BMW has revealed the new 3 Series, bringing a fresh design, new cabin technology, and a wider choice of powertrains. The biggest change is the arrival of the fully electric BMW i3, which joins petrol and mild-hybrid versions.
The range will also get a plug-in hybrid version next year, while the M350 xDrive sits at the top of the combustion-engined line-up.
Electric i3 Leads the Range
The new i3 will be available in two versions at launch, both with dual motors and all-wheel drive.
| Model | Power | Battery | Range | 0-100km/h | |
| i3 40 xDrive | 374hp | 82.8kWh | 710km | – | |
| i3 50 xDrive | 469hp | 108.7kWh | 912km | 4.7sec | |
The i3 50 xDrive supports 400kW DC charging and can add up to 423km of range in 10 minutes, according to BMW.
BMW also plans an i3 M60 xDrive for 2027.
M350 xDrive Gets Six-Cylinder Power
The M350 xDrive uses a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid technology.
It produces 443hp and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 250km/h.
BMW has also introduced a Drift Moment function that allows the driver to send power to the rear wheels for controlled slides.
New Design and Cabin
The new 3 Series gets a longer wheelbase, short overhangs, flush door handles, and a new interpretation of BMW’s kidney grille and headlights.
Inside, the major change is the BMW Panoramic iDrive system, which combines:
- 17.9-inch central display
- BMW Panoramic Vision
- Optional 3D Head-Up Display
- New multifunction steering wheel
The system runs on BMW Operating System X and includes the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and Amazon Alexa+ AI technology.
Production and Future Plans
The electric i3 will be built at BMW’s Munich plant, while the combustion-engined 3 Series will be produced at Dingolfing.
A plug-in hybrid version is expected to join the range over the coming year.
Also read: https://fly-wheel.com/range-rover-sport-electric-debuts-with-550hp-and-609-km-range/
Final Take
The new BMW 3 Series brings the nameplate into the Neue Klasse era, with the electric i3 offering up to 912km of claimed range and the M350 xDrive retaining six-cylinder power. The new design and technology also give the sedan a major update.
