BMW is preparing the next combustion-engined 3 Series, and for enthusiasts the most important news is simple: the straight-six survives.
During final summer development work at the Miramas proving ground in southern France, BMW confirmed that the new G50-generation 3 Series will sit alongside the electric i3 rather than being replaced by it. The combustion range will include four- and six-cylinder engines, both supported by 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.
The M Performance car gets more serious
The range-topping M350 xDrive uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six producing 437 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. BMW quotes 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, with xDrive all-wheel drive and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
More interesting than the headline numbers is a new feature called Drift Moment. BMW says the system can send engine power fully to the rear wheels at the press of a button. It is planned to become available during 2027, including by remote software activation on cars delivered earlier.
Why this matters
The 3 Series has spent decades balancing daily usability with rear-drive character. In a market where many manufacturers are simplifying powertrain choices, BMW is taking a parallel-route approach: a fully electric i3 and a new combustion 3 Series sharing the same broader design language.
That should matter to buyers who still want a compact sports saloon with a six-cylinder engine but also want the newest BMW interface and chassis technology. It also gives the M Performance version a clearer enthusiast identity before the full M3 enters the conversation.
The prototypes remain heavily camouflaged, but BMW says the new cars adopt the Neue Klasse design language and Panoramic iDrive with Operating System X. Production of the M350 xDrive is scheduled to start in the second half of 2026.
Autoniusy view: keeping the inline-six is the important part. The drift function will generate headlines, but the long-term appeal will come from whether BMW can preserve the steering feel, proportions and everyday usability that made the 3 Series a benchmark in the first place.
Source: BMW Group PressClub, September 2026.
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