BMW’s M division has revealed the clearest look yet at what its electric performance cars will look like – and, judging by the new BMW M Concept Neue Klasse, subtle is not the word we’re looking for.Revealed at the 24 Hours of Le Mans last weekend, the concept is a preview of the design language BMW’s famous M division will use as it heads into an all-electric future. It also gives us a good idea of the thinking behind future fast BMWs: dramatic looks, clever aerodynamics, lots of motorsport references and some serious electric hardware underneath.BMW says the concept is about linking the brand’s racing past with its electric future, sticking with the familiar M line of “Born on the racetrack. Made for the streets.” And there’s no missing the racing influence here, from the huge wheelarches and chunky stance to the low front end, big rear diffuser and ducktail spoiler.The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse looks even more dramatic at the rear with a huge diffuser and pronounced ducktail spoiler (BMW)“The new BMW M design language forms the expressive spearhead of the Neue Klasse – determined and purposeful,” said Oliver Heilmer, Head of Design for BMW Compact Class, Neue Klasse and BMW M. “At BMW M, form consistently follows function. Every detail serves performance. This project is truly special to me because it carries the BMW M character into a new era.”At the front, the BMW M Concept Neue Klasse gets a sharp “shark nose” look, with the headlights and kidney grille brought together as one unit. There are also new yellow light elements, which BMW says will become a new signature feature for future BMW M cars. They’re a nod to GT racing cars as well as BMW’s M Hybrid V8 endurance racer.The front bumper gets what BMW calls a trimaran-style design, inspired by high-speed sailing boats. In more normal language, it means a three-part front end that looks very technical and helps support the front splitter. There are also new 3D “Track Lights” in the outer edges of the front bumper, which are repeated at the back.The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse features the latest tech also found in the new iX3 and i3 including Panoramic iDrive, but all with an M twist (BMW)The rear is just as dramatic, with the Track Lights framing the diffuser and that ducktail spoiler sitting above. BMW says the spoiler helps improve aerodynamics and adds downforce at the rear axle, while also giving the car a cleaner, sharper look.There’s plenty of clever material work, too. Natural fibre is used inside and out, including for the front splitter, bonnet air outlet and diffuser. BMW says it is using natural fibre not just in its raw form, but also in a more finished style with M branding in the roof graphic.The concept is painted in a new Monza Red metallic, with red-and-blue centre-lock wheels to hammer home the M and motorsport link. It is, in every possible way, not shy.Inside, the cabin is stripped back and focused on the driver. There are four new bucket seats, designed to hold passengers in place during hard driving, with natural fibre materials built into their structure. The seats are trimmed in Bathurst Blue and Berry Red Merino leather, with red five-point belts intensifying the race-car feel.BMW is also using black nubuck leather in an M car for the first time, on the steering wheel, door panels and roll bar. The dashboard has a floating design, is finished in black knit material and features M-specific hexagonal lighting. Red details appear on the M gear selector, steering wheel paddles and digital displays.The BMW M Concept Neue Klasse uses an advanced four motor propulsion system and a battery over 100kWh in size (BMW)Underneath, the concept uses BMW M eDrive, a four-motor electric system developed specifically for future all-electric M cars. It works with BMW M Dynamic Performance Control and the company’s “Heart of Joy” high-performance computer, which we first saw on the new BMW iX3, to control the drivetrain and braking systems at each wheel.“Even in the new all-electric era, we continue the M-typical tradition of transferring both technological innovations and defining design features directly from motorsport into series production,” said Franciscus van Meel, Chairman of the Board of Management of BMW M.The new M concept is based on BMW’s sixth-generation Neue Klasse electric tech, with 800-volt electrical architecture and a battery with more than 100kWh of capacity. Without revealing too many specifications, BMW says the battery has been designed to deliver high output to the motors and strong charging performance, while its housing is built into the structure of the car to help driving dynamics.There’s no word yet on power, range, price or when we’ll see a production version. But this concept makes one thing very clear: BMW M’s electric future is not going to be quiet, even if the engines are.