[Mikesbimmer]

I’d rather drive an analog E46 M3 with 300hp and a clutch than this AI-powered synthetically sounding EV that needs internet connectivity to move. We are entering the era of just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Anyone agree?

[Cortexiphan]

Looks amazing.

Very likely to be the biggest leap forward in M history.

[W///]

Originally Posted by fanofbmwe46

I’d rather drive an analog E46 M3 with 300hp and a clutch than this AI-powered synthetically sounding EV that needs internet connectivity to move. We are entering the era of just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Anyone agree?

Why do they have to be compared? They have nothing in common.

I'd view this as a car to add to the E46.

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by Mikesbimmer

We are entering the era of just because you can doesn’t mean you should. Anyone agree?

You don't have to join this era or tell others what to like.

[Game]

This thing is insane. Potential to be a game changer.

Still taking ICE though.

[Bumpinjeep]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Wtf does this mean?

So the Control Unit that has all of the crazy features this test bed of a car has, will go into production on other BMWs. So like the 3 series, 5 series, whatever. This particular car isn't a production car and won't go into production. Even though it sure looks like one.

[yousefnjr]

Shape on this thing is so good, just like the cool little NK/Dee concept car. Way better than the spy shots of what we’re actually getting. Too bad

[forcefed]

Originally Posted by Bumpinjeep

This particular car isn't a production car and won't go into production. Even though it sure looks like one.

That's unfortunate because that's what we care about, why are they showing all these exterior pictures of something that isn't going into production?

[Staszek]

I really like the proportions and look of this. I feel like if BMW could make the concept cars look like the concepts they would really do well. This is the first BMW in a while that I was like wow I like it and its moving into the future. All the other future looking attempts are just off. This could make me hold off on a Taycan in 2 years. We will see what actually comes out.

[VR1]

I just can’t seem to get excited about this. Driving really any car around at 2-3/10s doesn’t do much for me, but I don’t think even at the track I could drive this thing at the limit.

[bmwdrive]

Looks good to me. But the interior is a bit spaceship. Porsche interiors IMO are a better balance of technology while still making the car driver focused.

Why do steering wheels have to be square now?

[icpee]

Holy Cow!!

I love the look of this thing. The front looks menacing and the wide rear aches and box design.
The E30 of the modern era

[buckybadger]

Wow. Nice!

[Chihuahua]

What a shame this chassis isn't the one going into production. The proportions are spot on.

[Mg.]

Looks rad. Love the proportions. With only the rear looking a bit off. I think this is due to both to the camouflage and the rear lights being integrated in the ducktail spoiler. If this is a preview of what to expect for the upcoming i(M)3 and i(M)4 then consider me excited.

Also genuinely surprised how 'compact' this vehicle looks. I welcome cars getting smaller again!

Biggest off putting thing is the dumb ipad as the middle console. This shit is consistently one of the dumbest decisions in car interior design history.

[Nahlem]

Oh god the size is just SPOT ON! THIS ! I WANT THIS! so freaking cool, i am so exited for BMW M even if am never ever going to be able to buy one of this monsters because then wifey will probably divorce me but still! Looking good so exited for Neue Klasse.

[thaalrasha]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Wtf does this mean?

It's a test mule for the electronics and drivetrain then i suppose... Not sure if they are going to make an M3 that'll look similar or if it's just a one off concept.

[Schn3ll]

Nothing says driving excitement and ultimate driving machine like “supercomputer controlling everything”

What a joke this thing is.

[fs1977]

So, interesting developments. Slowly but surely EV cars are getting some character and becoming more and more interesting as driving machines instead of A to B vehicles. Recently the small Alpine A290, Alfa Romeo Milano Veloce and Hyundai Ioniq 5 N all demonstrate (although each in their own way) that driving pleasure is something you can also find in or add to an EV. That means all new possibilities for new M cars with loads of Freude am Fahren also.

[Needsdecaf]

Originally Posted by forcefed

Wtf does this mean?

It means that this is purely a design concept in terms of styling, interior layout, etc, but is essentially a prototype powertrain mule underneath and the control module (aka heart of joy) which they are designing is headed for production in the next EV cars.

[Needsdecaf]

First of all, everyone who's anti EV can calm down. The ICE M Cars aren't going anywhere for a while. Maybe keep an open mind and, I don't know, TRY it?

Second of all, if you're not an EV fan (and possibly even if you are but aren't super nerdy) I don't think you understand what kind of shift change this represents for BMW and auto manufacturers as a whole.

See one of Tesla's biggest contributions to automotive, aside from proving that EV's could be cool and desirable, is vertical integration. Watching the first half of this Inevitable podcast with Ali Javidan, one of the first people at Tesla, explain it is a good way to digest the info quickly. Here's a video timecoded to the start of the discussion however I'd recommend watching the whole thing:

As he explains, vertical integration is such a huge game changer. Want to know why? Listen to Jim Farley explain the mess that having separate control modules made by separate suppliers creates:

https://youtube.com/shorts/HrNN6goQe...8Odm0LqGoRDKKE

Essentially:

1. The control module suppliers own the IP for the control software.
2. None of the modules are designed to talk to each other
3. Getting them to talk to each other is a process and slows down communications.
4. Trying to make updates, whether it be in person or heaven forbid OTA, is a nightmare. Why do you think only Tesla, Rivian and Lucid make any kind of significant OTA's?

Bottom line is that if you've ever driven a Tesla for any amount of time and stopped simply gawking at the instant acceleration and focused on just how well integrated every piece of software especially at a drivetrain and body control level, you'd realize how much Tesla does with so little. Because by in large the parts that the car is made from aside from the propulsion system, is pretty crap.

Imagine then what BMW, whose cars are decidedly NOT crap, could do if they had access to a fully vertically integrated powertrain including all the software? How well you could get the car to perform when all the software is talking to each other?

The car feels like a normal car. Only with absolutely INSTANT drivetrain response. I love all the comments here that say "oh, naturally aspirated is amazing and forced induction is laggy". Well compared to a naturally aspirated ICE engine, the response from an EV makes a GT3 RS seem like a diesel truck.

Excited to see how this manifests itself.

[supershaft]

They would have to bundle the rtx 5090 to get me to buy this thing