Tag Archives: M3

NEW CARS

2027 BMW M350 Brings 437 HP, xDrive and Drift Mode to the New 3 Series

BMW is preparing to give the next-generation 3 Series a serious performance upgrade. The new range-topping BMW M350 will produce 437bhp from a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six, making it significantly more powerful than the outgoing M340i while introducing a feature previously reserved for BMW’s full M cars: a dedicated drift mode.

Positioned below the next-generation BMW M3, the M350 is set to become the fastest and most powerful combustion-engined version of the regular 3 Series when it arrives. With all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission and a 0-62mph time of just 4.1 seconds, the new M350 promises to blur the line between a conventional sports sedan and a full-blown performance car.

BMW M350 Gets 437bhp From a Turbocharged Inline-Six

At the heart of the new BMW M350 is BMW’s familiar turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine. According to BMW, the engine will deliver 437bhp and 428lb ft of torque.

That represents a substantial increase over the outgoing BMW M340i, with the new model gaining 50bhp and 30lb ft of torque.

The M350 will be the only regular 3 Series derivative, alongside the forthcoming M3, to use BMW’s signature six-cylinder petrol engine. Other combustion-powered versions of the next-generation 3 Series are expected to rely on updated four-cylinder petrol and diesel engines.

The additional power puts the M350 firmly into performance-car territory while retaining the everyday usability that has long defined the 3 Series.

0-62mph in 4.1 Seconds

Power will be delivered to all four wheels through BMW’s familiar eight-speed automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

BMW claims the new M350 will accelerate from 0 to 62mph in just 4.1 seconds. That makes it only 0.6sec slower than the outgoing M3, despite the M350 being positioned below BMW’s full-performance M model.

Top speed will be electronically limited to 155mph.

The figures underline just how far the M350 has moved beyond the traditional executive-sports-sedan formula. With 437bhp, substantial torque and all-wheel drive, the new BMW will have enough performance to challenge some cars that previously occupied a much higher performance bracket.

BMW M350 Drift Mode Is a First

Perhaps the most surprising addition to the new BMW M350 is its drift mode.

For the first time, BMW will bring this feature to a non-M 3 Series derivative. Previously, the ability to deliberately send power exclusively to the rear wheels in a dedicated drift setting was associated with BMW M models such as the M3.

When activated, the system can direct all of the engine’s drive to the rear axle, making it significantly easier for the driver to induce and control a slide.

There is one catch, however. The BMW M350 drift mode will not be available from launch. Instead, BMW plans to introduce the feature through a software update scheduled for next year.

That approach highlights how increasingly important software has become to modern performance cars. Rather than requiring a hardware change, BMW can unlock additional driving functionality through an over-the-air update.

Steel Suspension Standard, Adaptive Dampers Optional

Despite its performance credentials, the M350 will retain a conventional steel-spring suspension system as standard.

Buyers will be able to upgrade to one of two adaptive damper systems. One will prioritize comfort and everyday usability, while the other will feature a firmer setup with BMW M branding and a greater focus on performance driving.

The choice could make the M350 particularly appealing to buyers who want a single car capable of handling both daily commuting and fast driving on demanding roads.

BMW will also equip the M350 with a staggered sports-tyre configuration. The front axle will use 245mm-wide tyres, while the rear tyres will measure 275mm across.

The wider rear rubber should help the M350 put its 437bhp to the road while also contributing to the car’s more aggressive handling characteristics.

New BMW 3 Series Launches With Petrol and Electric Power

The BMW M350 will form part of an entirely new generation of the 3 Series.

BMW is expected to launch the electric i3 first, followed by the combustion-engined versions of the next-generation 3 Series later this year. UK deliveries of the petrol-powered models are expected to begin in early 2027.

The strategy reflects BMW’s decision to develop the next 3 Series around multiple powertrain technologies rather than moving exclusively toward electric propulsion.

As a result, buyers will be able to choose between electric and combustion-powered versions of BMW’s iconic compact executive sedan.

Will BMW Bring Back the M340d?

One major question remains unanswered: will BMW introduce a successor to the M340d?

