BMW has revealed the eighth-generation 3 Series, the G50. It takes the look of the electric Neue Klasse but keeps petrol engines, now all with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, from the 156 PS 318 to the 443 PS M350 xDrive. Prices in Germany start at €49,900, production begins in November 2026 and the first cars arrive in early 2027. Alongside it comes the all-electric BMW i3, the same car in spirit but on a completely new platform.
New BMW 3 Series Price and Launch Date
BMW published prices for the main markets at the reveal on September 30, 2026. In Germany the range opens with the 318 at €49,900, the 320 costs €54,900 and the M350 xDrive €80,900 (Bimmertoday). In the UK the 320 starts at £44,975 and the M350 xDrive at £66,785 (Top Gear). American buyers get the 330 as the entry model at $51,250 including destination, and the M350 xDrive at $67,250 (MotorWeek).
| Specification | Price |
|---|---|
| 318 (Germany) | €49,900 |
| 320 (Germany / UK) | €54,900 / £44,975 |
| 330 / 330 xDrive (US) | $51,250 / $53,250 incl. destination |
| M350 xDrive (Germany / UK / US) | €80,900 / £66,785 / $67,250 |
| BMW i3 50 xDrive (Germany) | €65,900, First Edition €75,340 |
Production starts in November 2026 at BMW’s Dingolfing plant, with engines from Steyr in Austria (BMW Canada). Market launch in Germany and the US is planned for early 2027. The Munich plant, the traditional home of the 3 Series, switches to electric cars only, starting with the i3.
Neue Klasse Design on a Proven Platform
The G50 looks like a Neue Klasse car but is not one underneath. It uses an evolved version of BMW’s CLAR platform, while the electric i3 gets the new Neue Klasse architecture. For the first time, BMW sells two different 3 Series platforms side by side (BMWBLOG).
The design follows the i3 closely: a low, wide front where the kidney grille merges into the twin headlights (available with illuminated “Iconic Glow” contours), flush door handles that pop out when you unlock the car, and horizontal tail lights. The car has grown: 4,755 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,455 mm high on a 2,860 mm wheelbase — roughly 50 mm longer, 24 mm wider and 10 mm longer between the axles than the G20 (BMW Canada, BMWBLOG). Boot space is 450 litres.
BMW 3 Series G50 vs G20: What Changed
The new car is bigger, heavier and more powerful than the G20 it replaces, and it gives up a little boot space. The biggest jump is at the top of the range, where the M350 xDrive replaces the M340i.
| G50 (2027) | G20 (2019–2026) | |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 4,755 mm | 4,709 mm |
| Width | 1,850 mm | 1,827 mm |
| Height | 1,455 mm | 1,442 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,860 mm | 2,851 mm |
| Boot | 450 litres | 480 litres |
| Top six-cylinder model | M350 xDrive: 443 PS, 580 Nm | M340i xDrive: 374 PS, 500 Nm (EU) |
| Weight of six-cylinder model | about 1,815 kg (M350 xDrive) | about 135 kg less (M340i xDrive) |
| Infotainment | Panoramic iDrive, 17.9-inch central screen, no rotary controller | iDrive rotary controller; Curved Display from the 2022 update |
The extra width goes into wider tracks for better stability, while the longer wheelbase adds a little rear legroom. The trade-off is weight: according to Bimmertoday, the M350 xDrive weighs around 135 kg more than the M340i, partly because of the mild-hybrid hardware. G20 figures from Wikipedia.
Engines: Mild Hybrid Across the Range, No Diesel, No Manual
Every G50 engine works with a 48V mild-hybrid system and runs on the efficient Miller cycle. All versions use an 8-speed Steptronic automatic; there is no manual gearbox and, for now, no diesel. A plug-in hybrid follows in 2027.
| Specification | Output / 0–100 km/h |
|---|---|
| 318 (Europe) | 156 PS (154 hp), 250 Nm · 9.5 s |
| 320 / 320 xDrive (Europe, UK) | 211 PS (208 hp), 330 Nm · 7.4 s |
| 330 / 330 xDrive (US, Canada) | 255 hp, 400 Nm · 0–60 mph 5.9 s |
| M350 xDrive | 443 PS (326 kW, 437 hp), 580 Nm · 4.1 s |
The four-cylinder cars use a belt-driven starter-generator. On the M350, the electric motor sits on the crankshaft and adds about 17 hp of extra punch. Top speed is limited to 250 km/h on the fastest versions.
BMW M350 xDrive: The New Gateway to M
The M350 xDrive replaces the M340i and makes 69 PS more: its 3.0-litre B58 straight-six delivers 443 PS and 580 Nm, enough for 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. Adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering, an M Sport differential and M Sport brakes are standard. BMW positions it as an M Performance model and the entry point to BMW M, not a full M car (BMWBLOG).
The detail enthusiasts will like most arrives in 2027 as an over-the-air update: a “Drift Moment” mode that sends all the drive to the rear wheels. Quad tailpipes, a rear spoiler and, in Germany, M Yellow Lights complete the look.
