The BMW Concept M Neue Klasse previews the next-gen M3 in EV form

The next-generation BMW 3-Series has already adopted the Neue Klasse looks and architecture to much acclaim and controversy around the world, so it’s pretty obvious what the next vehicle is: the new generation BMW M3.

Many thought that the Heart of Joy concept with its crazy power output figures would preview the M3, but that turned out to be the basis for the regular i3, and it looks like the M version is going to be even crazier as previewed by the Concept M Neue Klasse.

Making its debut at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans weekend, the Concept M Neue Klasse is a “design study” for the next generation of M, but it already looks pretty set in stone if you ask us.

One way you’d be able to identify future M cars are by the now standard yellow lights, as BMW says this is linked with motorsports and it’s pretty obvious that it takes after the M Hybrid V8 Le Mans Hybrid racer. The newest color in Monza Red is front and center on this car, too.

Imagine the standard Neue Klasse 3-Series, just beefed up with wide fender flares, additional splitters and diffusers, a new pair of additional lights front and back, large intakes, a deep hood vent (most likely for aerodynamics), black center lock wheels with red accents, and an integrated dual ducktail spoiler. Oh, and BMW has swapped out carbon fiber for natural fibers, aiming for a more environmentally friendly approach that’s just as strong,

As for the interior, it looks very similar to the standard Neue Klasse featuring the panoramic iDrive and all, just “M-ified” with four bucket seats with five point belts inside, also made out of natural fibers, nubuck leather on the steering wheel, door panels, and roll bar, alongside black knit material on the dashboard, red accents on the gear selector, steering wheel, and digital display.

A quick bullet list of specifications include a quad-motor powertrain with the Heart of Joy control system, and an 800V architecture mated to a sixth-generation battery that’s larger than 100kW, and is structurally integrated with the front and rear axles for better handling.

We don’t know when this will come out, but we’re excited and happy to see one manufacturer successfully pull off the high-performance EV trend with an “aggressive” EV look that doesn’t have to resort to weird, unorthodox designs like we’ve been seeing with other electric cars.

^{Photos from BMW}