BMW is preparing to launch an electric M3, a move that marks a significant shift for the company, which has built its reputation on petrol-powered cars. The electric M3 has been spotted testing on the Nürburgring, Germany’s famous development center for high-performance cars.
Testing the Electric M3
Recent spy photos show the electric M3 being put through its paces on the Nürburgring, with the driver casually exiting one of the track’s most demanding corners sideways. The car is leaving ribbons of rubber on the tarmac, indicating that all four tires are being used to their full potential.
The electric M3 is not the only car being tested on the Nürburgring. A Chinese-made Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is also being put through its paces.
Xiaomi SU7 Ultra: A Key Rival
The Xiaomi SU7 Ultra is a range-topping version of the SU7 electric car, which has been impressing people with its performance. In June 2025, it set a production-spec electric car lap record for the Nürburgring’s Nordschleife configuration, with a time of 7:04.957 minutes. The car uses three ‘HyperEngine’ electric motors to achieve a combined output of 1138kW, equivalent to 1526bhp.
The SU7 Ultra also claims a 0-62mph time of just 1.98sec and a top speed of 217mph. By comparison, the electric M3 is expected to deliver around 680-750bhp in standard configuration, increasing to about 810bhp for the later CS version.
Electric M3: Performance and Control
Despite having less power than the SU7 Ultra, the car will use four cutting-edge electric motors to achieve control over each individual wheel.
The car’s electronic architecture is overseen by a powerful super-computing brain, which BMW originally referred to as the ‘Hand of God’. The electric M3 promises not only immense capability but also immersive involvement, with a focus on driver engagement. This is something that its key Chinese rival may be lacking, as the SU7 Ultra’s lap record videos online show a sense of brutality but not much finesse. BMW, on the other hand, has always built driver’s cars, and the electric M3 is expected to reinforce this reputation.
The electric M3 is demonstrating its capabilities with a four-wheel drift during a test session, showcasing the purity of its balance and cornering potential.