The previous-generation 3 Series offered the M340d, combining BMW’s performance-oriented M treatment with a powerful diesel engine. However, the chances of seeing an M350d—or an equivalent high-performance diesel—appear increasingly slim.

Diesel-powered passenger cars have continued to lose popularity in many European markets, while increasingly stringent emissions regulations are making high-performance diesel applications more difficult to justify.

The upcoming Euro 7 emissions regulations could further complicate the business case.

BMW’s decision to remove the “i” suffix from petrol-powered model names is also noteworthy. Historically, the “i” designation distinguished petrol models from diesel versions carrying a “d” suffix. Its removal could signal a broader change in the way BMW identifies its combustion-powered cars—and potentially the disappearance of some diesel variants.

Four-Cylinder Engines for Other 3 Series Models

While the M350 will retain BMW’s six-cylinder performance engine, the rest of the combustion-powered 3 Series range is expected to use four-cylinder powerplants.

These engines are likely to be updated versions of BMW’s existing B48 petrol and B47 diesel families, which are already used in the current-generation 3 Series.

This creates a clear hierarchy within the new range: four-cylinder engines for mainstream models, the 3.0-litre straight-six for the M350, and a substantially more powerful M3 sitting above them.

Next-Generation BMW M3 Will Offer Petrol and Electric Power

The arrival of the M350 is only part of BMW’s larger performance strategy.

The next-generation BMW M3 is expected to arrive in 2027 and will be offered with both petrol and electric power. BMW M boss Frank van Meel has already described the forthcoming electric M3 as the petrol-powered car’s “own natural enemy.”

The electric M3 is expected to use a quad-motor powertrain, giving BMW the ability to independently control the torque delivered to each wheel.

That could create a completely different approach to performance and handling compared with the traditional rear-biased dynamics of the combustion-engined M3.

For enthusiasts, the relationship between the M350, petrol M3 and electric M3 could become one of the most interesting aspects of BMW’s next-generation performance lineup.

BMW M350 vs M3: How Close Will They Be?

On paper, the M350 is already remarkably close to the outgoing M3 in straight-line performance.

Its 437bhp output and 4.1-second 0-62mph time mean that the gap between the two cars is considerably smaller than the model hierarchy might suggest.

The M3 will remain the more serious performance machine, with a chassis, brakes, aerodynamics and powertrain engineered specifically for BMW M’s highest level of road and track performance.

But the M350 could occupy an increasingly attractive middle ground. It promises near-M3 acceleration while offering the comfort, practicality and understated character expected from a regular 3 Series.

The addition of a rear-wheel-drive drift mode makes the comparison even more intriguing.

A New Era for the BMW 3 Series

The next-generation BMW 3 Series is shaping up to be one of the most technologically significant versions of the model yet.

The M350 combines a 437bhp turbocharged straight-six, xDrive all-wheel drive, an eight-speed automatic transmission, adaptive suspension options and—eventually—a dedicated drift mode.

More importantly, BMW is maintaining a combustion-powered performance option at a time when the automotive industry is rapidly transitioning toward electric vehicles.

The result could be a BMW M350 that serves as a final high-performance expression of the traditional six-cylinder 3 Series formula before electric power becomes increasingly dominant.

With the next M3 arriving soon and an electric four-motor M3 promising an entirely different approach to performance, BMW’s new 3 Series family could offer enthusiasts more choice than ever—while simultaneously marking the beginning of a major shift in what a performance BMW can be.

Source: BMW

News

2027 BMW M3 Keeps the Inline-Six Alive—and a Manual Could Survive Too

The next-generation BMW M3 is shaping up to be something increasingly rare in today’s performance-car landscape: a brand-new sports sedan that refuses to abandon its soul. As the automotive industry races toward electrification and tighter emissions regulations, BMW M is doubling down on the formula that made the M3 an icon—a turbocharged inline-six, a driver’s car philosophy, and, if all goes according to plan, a manual transmission.

