BMW M Just Built Its Millionth Car — And the Next M3 Will Be Very Different

BMW M has built its millionth car, and it’s an orange M3. The milestone comes at an interesting time for the performance division. While BMW celebrates its history with a familiar six-cylinder sedan, an all-electric M3 is getting closer to production.

The milestone car wears BMW Individual Fire Orange III paint and appears to be an M3 Competition.

BMW hasn’t shared its exact specs, but the regular M3 Competition uses a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder engine with either 503 hp or 523 hp, depending on the version. The all-wheel-drive model can hit 60 mph in 3.4 seconds, with a top speed limited to 155 mph.

The Munich factory where the car was built is also preparing for a change. From 2027, it will produce only electric vehicles. BMW is investing around €650 million ($732 million) in the plant, where production of the new i3 began in August. The electric M3 will be built there, too.

BMW has also released new pictures of the M3 EV prototype. It still wears camouflage, but we can see some changes from the concept shown in June. The production car has a simpler front bumper, a smaller splitter, and regular side mirrors. The rear is less aggressive, while the yellow headlight graphics, ventilated hood, and small rear spoiler remain.

BMW hasn’t revealed the power figures yet. The electric M3 is expected to use four motors, but its output is still a mystery. Rumors range from 691 hp to nearly 1,000 hp, so there’s no clear answer just yet. For now, BMW is keeping the details to itself.