2028 BMW M3 EV to sound like a turbo six

BMW M has alluded to the upcoming M3 EV having a Hyundai Ioniq 5 N-style virtual transmission and synthetic engine noise, though not all is quite as it seems.

The bombshell revelation was dropped at the end of the latest BMW M Electrified episode when M’s head of user experience and powertrain drivability, Stefan Erler, supposedly allows M engineer Carsten Wolf to open up what’s meant to be an M3 EV prototype.

We’re greeted with a classic, albeit synthesised BMW six-cylinder soundtrack and some healthy turbo spool which is promptly followed by some giggles from the engineers as the turbo(s) come on-song and the aural drama intensifies.

The fact they’re also pushed back in their seats adds to the sense of performance and fun, but look closely and you’ll note the footage isn’t entirely genuine.

As the ‘engine’ hits it power band and the car launches down the track, you can see an editing error in which Erler and the entire rear seat subtly move up and to the viewer’s right before slowly drifting back to their original position, revealing the clip to be two separate pieces of footage sewn together.

This kicks the hornet’s nest of speculative possibilities, but the implications are clear: the M3 EV will have a synthetic straight six soundtrack and a virtual transmission – Wolf has is hand hovering over a shift paddle as the revs build a bit too quickly for a traditional single-speed synthetic soundtrack.

Just before the clip rolls, Erler says “the driving experience is shaped by what I hear, what I see, how I move in my surroundings” – the key word being ‘hear’.

“This creates a strong connection to the machine,” he said.

More fuel is added to the fire when comments made by BMW M customer, brand and sales vice president Sylvia Neubauer at the recent Australian launch of the latest M5 are factored in, promising the M3 EV to be a true M car.

“I can reassure you the driving experience with this car is typically M and that the car comes with a fully electric engine, that gives a lot of performance while you are still fully in control and you can really trust the car, and it's very agile, very dynamic; typical M car,” she said.

We’ll have answers soon enough given the Erler/Wolf clip was followed by dramatic ‘to be continued…’ text as the video came to a close.

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