There is no escape from car paparazzi. Whether at the Nürburgring or in snowy Sweden: someone is almost always pointing a camera at a prototype. A new spy video shows a BMW convoy of current and future models testing on the roads of Spain. We’ll leave out the cars that aren’t disguised and focus on the ones that are still disguised.
By far the most intriguing of all is the electric M3. This battery-powered sports sedan with the code name “ZA0” already has its complete production body. The last taillights are still missing, but everything else seems to be ready for series production. The flared fenders, massive brakes and lowered ride height clearly set it apart from the regular i3 (“NA0”). Another distinguishing feature are the wide tires: 295/35 ZR20 at the rear.
The zero-emission M3 wasn’t the only electric M prototype in the package. BMW also brought the X3 M (“ZA5”), which was wrapped in heavier camouflage to deter the untrained eye. The two performance electric vehicles are expected to share much of their hardware, although the crossover will likely have standard xDrive while the sedan will reportedly launch with rear-wheel drive.
For those not ready to say goodbye to the internal combustion engine, BMW has also been spotted testing the next generation 3 Series. The “G50” appears in the footage as three different prototypes: regular petrol and diesel models as well as a spicy M Performance version. The latter, reportedly renamed M350, is easy to recognize thanks to its four tailpipes and more aggressive sound.
Although all of these cars were filmed together, only the 3 Series is set to make its debut next year, complete with the M350 variant. As for the other prototypes, the electric M3 isn’t expected until 2027, with the X3 M due to launch later the same year.
As you may have noticed, BMW’s upcoming electric M models will omit the “i” prefix. Still, the company will certainly find a way to differentiate the already confirmed inline-six M3 (“G84”) from its electric sibling.
Video: NCars / YouTube
