Let’s Talk About the Upcoming Electric BMW M3

Editorial: Let’s Talk About the Upcoming Electric BMW M3

By: Cristian Gnaticov

There was a time when BMW was all stuck to its roots both in terms of design and driving credentials, with the latter part applying especially to the M Division, which has signed some iconic models over the years.

One of the most famous is the M3, a sports sedan that takes on the likes of the Mercedes-AMG C 63, and all generations of this car are deemed dreamy by the petrolhead crowd. Nonetheless, I reckon that might not be the case for the upcoming iM3. But what is an iM3? Well, first and foremost, the name hasn't been officially confirmed, and second, it is the battery-electric version, or rather alternative, to the upcoming M3.

Set to be marketed alongside the gasoline-powered BMW M3 for the next generation, the so-called BMW iM3 will take a swing at the likes of the Tesla Model 3. I have covered a few prototypes recently that were caught in the open, and truth be told, I am not a fan of the design.

If you are aware of Kolesa's work, you know that their rendering artists tend to keep things very realistic, so for what it's worth, these digital illustrations are extremely close to the real thing. Up front, there is a new interpretation of the kidney grille, which is somewhat retro-ish and not that tall, proving that BMW sometimes listens to its clientele (ahem, current M3's and M4's bucktooth grilles).

The double kidneys morph with the new lighting units that have nothing to do with the so-called 'angel eyes,' and they seem to have illuminated strips on the outer edges. Further down, the bumper comprises vertical air intakes and a large central one.

The styling of the taillights is even more controversial, and the same applies to the snow plough-like rear diffuser. If anything, the car's back end looks like a mix between an old and a new vehicle, and that sounds better on paper.

If there is anything appealing about it, it is the profile, with its fat wheel arches and flush-mounted door handles. I’m hardly a fan of the latter, though I do have to admit that they look good on this imagined BMW M3.

Note: this is an abridged version of the article, for more see the full text on our site.

Driven: 2025 BMW M5 Touring – a 717 HP love letter to all performance wagon enthusiasts

By: Sergiu Tudose

In the world of high-performance station wagons, the all-new 2025 BMW M5 Touring is pretty much the hottest car on the planet right now. It’s got all the power you’ll ever need, aggressive looks, and all the practicality that comes with having this particular body style.

I think this is an easy one. If you like the G90 M5 sedan, then you’ll like the G99 M5 Touring as well. If you love one, you love the other, because this too comes with a factory-standard wide body kit, flexing those broader front and rear fenders in a bid to make room for wider tires.

You also get that ultra-aggressive front bumper with larger air intakes, the M-specific hood, new side skirts, that absolutely massive rear diffuser, M5 badging, plus the M Carbon ceramic brakes and M Carbon mirror caps – the latter two part of the Ultimate Package.

Regarding the color, remember the Isle of Man Green we had on our M5 sedan test car? I thought it rocked, but from a shock value perspective, it had nothing on this delicious shade of red called Rosso Corsa.

It means “Racing Red” in Italian, and it’s usually associated with Ferrari. It’s amazing how technically this isn’t a pearl or metallic flake hue (it’s a solid color) yet still looks very vibrant and glossy.

All things considered, I really like the looks of the G99 M5 Touring. It’s very futuristic, perhaps even more so than the sedan. Whether it’s better-looking than the RS6 Avant, that’s up to you guys to decide. I think color and wheel size play a big role.

Equally spectacular is the interior, with those Kyalami Orange and Black dual-tone Merino leather seats. It’s currently the most popular option you can get on the new M5, from an upholstery standpoint. As for seating comfort, it’s quite high, but make sure to find your ideal position.

Without even realizing it, I didn’t set them up to my exact “specifications” during my time with the M5 Touring, and my lower back started to hurt after a while – a problem I didn’t have on the M5 sedan, which had the exact same seats. It’s all about the setup.

Other interior goodies include the heated steering wheel, memory function for the seats, M seat belts, four-zone climate control, an interior camera, ambient lighting, wireless mobile device charging, dark silver M accents, active seat ventilation, roller sunblind for the rear side windows, and a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system, which is excellent to say the least.

In terms of boot space, the capacity in this Touring variant is a full 17.6 cu.ft (500 liters) with the backseat in place, and a maximum of 57.6 cu.ft (1,630 liters) if you fold everything flat. Plenty of space for ultra-long distance road trips, wouldn’t you say?

If you’d like to learn more about the 2025 BMW M5 Touring, including my full impressions, make sure to read the full review on our website.

Top 10 Most Affordable Electric Vehicles in the US Right Before the EV Credit Goes Away

By: Cristian Agatie

As the auto industry braces for the phasing out of the EV tax credit from October 1, carmakers bet on cheaper models to keep their customers interested.

Chevrolet is only one of the carmakers trying to fill the void Tesla left in the market when it canceled plans to build the next-generation compact EV.

Ford also enters the fray with several compact EVs based on an all-new EV architecture. Unlike other carmakers, Ford outsourced the development to a "skunkworks team," and promised to showcase the result on August 11.

Even though it abandoned plans for a compact EV, Tesla still works on a stripped-down variant of the Model Y. By eliminating all the unnecessary features, Tesla promises a much lower price point for its best-selling EV.

Carmakers are concerned that customers might shy away from buying an electric vehicle because of the higher price, and their concerns are a boon for buyers. Many electric cars sold now in the US are quite affordable, and some still have two months of $7,500 tax credit ahead to lure customers.