2027 BMW M3 Isn’t Giving Up on Gas—or the Manual

Spy shots from the Nürburgring have already confirmed that BMW is deep into testing the next combustion-powered M3, but the biggest surprise isn’t hidden beneath the camouflage. It’s the fact that BMW M still sees a future for three pedals.

Speaking during the Goodwood Festival of Speed, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel made it clear that the manual gearbox remains an emotional cornerstone of the M brand.

“We intend to keep the manual as long as possible,” he said.

That’s no empty promise. In the United States—a market that has long embraced automatic transmissions—buyers are splitting M2 sales almost evenly between manual and automatic models. For BMW, that’s proof enthusiasts still crave the physical connection that only a clutch pedal and gear lever can provide.

Van Meel admits keeping manuals alive is becoming increasingly difficult. Suppliers are disappearing, modern driver-assistance systems complicate drivetrain integration, and mild-hybrid technology introduces new engineering hurdles. Still, BMW isn’t ready to surrender.

For a company that built its reputation on driver engagement, preserving that tactile experience matters just as much as chasing lap times.

The S58 Lives On

Perhaps even more important than the gearbox is what sits under the hood.

Rather than downsizing or adopting a plug-in hybrid setup like many of its German rivals, BMW is sticking with its celebrated 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged S58 inline-six. That’s becoming something of a statement.

Mercedes-AMG replaced its beloved V8 in the C63 with a four-cylinder plug-in hybrid. Audi’s latest RS5 also embraces electrification alongside its V6. BMW, meanwhile, is betting that enthusiasts still want an engine that delivers character before complexity.

Getting the S58 ready for Europe’s stringent Euro 7 emissions regulations wasn’t easy.

BMW engineers completely revised the combustion process using pre-chamber ignition technology—a system that creates a high-energy flame jet before combustion reaches the main cylinder. The result is cleaner combustion, improved thermal efficiency, lower emissions, and even the ability to run a higher compression ratio without destructive engine knock.

The updated engine also receives new variable-geometry turbochargers and enhanced cooling, allowing BMW to maintain the current M3’s impressive output of 523 horsepower while meeting tougher environmental standards.

Perhaps best of all, BMW says the revised engine produces an even richer induction note and a more aggressive exhaust soundtrack at high rpm—a welcome bit of good news at a time when many performance cars are becoming quieter and more filtered.

Cooling Is the New Horsepower

Making power isn’t the challenge anymore.

Keeping temperatures under control is.

Van Meel says sustained track performance remains a priority, forcing engineers to redesign the cooling system around larger intercoolers and more efficient airflow management. That’s one reason the next M3 prototype wears an unusually large front grille—not simply for styling, but because modern high-performance engines demand serious cooling capacity.

It’s a reminder that today’s performance engineering is often less about extracting another 20 horsepower and more about ensuring the engine can repeatedly deliver every one of its existing horses.

An EV Twin—Not a Replacement

The next M3 won’t exist in isolation.

BMW will sell it alongside a fully electric M3 based on the Neue Klasse architecture. Although the two cars will share nearly identical styling, they are fundamentally different beneath the skin.

The electric version will use a flat floor and advanced underbody aerodynamics, while the gasoline-powered M3 retains its quad exhaust outlets and traditional drivetrain layout. Aside from subtle aerodynamic differences and the larger cooling openings up front, they’ll look remarkably similar.

BMW isn’t positioning one as the successor to the other.

Instead, it’s letting buyers decide.

Some customers will choose the emotional appeal, mechanical soundtrack, and familiarity of internal combustion. Others will embrace the instant torque and new performance possibilities of electric propulsion. BMW believes both groups deserve an authentic M experience.

The Wagon Lives to Fight Another Day

For enthusiasts who refuse to compromise practicality for performance, there’s more good news.

BMW has confirmed that the M3 Touring will remain part of the lineup.

What began as a niche enthusiast favorite has become one of BMW M’s biggest surprises. The high-performance wagon has found unexpected success in China, while the larger M5 Touring has exceeded expectations in the United States—two markets that historically showed little interest in fast wagons.

For Chinese buyers, the M3 Touring is even more significant: it’s currently the only way to own a 3 Series wagon.

