We've been pretty sure that BMW will launch its first electric M model, the M3, or rather iM3, next year. Now we have official confirmation. Buried in a long presentation by BMW Chairman of the Management Board Oliver Zipse, was a brief statement confirming the rough reveal timing for the model. You can read it below:"Our M GmbH is inseparable from BMW: The first fully electric M model will debut in 2027. Thanks to the technologies of the Neue Klasse, this M model will also excel on the racetrack, if desired."-BMW Chairman Oliver Zipse Speaking Of Racetracks Of course, Zipse didn't confirm that this vehicle would be based on the new i3, but we've seen BMW testing multiple variations of an i3-based M car for quite some time. In fact, as BMWBlog spotted, the automaker recently had the prototype out at the Nürburgring. YouTube channel Carspotter Jeroen caught it from multiple angles that you can see below.There isn't much that we can discern from the footage that we haven't seen before. It's obviously quite quick, and the wider body is impressive, particularly from the front and rear where the wider bumpers really stick out. Naturally, it's as silent as any other EV, save for the hiss and howl of the tires as it goes by. Later in the video, though, we do see one of the prototypes driving on normal streets near the track that has a fairly undisguised hood. It reveals the air vent nestled in the dip in the hood, which was hinted at with a purported leaked photo a couple of months ago. CarBuzz/Valnet The Combustion M3 Makes An Appearance, Too We've also seen spy photos of the combustion M3 that will show up at some time alongside the electric version. Toward the end of the video, we get a glimpse of what looks like the same prototype. It has the Neue Klasse nose, though the body seems to deviate a fair bit from the iM3, particularly at the back where quad exhaust tips appear. The sound eminating from those tips is also interesting. This M3 has a surprisingly deep note. We've been expecting a straight-six, and that still seems likely, but this almost sounds like a V8 to us. The car only shows up once, though, so it's hard to say with any certainty. What We Know About The iM3 and the M3. From the various prototypes BMW has shown, and even brought press to experience, we know that the iM3 will be packing some serious power. It will have four motors, one for each wheel, and they'll produces loads of power. A purported leak suggests around 700 horsepower, though BMW prototypes have produced as much as 1,300. Those motors will be supplied with an 800-volt battery pack that has a capacity of more than 100 kWh, and the iM3 will be able to shut off its front motors to provide a rear-drive driving experience if desired. It will likely be able to do so for efficiency reasons, too, such as cruising on the highway. BMW has also confirmed that simulated gear shifting and unique acceleration noises will be included.The combustion M3 will likely be outgunned by the iM3, but it should also be dramatically lighter, as it won't have a huge battery pack to carry around. As previously mentioned, it will probably still have a twin-turbo straight-six, and it may only get mild hybrid assist. Although, if BMW were to turn it into a plug-in hybrid, it's possible that the power gap could be closed somewhat, if at the cost of weight. It's not clear when we'll see the combustion model, either. So far, BMW has only revealed the electric i3, and not its conventional 3 Series counterpart. It could be that BMW is saving the combustion reveals for after the electric models'. So we might see it show up after the iM3 makes its debut next year. Regardless of the wait, we're eager to see the final products.