If you're in the market for a new, affordable, EV, I've got just the list for you:

1. Nissan Leaf S

2. Fiat 500e

3. Chevrolet Equinox EV FWD LT1

4. Ford Mustang Mach-E RWD Select

5. Hyundai Kona EV SE

6. …

For the full list and the reasoning behind the selection, please continue reading on our site.

Finally: DJI’s Amflow e-Bikes Have Landed in the U.S.

By: Cristian Curmei

For years, DJI has been known for crafting some of the most amazing drones the market has to offer. Over time, they moved on to video and audio gear, portable power banks, and most recently, e-bikes. While Avinox/Amflow have been sweeping across Europe for some time now, American riders have been left wanting. Until now.

This week, DJI made the big announcement that the Avinox e-drive system and the Amflow e-bike lineup are coming to the US. They’re currently available as we speak. But what does this mean for US riders? What does it mean for competitive brands already dominating the US market, and most of all, is it what we wanted?

First things first: two rides are available - the PL Carbon and PL Carbon Pro. Both of these rides are rocking the Avinox system and are built out of nothing but good old carbon fiber. From frames that weigh just 2.27 kg (5 lbs) to complete builds that weigh as little as 19.2 kg (42 lbs), Amflow seems to have just what MTBers have been looking for.

Big-brand secondary gear also make the Amflow PLs so attractive. I'm talking names like SRAM, which provides the drivetrain, Magura for braking, and Fox for suspension, just to name a few. But these components can be found on just about any e-MTB whose owner feeds it with enough cash. What you can't find on every e-bike out there is the Avinox, the heart of the Amflow.

Overall, the Avinox is known for spitting out a whopping 105 Nm (77 lb-ft) of torque while weighing no more than 2.52 kg (5.55 lbs). This makes it a bit lighter than most Bosch motors, but not all, and not quite as light as another rising star, TQ; their HPR 50 motor weighs just 1.85 kg (4.08 lbs).

Guess what, though? This isn't the maximum torque that Avinox can produce. DJI also included a boost mode into the Amflow's makeup, and even though it won't be a sustained kick, when it is active, you'll access 120 Nm (88.5 lb-ft) of torque and even peak the motor at 1,000 W. Without Boost, the motor offers 250 W (nominal) with a peak at 850 W.

For more info about Avinox/Amflow, continue reading on our site.

One of these Is not Like the Others (Spy Photos of the Week)

By: Mircea Panait

Expected to debut in September 2025, the successor of the SF90 has been spied in the form of a heavily disguised prototype with an SF90 XX-inspired strip of light-emitting diodes on its rear end. The roofline, mirror housings, and glasshouse are borrowed from the 296, which is hardly a surprise given their shared architecture.

Porsche has been a little busy this past week as well. The carparazzi spotted a mule of the 911 Speedster with the canvas roof from the 911 Cabriolet and plenty of 911 GT3 elements. The German company also threw in the front bumper from the 911 S/T. Because the GT3 is going either hybrid or turbo in 2026, hearsay suggests a similar powertrain for the 992.2-phase Speedster.

Merc was even busier, having fielded two electric models from the AMG division. The lesser zero-emission bruiser is the AMG CLA Shooting Brake with EQ Technology, a compact longroof with a high-mounted active spoiler and more than 500 horsepower to its name.

Those who prefer cheap-and-cheerful EVs over track monsters will be happy to hear that Renault is bringing the Twingo back as a five-door hatch. Twinned with the second generation of the Dacia Spring, the Twingo E-Tech carries over the bulging headlights and taillights of the concept from the 2024 Paris Motor Show.

Android Auto and Apple Carplay Get New Apps

By: Bogdan Popa

CarPlay users can now install Alarm.com on their iPhones to control their smart homes without picking up their mobile devices. Users can open garage doors or create scenes and automations to enable them from their infotainment screens. A neat automation we use here at autoevolution is turning on the air conditioning system 10 minutes before we arrive home, and everything can now be done from CarPlay.

Android Auto got NewPipe. If you've never heard of this app, you probably want to open your software encyclopedia right now. Here's a spoiler: this was one of the first apps that allowed users to keep YouTube running in the background on Android devices when Google started enforcing YouTube Premium for this functionality. The app is now available on Android Auto to listen to your favorite YouTube streams while driving.

Before we wrap up this week's tech stories, don't forget to try out Android Auto 14.9. A new version is now available for download, enabling Material You for most users.

Unboxing: 10 Semi-Premium Hot Wheels Diecast Cars

At first, I wanted to do two unboxing stories. The first one has already been online for a few days (Unboxing: 10 Entry-Level Hot Wheels Diecast Cars I Bought in July 2025). The second would have been a mix of Silver Series, Car Culture, and Boulevard Models.

But I had opened seven Silver Series collectibles, and they're more in the semi-premium zone as they don't have Real Riders wheels. And let's not forget that only some use a metal base. So I decided to open 10 more Hot Wheels to have two complete stories.

Here’s the full list of cars you can read about in the first of those stories (and look at in the photo gallery):

1. '18 Ford Mustang RTR Spec 5

2. '60s Fiat 500D Modificado

3. Mazda RX-7

4. Bugatti Veyron

5. 1966 Chevy Nova

6. 1996 Acura Integra GSR

7. Honda Civic EG

8. Nissan Skyline GT-R (BCNR33)

9. '71 Ford Mustang Mach 1

10. '99 Honda Civic Type R (EK9)

Note: for the full version of the text, including details about these cars AND the gallery of over 50 photos, see the full article on our site.