- The most powerful version makes 443bhp and 580Nm
- Full engine line-up to be announced soon
BMW has moved the internal combustion engine-powered version of the next-gen 3 Series into the final phase of development, with camouflaged prototypes undergoing the last round of driving dynamics testing. The new 3 Series will be offered alongside the fully electric i3 and will continue with four- and six-cylinder petrol engines equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology.
The headline variant of the new ICE-powered 3 Series range will be the M350 xDrive. It will be the only version to use a six-cylinder engine, with a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six paired with a 48V mild-hybrid system.
The powertrain produces 443hp and 580Nm, with drive sent to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. BMW claims a 0–100kmph time of 4.1 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 250kmph. The M350 xDrive will also get adaptive M suspension, an M Sport differential and variable sport steering as standard.
The model is scheduled to enter production in the second half of 2026. One of the more unusual additions to the new 3 Series will be BMW’s ‘Drift Moment’ function. It allows the driver to send the engine’s drive entirely to the rear wheels, with the feature designed for controlled oversteer when the stability control is switched off.
BMW has not yet announced the complete engine line-up, specifications or launch timeline for individual markets. Since the cars are still development prototypes, official WLTP fuel-efficiency figures are also not available at this stage.
