BMW has taken its new iX3, sprinkled it with M magic and apparently decided that sensible electric SUVs should be capable of behaving like lunatics.

The iX3 M60 xDrive: the fastest, most powerful version of BMW’s new-generation electric SUV, and the first M Performance model built on the Neue Klasse platform.

It has two motors producing a frankly silly 612hp and 875Nm, enough to propel this substantial SUV from 0–62mph in just 3.9 seconds. Its top speed is 149mph. And yet, somehow, it can travel up to 468 miles on a charge.

That’s the clever bit. Beneath the rather shouty exterior – complete with M Yellow Lights, 21-inch wheels and enough illuminated BMW kidney grille action to be visible from orbit – sits BMW’s new Gen6 electric architecture.

There’s an 800-volt system, up to 400kW charging and a 108.7kWh usable battery. Ten minutes plugged into a suitable charger can add up to 211 miles of range.

But this isn’t merely a fast iX3 with some badges glued on.

BMW has fitted adaptive M suspension, sport steering, an electronically controlled M Sport differential and a new “Heart of Joy” computer that processes driving inputs ten times faster than previous systems.

Inside, it gets M Sport seats, a 17.9-inch central display, BMW Panoramic Vision and buttons for Boost and M modes.

So yes, it’s an electric SUV. But with 612hp, 3.9 seconds to 62mph and an M differential, BMW clearly wants you to forget the bit about practicality and concentrate on the noise – even if most of it is digital.