Chassis: Still a Driver’s Car
BMW tuned the G50 at its Miramas test track in France. It keeps a double-joint spring-strut front axle and a five-link rear axle, with wider tracks front and rear and new anti-roll bar mounts. Lift-related dampers are standard; adaptive and adaptive M suspension are options. Wheels range from 18 to 20 inches, with staggered 245/35 front and 275/30 rear tyres on the 20-inch option (BMW Group).
Interior: Panoramic iDrive Replaces the Screens
Inside, the G50 adopts BMW Panoramic iDrive: Panoramic Vision projects information across the full width of the windscreen, an optional 3D head-up display sits in front of the driver, and a 17.9-inch free-cut central display, angled towards the driver, replaces the two screens of the G20. The rotary iDrive controller is gone. A new steering wheel brings shift paddles as standard, and the software runs on BMW Operating System X (BMW Group).
The Electric Twin: BMW i3 50 xDrive
The BMW i3 is the electric 3 Series, and unlike the G50 it sits on the new Neue Klasse platform. The launch model, the i3 50 xDrive, has two motors with 469 PS (345 kW) and 645 Nm, reaches 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds and has a 108.7 kWh battery for up to 912 km of WLTP range. Its 800-volt system charges at up to 400 kW, adding up to 400 km of range in ten minutes (BMW Group).
Production started in Munich in August 2026. In Germany the i3 costs €65,900, or €75,340 as a First Edition with M Sport package and 3D head-up display (BMWBLOG). US reservations opened on September 29 at $62,850 including destination, with deliveries in early 2027.
New BMW 3 Series vs Audi A5 and Mercedes C-Class
The 3 Series has two main rivals: the new Audi A5 saloon, which replaced the A4, and the facelifted Mercedes C-Class revealed in August 2026. On entry prices the BMW sits in the middle in the UK and is the most expensive in Germany:
| Entry model | UK price / power | Germany price / power |
|---|---|---|
| BMW 320 / 318 | £44,975 · 208 bhp (320) | €49,900 · 156 PS (318) |
| Audi A5 saloon | £41,950 · 148 bhp | €47,800 · 150 PS |
| Mercedes C-Class | £46,995 · 237 bhp (C 250) | €48,844 (C 200) |
Higher up the range, the BMW M350 xDrive (443 PS, £66,785) faces the Audi S5 (362 bhp, £68,700), which costs more for less power. The current C-Class no longer offers a six-cylinder engine at all. Prices from CarsUK, Carwow, Auto Express and MS Aktuell; check local configurators before buying.
Which New 3 Series Should You Buy?
- 318 (Europe only): the cheapest way into the new car at €49,900, but 156 PS and 9.5 seconds to 100 km/h make it a company-car choice, not an enthusiast’s.
- 320: the sweet spot in Europe and the UK. 211 PS and 7.4 seconds are enough for everyday driving, and it keeps rear-wheel drive unless you choose xDrive.
- 330 (US and Canada): 255 hp and 0–60 mph in 5.9 seconds. North America does not get the 318 or 320, so this is the entry model there.
- M350 xDrive: the one for drivers. 443 PS, 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, M Sport differential and the Drift Moment update in 2027. It costs €31,000 more than the 318 in Germany, but it is the closest thing to an M3 you can order until the next one arrives.
Why the 3 Series Matters: The Gateway to Sports Cars
No other car has introduced more drivers to real sports-car driving than the BMW 3 Series. Since the first generation left the Munich plant in 1975, BMW has built more than 18 million of them (BMW Group). The recipe has always been the same: a compact saloon with rear-wheel drive, a longitudinal engine, near-balanced weight distribution and precise steering. It is a practical everyday car that behaves like a sports car when the road gets interesting — and for many young drivers it was the first car that truly taught them how a chassis works.
That is also why the 3 Series became a legend on track. The first M3, the E30 of 1986, was built to homologate a racing car: BMW needed 5,000 road cars for Group A, and eventually made 17,970. It won the World Touring Car Championship in 1987, the DTM in 1987 and 1989 and the British Touring Car Championship in 1988 and 1991 (Wikipedia). Later 3 Series won the Nürburgring 24 Hours with the M3 GTR in 2004 and 2005, and Andy Priaulx took the World Touring Car title in a 320si in 2006.
Away from the factory teams, the 3 Series is the car that club racers, track-day drivers and tuners love most. Older generations such as the E30, E36 and E46 are turned into circuit cars, drift cars and project cars all over the world: they are affordable, easy to work on, rear-wheel drive and supported by a huge aftermarket. Many enthusiasts start with a 3 Series, learn car control on a track day, and later move up to an M car.
And the sports models still grow from this base. The M3 has been the performance version of every generation since the E30 — E36, E46, E90/E92, F80 and today’s G80, which even comes as an M3 Touring. Since 2014 the coupé and convertible carry their own name, the M4, but they remain 3 Series at heart. For the next chapter, see BMW’s electric M Concept Neue Klasse.
