All New BMW 3 Series G50 officially launched: Neue Klasse language, still many gasoline engine options
BMW Group officially launched the 8th generation of the 3 Series, bearing the completely new code name G50. This is the first generation 3 Series to carry the Neue Klasse design and technology language. BMW still maintains two powertrains in parallel: pure electric with the BMW i3, and internal combustion engines with the 318, 320 and M350 xDrive. Particularly, the gasoline engine range has been drastically changed to reduce fuel consumption and meet increasingly strict emissions standards in Europe. Neue Klasse promises to give the 3 Series more than just a unique look. Comes with a new driving experience and the latest generation of BMW technology and equipment at the present time. The car will be produced from November 2026: i3 version in Munich, gasoline version in Dingolfing.
Appearance
The 3 Series G50 has a dynamic and bold design, unlike any previous 3 Series model. The car follows what BMW calls a "2.5-box" design, with a long wheelbase, short overhang and strongly shaped block sides. The i3 electric version and the gasoline engine version only differ in some details that reflect the type of powertrain.
The front of the car is pointed forward in a "shark nose" style, the BMW logo is placed in the concave area above the kidney grille. With the BMW Iconic Glow option, the kidney mesh has a bright border and three dynamic effects: Balanced, Relaxed and Excited. As the car owner approaches, a series of welcoming light effects starts from the outside and spreads into the cabin.
M Performance versions such as the M350 xDrive are equipped with standard M Yellow Lights, inspired by GT racing cars and the BMW M Hybrid V8. In Europe, this light only lights up at night when the low beam is turned on.
Viewed from the side, the glass compartment pushed back combined with the wide wheel arches creates a muscular and sturdy shoulder. The lines running along the body of the car are placed low, pulling the visual center of gravity closer to the road surface. The door handle is hidden, but will automatically pop out when the car is unlocked.
On the i3 version, the glass gasket is completely hidden, making the glass and body of the car seamless, while the ICE engine version still uses traditional edge trim. The gasoline version comes standard with 18-inch wheels and has the option of up to 20 inches. Particularly, the M350 xDrive comes with 19-inch M wheels model M1139 in Bi-colored Jet Black. The i3 version uses standard 19-inch wheels, with 9 alloy wheel models and aerodynamic wheels from 19 to 21 inches.
The rear of the car stands out with horizontally arranged taillights, with new three-dimensional light graphics and extending deep into the vehicle's shoulders. Each side includes two light blocks shaped in a familiar L-shape like on previous BMW models. The BMW logo is located between the two light clusters, while the wide rear wheel arches emphasize the sturdy stance of the sports sedan. The M350 xDrive has a rear spoiler and four exhaust pipes as standard equipment. At the time of launch, the 3 Series had a maximum of 11 exterior paint colors, of which the exclusive color was M Le Castellet Blue. BMW Individual colors will be added in 2027. The M Sport package brings the M aerodynamics kit with separate bumpers, side skirts and diffuser, plus blue M Sport brakes. The M Sport Pro package adds black mirror covers and spoiler, and red M Sport brakes.
In terms of dimensions, the Length x Width x Height are respectively: 4,765 x 1,850 x 1,455 mm, the wheelbase length is 2,860 mm. Compared to the previous generation G20, the G50 is slightly better in all dimensions, especially the length increased by 52 mm, width increased by 23mm, and wheelbase length increased insignificantly by 9 mm.
Interior
The G50's cabin carries the minimalist spirit of Neue Klasse, focusing on the driver. The lines running from the car door to the dashboard create a wrapping effect around the front seats. Panoramic sunroof with insulated glass and large glass panes keeps the space airy. The centerpiece is the BMW Panoramic iDrive system, which consists of four components. The first is the BMW Panoramic Vision screen, which displays information along the entire windshield. The second is the 3D Head-Up display (optional). Third is the 17.9-inch central screen tilted towards the driver. Finally, there is a newly designed multi-function steering wheel. Thanks to Panoramic Vision and Head-Up 3D, behind the steering wheel there is no longer a separate instrument cluster, basic information can be displayed right in front - an area that is easy for the human eye to observe. Users can drag and drop up to 6 widgets from the center screen onto Panoramic Vision. The center screen uses matrix backlight technology for sharp, high-brightness images in all lighting conditions. Similar to some models built on the previous Neue Klasse platform, the 3 Series' steering wheel has a central spoke in the upper half. The buttons on the steering wheel follow the "shy-tech" principle: the steering and parking assistance buttons only light up when they can be used. The M350 xDrive uses an M steering wheel with spokes at the 4 and 8 o'clock positions. All steering wheels on gasoline versions have gearshift paddles.
Standard electric front seats with memory position. Multi-function seats (optional) have adjustable back cushion and seat back width, with ventilation function on gasoline engine or massage function on i3 version. The M350 xDrive is equipped with M Sport seats with a glowing M logo on the back of the seat, visible from the outside of the vehicle.
The virtual assistant BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, called "Hey BMW", will gradually integrate Amazon Alexa+ AI technology, starting in the German and US markets. Thanks to that, users can chat more naturally and control the car without needing fixed commands. The Routines feature allows combining familiar operations for the car to perform automatically, for example turning on steering wheel heating, seat heating and glass drying at the same time in winter. When the car is parked, passengers can watch videos via the Video app (TiVo platform), and Amazon Prime Video will be added from the second half of 2026. The car also supports gaming via AirConsole (using the phone as a controller) and Boosteroid cloud gaming service with games like Forza.
