- BMW reveals that it recorded engine sounds from three iconic M cars to give the electric M3 character and a sense of connection.
- The cars sampled were the E63 M6, F82 M4 and the E90 M3.
- The prototype in the new video sounds different from what we heard before, suggesting it could feature several switchable engine sounds.
Even when an electric vehicle is quick, the lack of engine sound can dull the sense of occasion. That’s why many performance-oriented EVs now feature synthesized acceleration sounds. Most of them are futuristic spaceship noises, but some, like the upcoming electric BMW M3, sample real engines for extra authenticity.
In an earlier video published by BMW’s Motorsport division, we hear what an electric M3 prototype sounded like inside the cabin. The sound was clearly a turbocharged inline-six, which we now know is the S55 from a previous-generation M4, as revealed in a video published yesterday.
The video also shows BMW-recorded sounds from an E90 M3, with its glorious-sounding S65 naturally aspirated V8 engine, and an E63 M6, whose V10 engine has an unmistakable bark. They show another interior clip of an electric M3 prototype accelerating, and this one doesn’t sound like the one in the aforementioned video—it sounds more like the M6’s V10, which suggests the electric M3 will allow you to choose from multiple real BMW M engine sounds.
Artificial engine audio is divisive, but BMW is at least grounding it in its heritage. You can hear what the prototype sounds like at the three-minute mark in the video, and it’s clearly different from the sound we heard before.
You will also be able to shift pretend gears in the electric M3 to try to mimic the driving experience of a combustion M car. Hyundai was the first manufacturer to bring this to market in a production EV, the Ioniq 5 N, which was met with mixed reactions. It’s arguably a gimmick—and it costs a bit of acceleration—but it adds involvement.
Mercedes-AMG is also doing something similar with its first-ever dedicated EV, currently known by its codename: the C590. I was lucky to get a ride in a prototype last year and it was surreal. It might have fooled me into thinking it was burning fuel if I hadn’t known what was going on. The AMG not only simulated the noise of a V8 very well (complete with vibrating seats to make you feel the overrun crackle), but the fake gear shifts completed the experience.
Gallery: BMW M3 EV On The Nurburgring
The first EV from Genesis’ performance sub-brand, Magma, also has a fake engine, this time pretending to be a turbocharged V6, like the unit Genesis puts in its combustion cars. The GV60 Magma does a very believable impression of a combustion car, much more so than the mechanically related Hyundai Ioniq 5 N, whose simulated engine noises are meant to sound a bit artificial.
Simulated engine sounds are older than you may think. I remember driving a Renault Clio RS around a decade ago, which allowed you to make it sound like several other vehicles (including a motorbike and a levitating car from 2038)—it was goofy but memorable. Nowadays, most combustion performance cars have some form of engine sound augmentation playing through the speakers, so it feels only natural for this to become a feature of EVs, which arguably need it more than vehicles with an actual engine.
BMW really wants the electric M3 to make a good impression since it remains committed to eventual full electrification when it will no longer produce gas cars. That’s still some ways off (especially given the EU no longer plans to ban the sale of combustion cars starting in 2035), but it needs to prove it can build an electric car that delivers similar thrills to its iconic combustion models. It seems to be going all-out with this model, giving it a quad-motor setup with advanced torque vectoring that should allow engineers to really tailor the handling.
The non-M i3 sedan will be officially unveiled this year when it also goes on sale and the hot version likely won’t be far behind. Besides, the i4 M50 (now M60) was BMW M’s best-selling vehicle for two years straight, showing that buyers are interested in buying electric cars with an M badge. All of the above considered, that’s why the electric M3 is the electric vehicle I’m most excited about in the near future.
