BMW has revealed the eighth-generation 3 Series, bringing a new generation of petrol-powered executive saloon designed to sit alongside the fully electric BMW i3. Leading the range is the new BMW M350 xDrive, which produces 437bhp and can accelerate from 0-62mph in just 4.1sec.
The new BMW 3 Series is scheduled to arrive in the UK in early 2027, with production beginning in November. The saloon will launch first, followed by a BMW 3 Series Touring estate later in 2027.
Although the new 3 Series and i3 share BMW’s latest design language and much of their electronic architecture, the two cars are built on fundamentally different platforms. The electric i3 uses BMW’s Neue Klasse architecture, while the combustion-engined 3 Series continues with an evolution of the company’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform.
That distinction is significant because BMW is attempting to make its petrol, hybrid and electric models feel increasingly like members of the same family rather than separate generations of technology.
BMW M350 xDrive becomes the new 3 Series performance flagship
The headline model at launch is the BMW M350 xDrive, priced from £66,785 in the UK.
Under its bonnet is a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six petrol engine supported by a small electric motor integrated into the eight-speed automatic transmission. Combined output is 437bhp and 428lb ft of torque.
The petrol engine itself produces 420bhp and 388lb ft, while the integrated electric motor contributes an additional 17bhp.
That represents a substantial step forward compared with the outgoing BMW M340i xDrive. The previous model developed 369bhp and 369lb ft, meaning the new M350 gains 68bhp and 59lb ft.
BMW says the M350 xDrive can accelerate from 0-62mph in 4.1sec, while its top speed is electronically restricted to 155mph.
Interestingly, the petrol-powered M350 xDrive is actually quicker to 62mph than the more powerful four-wheel-drive BMW i3 50 xDrive. The electric model produces 463bhp and 476lb ft from its two electric motors, but requires 4.7sec to reach 62mph.
The difference comes down largely to weight, with the combustion-engined 3 Series carrying considerably less mass.
The M350 therefore occupies an interesting position in BMW’s performance line-up. It is more powerful than the previous-generation M3 and, at least in straight-line acceleration, gets close to the performance offered by the range-topping electric i3.
A new version of BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system is also introduced, with a Drift Moment function scheduled to become available during 2027. The system will be capable of sending the engine’s power exclusively to the rear wheels, giving the M350 a more playful rear-drive character when conditions and circumstances allow.
The M350 will remain the most performance-focused version of the new 3 Series until the arrival of the next-generation full BMW M3.
New BMW 320 expected to be the UK volume seller
While the M350 xDrive grabs the headlines, BMW expects the rear-wheel-drive 320 to account for the majority of UK sales.
Priced from £44,975, the BMW 320 uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance.
It produces 208bhp and 243lb ft and is paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW quotes a 0-62mph time of 7.4sec and a top speed of 149mph.
A 318 with 154bhp and 184lb ft will also be offered in European markets, although the exact UK range will be more restricted.
Diesel versions remain part of the broader European 3 Series line-up, but they are unlikely to return to Britain after BMW withdrew diesel versions from the UK market in 2024.
A plug-in hybrid version is also planned and will arrive in 2027, adding another powertrain option to BMW’s increasingly diversified 3 Series range.
BMW 3 Series adopts Neue Klasse-inspired styling
Although the new petrol-powered BMW 3 Series does not use the Neue Klasse platform, its styling has been heavily influenced by the electric i3.
BMW has created a much closer visual relationship between its combustion-engined and electric models. The new 3 Series features a broad horizontal front-end graphic incorporating the traditional BMW kidney grille and twin headlights.
The result is a more unified appearance across BMW’s next generation of cars.
The new car also adopts flush-fitting door handles, traditional cab-back proportions, pronounced rear haunches and slim horizontal rear lights.
The dimensions have increased slightly compared with the outgoing G20-generation 3 Series.
The new combustion-engined 3 Series measures:
- Length: 4,765mm
- Width: 1,850mm
- Height: 1,455mm
- Wheelbase: 2,880mm
It is therefore 52mm longer than its predecessor, while the wheelbase has increased by 9mm.
The electric BMW i3 is subtly different in its proportions. It is slightly shorter but 15mm wider and 25mm taller, while its wheelbase is also marginally longer.
Despite the differences beneath the skin, the visual similarities between the two models are deliberate. BMW wants customers to immediately recognise both cars as members of the same 3 Series family.
M350 xDrive gets distinctive exterior details
BMW has given the M350 xDrive several visual features designed to distinguish it from the standard 3 Series range.
The performance model gets distinctive yellow daytime running lights, a subtle boot-lid spoiler and four exhaust tailpipes.
Customers choosing less powerful versions can still give their cars a more aggressive appearance through BMW’s M Sport packages.
The M Sport package adds redesigned bumpers, side skirts and a rear diffuser, along with blue M Sport brake callipers.
The M Sport Pro package takes the visual treatment further, adding black mirror caps, a black rear spoiler and red M Sport brakes.
This means the new 3 Series can be configured with a relatively understated appearance or given a much more aggressive look without stepping up to the M350.
BMW focuses heavily on chassis improvements
The biggest changes to the new 3 Series are not necessarily visible from outside.
BMW has extensively reworked the chassis, giving the petrol-powered model its own front suspension geometry and a revised five-link rear suspension.
The rear suspension also benefits from increased wheel camber, while BMW has stiffened the chassis mounting points and revised the anti-roll-bar mounting arrangement.
The objective is to improve the car’s combination of steering response, body control, ride comfort and high-speed stability.
Adaptive suspension will be available as an option, as will adaptive M suspension. Both systems use electronically controlled dampers capable of continuously adjusting their response at each wheel.
The changes should help the new 3 Series retain the dynamic character that has traditionally been central to BMW’s compact executive saloon, while accommodating the changing requirements of modern electrified powertrains.
BMW 3 Series and i3 take different technical routes
The most interesting aspect of the new BMW 3 Series is perhaps what lies beneath its familiar body.
The petrol model continues to use BMW’s CLAR architecture, while the electric i3 is built on the company’s Neue Klasse platform.
That means BMW has not simply converted the electric platform to accept an internal-combustion engine. Instead, the two cars have been engineered independently while being brought significantly closer together in terms of styling, interior presentation and electronic architecture.
This approach allows BMW to maintain combustion-engine technology while simultaneously accelerating its electric-car programme.
It also gives the company a way to keep the 3 Series name relevant across different powertrain technologies.
New BMW 3 Series Touring coming later in 2027
The new 3 Series will initially be launched as a saloon, with UK deliveries scheduled for early 2027.
A BMW 3 Series Touring estate will follow later in the year, continuing one of the most important body styles in the model’s history.
The Touring is likely to broaden the appeal of the new generation significantly, particularly among buyers looking for the driving characteristics of a BMW 3 Series combined with additional luggage capacity and everyday practicality.
Source: BMW