Car and Driver Take

The next BMW M3 could end up being one of the final great internal-combustion performance sedans—not because regulations demand it, but because BMW is choosing to fight for it.

While competitors chase electrification with increasingly complex hybrid systems, BMW is investing in making its inline-six cleaner, stronger, and more engaging without sacrificing what enthusiasts love most. The possibility of a manual transmission surviving into the next generation only reinforces that philosophy.

Yes, an electric M3 is coming. It may even be quicker.

But if BMW delivers on its promise, the combustion-powered M3 won’t feel like yesterday’s technology clinging to relevance. Instead, it’ll stand as a celebration of everything that has made the M3 one of the world’s benchmark sports sedans for nearly four decades.

And in an industry rapidly moving away from analog driving experiences, that might be the boldest move BMW M could make.

Source: Autocar

NEW CARS

BMW Sends the G80 Out with a Clutch Pedal and a Bang

BMW is closing the chapter on one of its most controversial modern M cars the only way it really knows how: with a limited-run special that leans hard into nostalgia, driver engagement, and just enough restraint to make enthusiasts argue about it for years.

Meet the BMW M3 CS Handschalter, a US-exclusive farewell to the sixth-generation BMW M3 and, more specifically, one of the last manual transmission M cars you’re likely to see in the modern era. It follows in the footsteps of the Z4 Handschalter in marking a quiet but definitive retreat from the six-speed manual in BMW M’s higher-output lineup.

At its core, this is still a CS model, which means BMW hasn’t simply bolted a clutch pedal into a standard car and called it a day. The Handschalter is 20 kg lighter than the regular M3, and up to 34 kg lighter when optioned with carbon-ceramic brakes. It sits 6 mm lower than the M3 Competition and receives the full CS chassis treatment: stiffer springs, dampers, and anti-roll bars tuned to sharpen response and reduce any remaining hint of softness.

Unlike the more familiar all-wheel-drive CS setup, this version returns to rear-wheel drive. That alone signals its intent. This is not the most secure, fastest-to-the-first-corner M3 configuration. It is the one that asks more of you—and gives more back when you get it right.

Power comes from BMW M’s twin-turbo inline-six, but in this application output drops to 473 hp, down 69 hp from the automatic CS. The reason is less philosophical than it sounds: BMW M limits torque and power on manual cars to preserve drivetrain durability. The eight-speed automatic can handle more abuse; the manual, not so much.

Even so, performance remains properly serious. BMW claims 0–60 mph in 4.1 seconds and a top speed of 180 mph, which places it firmly in “don’t mistake this for a nostalgia exercise” territory. It still moves like a modern M car should, just with an extra layer of mechanical involvement between driver and road.

Visually and tactically, it gets the full CS treatment: yellow daytime running lights, bold striping options, and a palette that swings from subdued black to louder greens, reds, and purples. Inside, carbon-fiber bucket seats dominate the cabin, reinforcing the car’s track-first identity while still pretending, at least faintly, that you might daily it.

At $103,750 in the US, it also sits in familiar CS territory: expensive, exclusive, and very deliberately positioned as the “final word” rather than a volume seller. Unsurprisingly, there’s no indication it will reach Europe, where the manual M3 has already been phased out in favor of automatic-only configurations since the G80 launched in 2020.

And while this car closes one door, BMW is already opening another. The next-generation M3 is expected next year, and for the first time, it will include a fully electric variant. That model will reportedly use a four-motor setup producing well over 1,000 hp, with software-designed “engine character” meant to replicate the feel and sound of a combustion M car.

Alongside it, a heavily updated turbocharged inline-six M3 will continue the combustion lineage, engineered to meet Euro 7 regulations. BMW M executives have even suggested both versions will be priced in the same general bracket, a move that signals just how seriously the brand is taking its transition.

So the M3 CS Handschalter isn’t just another limited-run special. It’s a closing statement. A reminder that, for all the talk of electrification and future-proofing, BMW still knows how to build a driver’s car that asks you to do the shifting yourself—one last time.

Source: BMW