they won't be made of carbon fiber. Instead, the new flax fiber technology that BMW announced as production-ready last week will reportedly be used. M-specific trim elements and head-up display are said to be standard, with more flax fiber in areas that would traditionally be made of carbon composite, like the spoilers, mirrors, and grille inserts. 20-inch wheels will be standard, claims the report, with forged 20s and staggered 20-/21-inch wheels optional alongside carbon-ceramic brakes. What does not appear to be an option is a lightweight roof, with the post claiming that a panoramic sunroof will be shared with the regular 3 Series. Perhaps the inevitable Competition version will address this, since BMW has claimed CO2 emissions reductions of up to 40% with flax fiber versus a similarly sized carbon fiber roof. Finally, for the styling anyway, M-specific headlight graphics are expected. One More Revelation: The Electric M3's Name We've been saving this for the end because it requires a discussion on its own. According to the leak, the electric 3 Series will be called i3 and the electric M3 will wear the iM3 badge. BMW has already begun dropping the 'i' suffix from the badges of its combustion-powered cars – the M340i will soon be the M350, for example – with officials saying that cars with it being sold in the same showroom as EVs with the letter as a prefix were causing confusion among buyers. Therefore, we understand the move with respect to the next 3 Series. It also makes a certain amount of sense for the M3, especially after BMW applied for the iM3 trademark in Europe twice. I wrote the story breaking the news of the application for CarBuzz back in 2023, but almost immediately after the article blew up, Frank van Meel told Top Gear, 'We would never use an i on an M.' That seemed pretty conclusive, but with this new leak claiming otherwise, perhaps BMW has decided that differentiation between EVs and combustion cars matters just as much for M cars as for regular Bimmers. We'll report back once we know more. Given this barrage of information now being leaked, we won't have long to wait. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Auto Blog
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
2026 BMW M3 Pricing Revealed
2026 M3 Gets Away With Relatively Small Increase The current tensions surrounding the ongoing tariff deliberations and revisions are causing German automakers to sweat. Although BMW has been doing its best to keep consequent price adjustments from impacting its customers' wallets, there's only so much that can be done while still keeping shareholders happy. After all, BMW is a business and needs to turn a profit. And when shoppers are already forking out over $100k with all the options for the current M3, a $2,380 increase across the range (compared to the launch price) isn't anything to loosen one's collar over. If you're one of those individuals, the configurator for the 2026 model year will soon go live, and it's always plenty of fun to play with. If not, read on, and we'll break the new pricing down. The 2026 BMW M3 Still Sneaks In Below $80k That's right. For the new model year, that $2,380 price bump means a base MSRP of $78,400, according to a pricing guide obtained by Bimmer Post. If you want the added bragging rights that come with the M3 Competition, however, you'll pay at least $82,600. And if you want the extra power that is now offered by the M xDrive-fitted M3 Competition, you'll be forking over a minimum of $87,700. Before you even think about options, you need to add the automaker's destination and handling fee of $1,175 to the equation. That's actually come down from the 2025 model, which was set at $1,195. Here's the overall difference with respective destination charges applied: Model 2024 Price 2025 Price Difference M3 $77,195 $79,575 +$2,380 M3 Competition $81,395 $83,775 +$2,380 M3 Competition w/ M xDrive $86,495 $88,875 +$2,380 Optional Packages Can Push Final Price Near $120K To complete the aggressive look, you may want to take a look at the Carbon Package, adding another $15,300 for the regular M3 and $14,300 for Competition variants. That does not include the carbon bucket seats you get as standard in a CS-badged Bimmer, so set aside another $4,500. If you really want to impress BMW fanatics, consider the gold brake calipers, because those indicate $8,500 carbon-ceramics. To unlock the full capabilities of your new M3, tick the box marked 'M Driver's Package' for $2,500, moving the speed limiter's needle from 155 mph to 180. Tick all those boxes (and choose a plain color inside and out), and you'll just sneak in below $120,000. 2026 BMW M3 Production Begins Very Soon So why isn't the configurator live just yet if pricing guides are becoming available? Well, BMW is only expected to begin production of U.S.-bound 2026 M3 sedans in July, and the pricing guide gives its dealers a heads-up, allowing them to plan their pricing strategies for the coming month. In the meantime, Bimmer Post has full pdf documents of both the new pricing guide and the ordering guide, so if you intend on reserving a special optional extra that will add to your build time, head over to your nearest BMW dealer soon and put your name down. Alternatively, wait until the 2026 models hit the lots and take advantage of deals and incentives on low-mileage and unsold 2025 models. Those should come in considerably cheaper, and any opportunity to get over 500 horsepower and an iconic badge is worth considering. Oops! We're unable to load this content right now. View directly on Instagram About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
