2028 BMW iM3: Electric M3 Leaked

Just hours out from the unveiling of the BMW Vision Driving Experience concept – an expected preview of the 2028 BMW iM3 – images of the electric M3 prototype have already appeared online.

Based on BMW’s new-generation electric 3 Series – to be badged as the i3 – the Vision Driving Experience (VDX) is said to be close to the production version of the high-performance electric iM3.

BMW development boss Frank Weber told UK magazine Autocar in September 2023 “the next M3 will be battery-electric – full battery-electric,” with website CarBuzz uncovering a trademark application for the ‘iM3’ badge in the weeks following.

Weber also said the iM3 would have four electric motors producing up to 1000kW – or one megawatt.

Around the same time, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel told online magazine Ars Technica the vehicle could come with either dual motors or quad motors, with a central computer controlling everything – known as the ‘hand of God’.

Rather than using separate computers to control different functions – creating up to 20 milliseconds of delay – the central computer controls everything, and can process commands at a quicker rate.

However, the central processing unit has also been called the ‘Heart of Joy’ – with the latest images featuring those words in neon in the background.

“And with four e-motors, we can also do ABS braking with electric motors instead of brake discs so we can get back a lot of energy and up to 30 per cent or more range on the track,” Mr van Meel told Ars Technica at the time.

“So these are things we're currently looking at as well for future race cars as for high-performance vehicles.”

The latest images, leaked on Instagram by Cochespias and BMW World M, shows the front-end previously seen on Neue Klasse concepts, however the VDX features ‘BMW i’ daytime-running lights, an aggressive front spoiler, wider body, and a deep rear bumper with diffuser.

There is likely to be some kind of plastic panel at the back to help break up the large slab between the high-mounted tail-lights and the lower diffuser.

While unlikely to make it to production, the vehicle also appears to feature a centre-lock wheel with aerodiscs and colour-changing LED lights.

The windows also appear to have a thick black line running to raise the shoulder line, echoing the trademark Hofmeister Kink at the C-Pillar.

Inside, the iM3 features swathes of carbon-fibre, a new leather-trimmed M steering wheel with crystal buttons and an Alcantara airbag cover, a full-width head-up display with integrated digital instrument cluster, and a parallelogram-style infotainment screen.

BMW’s next-generation carbon-fibre sports seats also appear to have done away with the often-criticised hump between the legs.

BMW is expected to officially unveil the Vision Driving Experience prototype in the next day, with the production iM3 to be revealed in late 2026 ahead of its launch in the second half of 2027.