What Comes Next: Touring, M3 and Electric M
BMW has not officially announced the next M3 yet. Reports from BMWBLOG point to an all-electric M3 on the Neue Klasse platform in 2027, followed by a combustion M3 (G84) with a mild-hybrid straight-six that will not reach showrooms until 2028. Prototypes of the petrol car are already testing.
The estate is next. According to BMWBLOG, the electric i3 Touring comes first, built in Munich, and the combustion 3 Series Touring (G51) follows in the second half of 2027, probably from Dingolfing. Auto Express also reports the Touring as confirmed for 2027. Until then, the M350 xDrive is the sportiest new 3 Series you can order.
- November 2026: G50 production starts in Dingolfing.
- January 2027: first UK customer cars, according to MotoringResearch; German and US deliveries also start in early 2027.
- 2027: 330e plug-in hybrid, Drift Moment update for the M350, i3 Touring, electric M3 (reported).
- Second half of 2027: 3 Series Touring G51 (reported).
- 2028: combustion M3 G84 (reported).
New BMW 3 Series Specifications
| Specification | BMW 3 Series (G50) |
|---|---|
| Platform | Evolved CLAR, Neue Klasse design |
| Engines | 2.0L four-cylinder and 3.0L B58 straight-six, all 48V mild hybrid |
| Output | 156 PS (318) to 443 PS / 580 Nm (M350 xDrive) |
| Gearbox | 8-speed Steptronic automatic |
| Drive | Rear-wheel drive or xDrive all-wheel drive |
| 0–100 km/h | 9.5 s (318) to 4.1 s (M350 xDrive) |
| Top speed | Up to 250 km/h (limited) |
| Length / width / height | 4,755 / 1,850 / 1,455 mm |
| Wheelbase | 2,860 mm |
| Boot | 450 litres |
| Production | Dingolfing, from November 2026 |
| Price | From €49,900 (Germany), £44,975 (UK), $51,250 (US) |
New BMW 3 Series — Frequently Asked Questions
When does the new BMW 3 Series go on sale?
BMW revealed the new 3 Series (G50) on September 30, 2026. Production starts in Dingolfing in November 2026, and the market launch in Germany and the US is planned for early 2027.
How much does the new BMW 3 Series cost?
In Germany the 318 starts at €49,900, the 320 at €54,900 and the M350 xDrive at €80,900. In the UK the 320 costs £44,975. In the US the 330 starts at $51,250 including destination.
Is the new BMW 3 Series built on the Neue Klasse platform?
No. The petrol G50 uses an evolved CLAR platform with Neue Klasse design. Only the electric BMW i3 uses the new Neue Klasse architecture.
How powerful is the BMW M350 xDrive?
The M350 xDrive uses a 3.0-litre straight-six with 48V mild hybrid and makes 443 PS (437 hp) and 580 Nm. It reaches 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds.
Does the new 3 Series have a manual gearbox or a diesel?
No. All versions use an 8-speed automatic, and there is no diesel at launch. A plug-in hybrid follows in 2027.
What is the difference between the BMW 3 Series and the BMW i3?
The i3 is the all-electric 3 Series on the Neue Klasse platform, with 469 PS, up to 912 km WLTP range and a price from €65,900 in Germany. The G50 3 Series uses petrol mild-hybrid engines.
Why is the BMW 3 Series popular with enthusiasts?
It combines rear-wheel drive, balanced handling and everyday practicality. It is the base of the M3 and M4, a successful racing car since the 1986 E30 M3, and one of the most popular cars for track days and tuning.
How big is the new BMW 3 Series compared with the G20?
The G50 is 4,755 mm long, 1,850 mm wide and 1,455 mm high on a 2,860 mm wheelbase. That makes it about 46 mm longer, 23 mm wider and 13 mm taller than the G20, with a 9 mm longer wheelbase. Boot space falls from 480 to 450 litres.
When will the new BMW M3 arrive?
BMW has not announced it officially. Reports say an all-electric M3 arrives in 2027 and the combustion M3 (G84) with a mild-hybrid straight-six follows in 2028. Until then the M350 xDrive is the fastest new 3 Series.
Sources & Verification
Official specifications, design and interior from the BMW Group global press release (September 30, 2026) and BMW Canada (dimensions, production, M350 mild hybrid). German prices from Bimmertoday, UK prices from Top Gear, US prices from MotorWeek and Bimmerfile. Platform, M350 positioning and G20 comparison from BMWBLOG and BMWBLOG. BMW i3 data from BMW Group and BMWBLOG. 3 Series production history from BMW Group; M3 racing history from Wikipedia. Dimensions comparison with the G20 from Wikipedia and Bimmertoday; rival prices from CarsUK, Carwow, Auto Express and MS Aktuell; UK delivery timing from MotoringResearch. Future M3 and Touring plans are reports, not official BMW announcements.