Miami Herald
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Why This BMW Stick-Shift Won't Disappear Just Yet
In an increasingly rare piece of good news for fans of manual sports cars, BMW is set to extend production of a key enthusiast model beyond the expected timeline. We're referring to the Z4 M40i with the brand's classic six-cylinder engine and stick-shift transmission, which was expected to go out of production in October this year. However, a reliable source over at Bimmer Post has revealed an extended production run that stretches all the way to May 2026. One can only assume that strong sales have led to the decision to keep the Z4 M40i around a little longer. For the 2025 model year, BMW introduced the Handschalter package for the M40i variant, which includes a six-speed manual in addition to the version with the eight-speed automatic. According to BMW's latest sales figures for Q1 2025, Z4 sales were up by 29% year-on-year in the United States, reaching 503 units. Yes, that's not a lot of cars in BMW world, but the Z4 is a low-volume sports car, not a family-friendly SUV. Considering that only the M40i is getting an extended production run until May 2026, we can presume that the increase in sales is due to the success of the M40i, not the base four-cylinder variant. Intriguingly, it looks like the Toyota GR Supra, with which the Z4 shares engines and other components, will also stick around until May 2026. The current Z4 starts at $54,050 for the 255-horsepower sDrive30i model with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine. To upgrade to the 382-hp M40i, you must spend at least $66,450. From there, a further $3,500 is required for the Handschalter package, which adds the six-speed manual along with extras like extended Shadowline trim, black mirror caps, M Sport brakes with red calipers, and black high gloss trim. It's not the cheapest new BMW, but fans have clearly being willing to pay for it. Besides the Z4 M40i manual, the German manufacturer has several other manuals available in its lineup, including the M2 coupe, M3 sedan, and M4 coupe. All have variations of the brand's sporty and powerful six-cylinder turbo engine. After eliminating dual-clutch automatics from its lineup recently - a more engaging alternative to traditional automatics - there was a fear that BMW manuals weren't long for this world, either. However, a BMW Blog report from March 2025 indicates that BMW isn't ready to ditch manuals entirely, even though the take rate for a stick-shift is low. For now, we have a six-cylinder manual Z4 to savor for a while longer, and that's a good thing. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Auto Blog
09-06-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Blog
BMW Gives Manual Z4 Enthusiasts More Time
The Automaker Only Has Four Manual Cars Left In an increasingly rare piece of good news for fans of manual sports cars, BMW is set to extend production of a key enthusiast model beyond the expected timeline. We're referring to the Z4 M40i with the brand's classic six-cylinder engine and stick-shift transmission, which was expected to go out of production in October this year. However, a reliable source over at Bimmer Post has revealed an extended production run that stretches all the way to May 2026. One can only assume that strong sales have led to the decision to keep the Z4 M40i around a little longer. Source: BMW Z4 Sales On The Rise For the 2025 model year, BMW introduced the Handschalter package for the M40i variant, which includes a six-speed manual in addition to the version with the eight-speed automatic. According to BMW's latest sales figures for Q1 2025, Z4 sales were up by 29% year-on-year in the United States, reaching 503 units. Yes, that's not a lot of cars in BMW world, but the Z4 is a low-volume sports car, not a family-friendly SUV. Considering that only the M40i is getting an extended production run until May 2026, we can presume that the increase in sales is due to the success of the M40i, not the base four-cylinder variant. Intriguingly, it looks like the Toyota GR Supra, with which the Z4 shares engines and other components, will also stick around until May 2026. The current Z4 starts at $54,050 for the 255-horsepower sDrive30i model with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbo engine. To upgrade to the 382-hp M40i, you must spend at least $66,450. From there, a further $3,500 is required for the Handschalter package, which adds the six-speed manual along with extras like extended Shadowline trim, black mirror caps, M Sport brakes with red calipers, and black high gloss trim. It's not the cheapest new BMW, but fans have clearly being willing to pay for it. BMW Is Doing The Most To Keep Manuals Alive Besides the Z4 M40i manual, the German manufacturer has several other manuals available in its lineup, including the M2 coupe, M3 sedan, and M4 coupe. All have variations of the brand's sporty and powerful six-cylinder turbo engine. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. After eliminating dual-clutch automatics from its lineup recently – a more engaging alternative to traditional automatics – there was a fear that BMW manuals weren't long for this world, either. However, a BMW Blog report from March 2025 indicates that BMW isn't ready to ditch manuals entirely, even though the take rate for a stick-shift is low. For now, we have a six-cylinder manual Z4 to savor for a while longer, and that's a good thing. About the Author Karl Furlong View Profile
