BMW has unveiled the new gasoline model of the 3 Series, with a high-performance M350 xDrive version featuring a six-cylinder engine available for the South African market. This model will arrive in the first quarter of 2027, coinciding with the launch of the latest sedan generation.
The new 3 Series utilizes BMW's Neue Klasse design language, which was first introduced on recent electric models, while retaining gasoline powertrains equipped with 48V mild-hybrid technology.
Model Specifications
The flagship of the lineup will be the BMW M350 xDrive, which combines a 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder gasoline engine with a 48V mild-hybrid system and all-wheel drive. This engine produces 326 kW of power and 580 Nm of torque, allowing the M350 xDrive to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in a claimed 4.1 seconds. The model is also equipped with Drift Moment functionality, enabling the driver to direct engine power to the rear wheels via the central display settings.
In addition to the M350 xDrive, a four-cylinder BMW 320 will be offered in South Africa. It features a 2.0-liter turbocharged gasoline engine with 48V mild-hybrid support, producing 155 kW and 330 Nm. Both models use an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission, and the M350 xDrive comes with xDrive all-wheel drive.
The new 3 Series features an increased wheelbase, short overhangs, a lowered body, and more pronounced wheel arches. The door handles, which fit snugly into the body, automatically extend upon unlocking the vehicle. The front end fully adheres to the Neue Klasse style, where the signature BMW grille and dual headlights are integrated into a single visual element, and the rear section features predominantly horizontal lighting elements.
Interior and Technology
The interior of the new 3 Series embodies the Neue Klasse approach, centered around the BMW Panoramic iDrive system. This system includes an optional 3D Head-Up Vision display, a 17.9-inch central display, and a redesigned multifunction steering wheel. The system operates on BMW Operating System X, based on the Android Open Source Project, and is designed for regular software and feature updates. Furthermore, it incorporates the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which utilizes Amazon Alexa+ AI technology.
BMW states that the new 3 Series will be equipped with a range of standard and optional driver assistance systems, including SAE Level 2 functions for partial automation of driving and parking. The new generation of 3 Series also shares its core technological architecture with the fully electric BMW i3, which was previously introduced as the first electric 3 Series on the Neue Klasse platform. The i3 50 xDrive model will also be offered in South Africa alongside the gasoline variants.
The electric i3 uses BMW's sixth-generation eDrive technology, including an 800-volt electrical architecture and cylindrical battery technology. For the internal combustion engine models, BMW asserts that its latest TwinPower Turbo engines have been developed to work with the 48V mild-hybrid system.
Production of the new BMW 3 Series will take place at the BMW Group Plant Dingolfing in Germany, while the fully electric i3 is assembled at the company's plant in Munich. The BMW 320, M350 xDrive, and i3 50 xDrive models are scheduled to arrive in South Africa in the first quarter of 2027. BMW notes that final specifications for local versions will be confirmed closer to their release. A plug-in hybrid version of the 3 Series is also planned for release within the next year.