Car Paparazzi caught BMW unprepared by capturing spy shots of the first electric M3 with an open door. Using the test -you can see that the “ZA0” is still in progress. This makes sense when you consider that series production only begins in 2027. Do not yet assess the quality of the interior. This is a prototype like the fire extinguisher if something goes wrong.
Idrive X also comes to the M3
Look over the laptop on the passenger side, the monitor that sits high and seems to be a keyboard, and you will notice some elements ready for production. The central touchscreen of the iDrive X dominates the dashboard. This rough interior also has a sporty steering wheel with Marben seams. We can also recognize a body huging passenger covered with alcantara, or a similar suede material. However, this is also an early prototype, and materials or design signs are not towards the end product.
But there is something more interesting inside. One of the spy shots shows a sticker that is glued to the base of the B-pillar and unveiled the VIN. We had the impression that all M -cars “WBS” and only regular BMWs start with “WBA”. However, this may not be a strict rule for prototypes. It is worth noting that some early MS, like the E24 M6 and E28 M5, had vehicle identification numbers, starting with “WBA”.
Very preliminary weight figures
Let us break these weight figures from top to bottom. The zooming in the photo shows 2,675 kilograms (£ 5897), which is said to be the gross weight of the vehicle. This is the maximum weight in humans and freight. Don’t worry about the next number: 4,475 kg (9,865 lbs) are supposedly also the gross weight plus a trailer. The remaining two numbers represent the maximum weight on the front and rear axles, 1,250 kg (2,755 lbs) or 1,475 kg (3,252 lbs).
The actual car can circle on the gross weight and could weigh at least 400 kg as soon as you pull off the occupants and your luggage. However, it could be very different and we won’t know exactly until BMW publishes it. As a reference, an empty Tesla model 3 -performance weighs 1.851 kg (4.081 LBS). The hot EV has a gross weight of 5,000 lbs (2.268 kg), which leads to a 417 kg difference (919 LB).
This also pure speculation, but assume that the electric M3 ends around 2,225 kg (4.905 lbs), it will be almost 450 kg (992 lbs) heavier than a petrol -m3 -G80 -competition XDRIVE. At the same time, it would be about 160 kg lighter than the larger M5 “G90”. Compared to the i5 M60, the electrical M3 would weigh about the same.
However, these are only the best estimates based on prototype data. The final production M3 “ZA0” could be easier. Why? Since the test devices mentioned above are removed from the finished model and BMW can contain other measurements of the weight savings. First let’s put it in the weight until we see the official figures.
20 inch wheels
The electrical M3 came out of the prototype and had a 20-inch rear wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport 5 tires. M logos are visible behind the black wheels, while the camouflage does not contribute to hiding the plump arches. We have the impression that it is smaller than the gas -powered M3, but that could only be an illusion that was created by the Camo.
The test car seems to have a full production authority, although the taillights are clearly not final. The new class design language can be felt at the front, where the car contains excerpts in the camouflage for the park sensors. While the IX3 and other SUVs have upright kidney grilles, the limousines have a wide grille that merges with the headlights.
It is still a long way to give the camouflage. The first step is to reveal the regular i3 (“Na0”) in 2026. His siblings will follow about a year later. [Picture credit: Baldauf]
