BMW has released new details on the next-generation, internal combustion engined 3 Series, which has been revealed to feature four- and six-cylinder engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid electrification. Codenamed G50, the ICE-powered 3 Series will be offered alongside the battery-electric NA0 3 Series that is the 2026 i3.
Leading the regular 3 Series range is the M350 xDrive, packing a 3.0 litre turbocharged inline-six cylinder engine that outputs 443 hp and 580 Nm, sending drive to all four wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission. This propels the M350 xDrive from 0-100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, and top speed is 250 km/h.
These output figures are 56 hp and 80 Nm more than the G20-generation M340i xDrive that it will succeed, and is 0.3 second quicker along the 0-100 km/h sprint.
The M350 xDrive offers Drift Moment, a drift mode offered by the xDrive all-wheel-drive system that can send all of the engine’s output to the rear wheels while the dynamic stability control is switched off. Drift Moment will be made available on the M350 xDrive next year through a remote software update to vehicles delivered to customers.
As an M Performance model, the M350 xDrive gets specific chassis tuning as well as improved torsional and vertical stiffness, and will receive adaptive M suspension, the M Sport differential and variable sport steering as standard, says BMW.
Production of the M350 xDrive is set to commence in the second half of this year, says BMW. Meanwhile, joining the M350 xDrive will be a four-cylinder engined variant, and this can be expected to be of a 2.0 litre displacement.
Across the four- and six-cylinder variants of the G50 3 Series, suspension is by a double-joint spring strut arrangement in front and a five-link configuration at the rear. Relative to the G20, the G50 gets a larger footprint courtesy of a longer wheelbase and wider front and rear track widths.
In addition to the standard suspension setup, the G50 will be offered with the option of adaptive, and adaptive M suspension. Wheels are now up to 20 inches in diameter, on tyres measuring 245/35R20 in front and 275/30R20 at the rear.
The internal combustion-engined, G50-generation BMW 3 Series is expected to go on sale later this year following the BEV i3, and Autocar reports that UK market deliveries may being early next year.
BMW 3 Series
from RM267,800 
BMW iX3
from RM378,800 
BMW M3 Touring
from RM898,800 
BMW iX1 L
from RM252,800 
BMW iX
from RM425,800 
BMW X3
from RM325,800 
BMW M5
from RM1,200,800 
BMW M4 Coupe
from RM878,800 
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
from RM173,800 
Outdated before its even launched
Soon will be scraped due to intensive competition from Chinese products. Then like Honda, will cut cost to the extreme, incorporate chinese parts and supplies. Seesam–BYD BMW.
Communist china cars do not have much brand history and heritage. That worries consumers a lot including lacking worldwide back up , durability, robutness, toughness and parts availability for how many donkey years down the road can they continue to support each models with parts eventhough their selling prices are much lower compared to other legacy brands.
In contrast , other established legacy brands even some 35 years models are supported with parts availability for classic cars collection.
Buying any communist china cars could be a hit and run issues leaving behind weak residual value in the future. Furthermore, non communist china cars can be considered as collectors classic to everyone liking. Totally a waste of hard earned monies and in the end landed in the many scrap yards
However, Many legacy car makers with accumulated brands history, network establishments and heritage provide confidence to consumers