Automotive
BMW is getting ready to roll out its next-generation 3 Series, and for enthusiasts worried that electrification might spell the end of the traditional sport sedan, there is some very good news. The familiar formula of four- and six-cylinder engines will live on, even as BMW introduces its fully electric i3 alongside the new 3 Series. At the top of the combustion-powered lineup will be the new BMW M350 xDrive, a replacement for the M340i that adds significantly more power while retaining one of the brand’s most celebrated ingredients, a turbocharged inline-six.
The headline number is 443 horsepower from a 3.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline-six paired with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. Torque climbs to 428 lb-ft, giving the M350 xDrive a substantial bump over the outgoing M340i. BMW pairs the engine with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission and xDrive all-wheel drive, resulting in a claimed 0-to-62-mph run of 4.1 seconds. Top speed remains electronically limited to 155 mph. Those figures put the M350 firmly in the territory enthusiasts expect from a modern M Performance model without stepping all the way up to a full M3.
There is more going on underneath than a simple horsepower increase. BMW says the M350 xDrive receives model-specific chassis tuning, improved torsional and vertical rigidity, adaptive M suspension, an M Sport differential, and variable sport steering as standard equipment. Optional 20-inch sport tires will also be available, with 245/35 rubber up front and wider 275/30 tires at the rear. The goal appears to be familiar BMW territory, giving buyers something that can handle weekday commuting without losing the playful character that has helped define the 3 Series for decades.
Perhaps the most interesting addition is a new feature BMW calls Drift Moment. Despite the standard xDrive all-wheel-drive system, activating Drift Moment through the central display sends the engine’s power entirely to the rear wheels. Combined with the appropriate stability-control settings, the system effectively transforms the M350 into a rear-drive machine when the driver wants a more entertaining experience. That kind of functionality has traditionally been reserved for BMW’s full M cars, making its arrival on an M Performance 3 Series particularly noteworthy. The feature will not be available immediately, though. BMW says it will arrive during 2027 through a Remote Software Upgrade, including for compatible cars already delivered to customers.
The rest of the new 3 Series lineup will continue to offer four-cylinder engines, also supported by 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. BMW is clearly trying to keep combustion power viable while improving efficiency through updated electronics, active aerodynamic elements, and new energy-management functions. At the same time, the sedan’s styling is expected to draw heavily from BMW’s new-generation electric design language. The combustion-powered 3 Series and upcoming electric i3 use different underlying architectures, but BMW appears determined to make them look and feel like close relatives rather than entirely separate products.
Production of the new BMW 3 Series is scheduled to begin during the second half of 2026, marking another major transition for one of the company’s most important nameplates. While BMW continues pushing aggressively into EVs, the 443-horsepower M350 xDrive is proof that the company is not quite finished developing fast gasoline-powered sedans. In fact, with considerably more power than the outgoing M340i, standard performance hardware, and the ability to turn an all-wheel-drive sport sedan into a rear-drive playground at the touch of a screen, the next 3 Series could give traditional BMW fans plenty of reasons to stick with an inline-six for a while longer.
Mike Floyd is a finance executive by trade and a car enthusiast at heart. As a CFO with a keen eye for detail and strategy, Mike brings his analytical mindset to the automotive world, uncovering fresh insights and unique perspectives that go beyond the surface. His passion for cars—especially his favorite, the Porsche 911, fuels his contributions to Automotive Addicts, where he blends a love for performance and design with his professional precision. Whether he’s breaking down industry trends or spotlighting emerging innovations, Mike helps keep the site both sharp and forward-thinking.
