The electric generation BMW M3 and M4 is getting closer.
BMW is pushing some clever and creative engineering in the development of an electric M3 and M4, and now our spy photographers have caught it in the wild. BMW has the quad-motor performance sedan winter testing, most likely to test the trick active differential system and the M car's torque vectoring system.
Why would a car with a motor driving each wheel need a differential system? Because BMW has figured out that having the option to drive the vehicle on a single motor will increase range, but driving it on a single wheel would be highly problematic.
The answer is to have the single motor drive an axle linking two wheels at one end, which means a differential is needed. We have more details on the slick system via a patent we found in February.
BMW's quad motor system has been buzzing around for a while now, initially thought to be a sign BMW is thinking about, finally, making another supercar. However, and at least for now, BMW is using the system to develop its first electric M3 and M4. BMW will be going for the quad-motor setup as an electric M3 will have to be something special to convert the petrol-power crowd. BMW won't say so, but we'll bet it'll take some satisfaction putting Tesla's Model S Plaid in its place as well.
Previously, we've only seen the prototype sitting in a trailer but now we get to see it in the wild and, by the look of it, with a driver having fun. It's based on the dual-motor i4 M50's body but with an M4 CSL grille and widened arches to cover a wider wheel track. We've wondered if it might actually be a production-ready M division i4 that could slot in above the i4 M60, but that already makes 610 horsepower, and BMW has to look to the future and preserve the evolution, and ultimately the legacy of the M3.
Through whispers in dark corners, we've heard horsepower numbers of 1,000 and 1,200. If those numbers are true, BMW will like hold that back for a supercar. It would be too much for a street-based sedan - even an M3 or M4.
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