BMW’s Electric M3: Mixing V10 Soul with Nürburgring Grit

An electric M3 doesn’t sound as radical as it did five years ago. But BMW’s first battery-powered M3—codenamed ZA0—still has a long road ahead before it wins over purists. So the M division is pulling out all the stops, and they’re not hiding it.

Last weekend, ahead of Le Mans, BMW M released another behind-the-scenes look at the electric M3’s development. The video shows engineers blending recorded sounds from legendary combustion engines—the E92 M3 GTS’s V8, the F82 M4 GTS’s inline-six, and the E63 M6’s V10—into a single, cohesive audio signature for the EV.

Recording those engines is just step one. After collecting samples, the team moves into a studio to craft a sound that “grabs you” while also giving the driver real feedback about acceleration. One engineer admits the challenge is translating those studio ideas into the car itself. The sound needs to feel extreme enough to match the electric M3’s instant torque, but not so over-processed that it loses character. There’s a constant temptation to add more pitch and drama, but the team knows when to pull back.

The video also dives into Nürburgring testing. Frank Weishar, M’s Director of Dynamics, points to the punishing Pflanzgarten section, where cars often catch air and demand precise suspension work. Corner 35, he explains, requires full compression, hard braking, and an immediate steering input—all at once.

M CEO Franciscus van Meel says simulations already suggest the car will handle lateral G loads well. The video shows wheels being smashed and suspension parts drilled in testing. New axles and other hardware were needed to handle the EV’s power delivery. Tires are also a major focus, especially since there’s no heavy combustion engine over the front wheels.

It’s a fascinating look at how BMW M is engineering its most important car of the decade. And for now, they’re letting us watch every step.