BMW is putting the final touches on the next-gen 3 Series sedan (G50) at the company's Miramas test facility in southern France. The development program follows extensive winter testing in Arjeplog, Sweden, and high-speed chassis calibration on the Nürburgring Nordschleife. Here's what we know so far.
While BMW unveiled its fully electric i3 sedan design earlier this year, the manufacturer is maintaining a dual-track strategy. The core 3 Series line will continue to offer four- and six-cylinder engines, updated with 48-volt mild-hybrid systems and styled around the brand's new Neue Klasse design language.
The new generation retains the traditional 2.5-box silhouette, characterized by a longer wheelbase, wider tracks front and rear, and shortened overhangs relative to the outgoing car. Weight distribution remains close to a 50:50 front-to-rear split.
Suspension hardware consists of an updated double-joint spring strut front axle and a five-link rear setup. Both axles utilize high-preload anti-roll bar mounts aimed at suppressing body roll under heavy cornering loads.
The standard passive setup introduces newly developed lift-related damping, while Adaptive and Adaptive M setups remain optional. Variable-ratio steering hardware and an upgraded integrated braking system have also been implemented. For the first time on non-M 3 Series variants, staggered 20-inch sports tires (245/35 R20 front, 275/30 R20 rear) will be available from the factory.
Rather than utilizing a unified electronic architecture across all powertrains, BMW has split its control systems based on the drive type.
EV Powertrains (i3): Features the "Heart of Joy" central processing unit integrated with the Dynamic Performance Control stack.
ICE Powertrains (G50): Utilizes a dedicated BMW Driving Stack handling transverse dynamics, dynamic all-wheel drive, engine management, and stability control.
Inside, the cabin adopts the Neue Klasse interior layout, centered around the BMW Panoramic iDrive setup running BMW Operating System X.
Occupying the top of the non-M lineup is the M350 xDrive, replacing the outgoing M340i moniker. It remains the sole variant in the range to feature a inline six-cylinder engine.
The range-topping BMW M350 xDrive is powered by a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, producing 443 horsepower (326 kW) and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm) of torque. Output is managed by an eight-speed Steptronic transmission driving an intelligent xDrive all-wheel-drive system that features a selectable rear-wheel-drive mode. This setup enables a 0–100 km/h (0–62 mph) sprint in 4.1 seconds, with an electronically limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph).
Standard equipment on the M350 xDrive includes Adaptive M suspension, an M Sport rear differential, and variable sport steering.
A notable addition to the M350 xDrive is a feature termed "Drift Moment." Activated via the central infotainment panel alongside DSC deactivation, the system completely disengages front-axle drive via the multi-disc clutch, routing 100 percent of engine torque exclusively to the rear wheels. This function-historically restricted to dedicated M GmbH products like the M3-will not be active at launch. BMW plans to roll out the feature in 2027 via Remote Software Upgrade for existing owners.
Production for the ICE-powered BMW 3 Series range, including the flagship M350 xDrive, is scheduled to begin in the second half of 2026.