The standard sound system has 7 speakers, capacity of 205 W (Hi-fi). The M350 xDrive is equipped with a Harman Kardon system, which supports Dolby Atmos for three-dimensional surround sound. Digital Premium package (optional) adds the following features:
Engine & transmission
In order to meet new emissions standards in Europe, BMW has drastically changed the engine's working cycle, switching to the Miller cycle instead of the previous Otto cycle. All gasoline engine versions are equipped with a 48V mild hybrid system, 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and the latest generation TwinPower Turbo technology. With the Miller cycle, the intake valve will close earlier than normal, helping to reduce losses and increase thermal efficiency, thereby significantly reducing fuel consumption. The engine has a compression ratio of 11.0:1 and only requires a minimum RON 91 gasoline. The engine is also compatible with gasoline mixed with alcohol up to E20. The new generation Valvetronic system adds a switchable exhaust valve, helping to reduce engine drag by about 66%. Thanks to that, the car recovers more energy when decelerating to charge the 48V battery. This energy source even allows the car to run purely on electricity for short periods of time. The intake and combustion chamber have also been redesigned. Camshaft timing, injection system, ignition and exhaust manifolds have all been fine-tuned.
The 320 version uses a 2.0L 4-cylinder in-line engine, combined with a 48V belt-driven starter generator. Power reaches 155 kW/211 hp, torque 330 Nm, an increase of 20 kW/27 hp compared to the previous generation. The car accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 7.4 seconds, maximum speed 240 km/h. The 318 starts with the same 2.0L engine, producing 115 kW/156 hp and 250 Nm of torque. This version only has rear-wheel drive, accelerating from 0–100 km/h in 9.5 seconds. Both villages consume 6.5–7.5 L/100 km according to the WLTP cycle. The M350 xDrive replaces the previous M340i and is the gateway to the world of BMW M in the 3 Series range. The car uses a 3.0L 6-cylinder in-line engine with a new turbo. The 48V electric motor is integrated in the gearbox, providing 13 kW of power and 200 Nm of torque. Total capacity reaches 326 kW/443 hp and 580 Nm, a sharp increase compared to 275 kW/374 hp of the M340i. The car accelerates from 0–100 km/h in 4.1 seconds, the maximum speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h. The gearbox is an 8-speed Steptronic Sport. xDrive all-wheel drive, M Sport differential and M Sport brakes are all standard. The highlight is the Drift Moment feature: when activated on the center screen, all traction will go to the rear axle, you can still easily perform and track performance similar to a high-performance rear-wheel drive car. This experience was previously only available on genuine BMW M models. Drift Moment will be available in 2027, including for already delivered vehicles, through a software update.
Chassis & suspension
The gasoline engine's body and chassis have been upgraded to improve both comfort and dynamism, notably BMW's switch to using a double-wishbone suspension system at the front. At the same time, the front axle increases the caster angle, reduces the camber angle and corrects the elastic kinematics. New multi-link/5-link rear axle setup with greater camber. The steering wheel has a new gear ratio, while the standard dampers change according to the travel. The overall diameter of the wheels increased from 654 mm to 680 mm, making the car smoother and better on the road. Customers can choose adaptive suspension or adaptive M suspension, both of which come with sports steering wheel equipment. The M350 xDrive is available with adaptive M suspension and two separate modes: M Sport and M Sport Plus. The body of this version is reinforced with front braces to increase torsional rigidity.
BMW i3 Sedan
The BMW i3 is the first pure electric 3 Series in history, using 6th generation BMW eDrive technology (Gen6) with 800V architecture. When launched, the car had two versions, both using two electric motors and xDrive four-wheel drive. The high-performance i3 M60 xDrive will appear in 2027. The car uses a new cylindrical battery cell, measuring 46 x 95 mm, with a volumetric energy density 20% higher than the previous generation prismatic cell. The cells are integrated directly into the battery block without going through an intermediate module (cell-to-pack). The battery cover itself also acts as the car's floor, making the car lighter, lower and the body more rigid.
The rear drive uses an electrically excited synchronous motor (EESM), while the front uses an asynchronous motor (ASM). According to BMW, compared to the Gen5 generation, energy loss is reduced by 40%, costs are reduced by 20% and weight is reduced by 10% thanks to changes on the new platform.
The i3's driving experience is controlled by the "Heart of Joy supercomputer", which processes 10 times faster than the previous system. For the first time, all drive, braking, steering, charging and energy recovery functions are gathered into a single controller. The Soft Stop feature helps the car stop smoothly using almost only regenerative braking. Adaptive M suspension with sports steering wheel is optional for both versions. The BMW i3 40 xDrive has a maximum capacity of 374HP and 520 Nm of torque, capable of accelerating from 0-100km/h in 5.4 seconds. The maximum travel distance (WLTP) that the car can travel with the 82.8 kWh battery pack is 710 km.
The i3 50 xDrive version has a maximum capacity of 469HP and 645 Nm of torque, capable of accelerating from 0-100kkm/h in 4.7 seconds. Maximum travel distance reaches 912 km (WLTP) with 108.7 kWh battery pack. Source: BMW Group Add images
