- The new BMW 3 Series makes a brief appearance in an official video about the electric i3.
- Codenamed “G50,” the next 3 Series will be launched later this year.
- The camouflaged prototype is an M Performance model, likely the M350.
BMW is prioritizing the fully electric i3 over the gas-fueled sports sedan, but make no mistake: another 3 Series is on the way. In a new official video detailing the EV’s development, the German luxury marque slipped in a brief teaser of its ICE-powered counterpart. Codenamed “G50,” the combustion-engine 3er appears only at the very end.
It’s easy to miss, as the car is on screen for just a few seconds. The dead giveaway that this isn’t the electric i3 is the visible exhaust, with four tips poking through the rear bumper. While some might assume BMW is already teasing the next-generation M3, that’s not the case. For several years, Munich has fitted quad exhausts to M Performance cars, and now the 3 Series is making the switch.
Consequently, we’re likely looking at a successor to the M340i. It will probably carry a different name, as a 2027 M350 was briefly listed on BMW USA’s website ahead of schedule. The higher number suggests more power, while the absence of the “i” aligns with recent naming changes. In the future, BMW will reserve the letter for electric cars, dropping the suffix (originally referencing injection) across its gas-powered lineup.
The eighth-generation 3 Series is expected to retain six-cylinder engines in its top versions. This M350 variant is all but confirmed to use an evolution of the ubiquitous “B58,” a turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six that could produce more than 400 horsepower. The M Lite derivative should be among the launch models, given its premature appearance on BMW’s website.
A new gas-powered M3 is also in the works, reportedly carrying the “G84” codename. BMW has already confirmed it will keep all six cylinders while hinting at some form of electrification for the twin-turbo “S58” engine. The weight penalty shouldn’t be significant, as the next M3 is rumored to adopt a mild-hybrid setup rather than the M5’s plug-in hybrid system.
The M3 is unlikely to arrive next year, when the lesser versions are expected to hit the market. An educated guess points to a 2028 launch, potentially with a simplified lineup. While today’s “G80” offers rear- and all-wheel drive, as well as manual and automatic transmissions, the “G84” may come exclusively with xDrive and an automatic. Still, nothing is official until BMW confirms it.
Photo by: BMW
Given the M350’s rumored output, the full-fat M3 should comfortably exceed 500 horsepower. BMW is also considering a combustion-powered 3 Series Touring, raising hopes for M-flavored variants. With a U.S. launch under review, there’s reason to dream about a six-cylinder M3 wagon, which is something America missed with the current “G81” sold in Europe and other regions.
In the meantime, the next combustion-engine 3 Series is expected to debut in the coming months, with sales starting in late 2026 or early 2027, depending on the region.
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Source: BMW
Motor1’s Take: It’s reassuring to see BMW remain committed to the combustion-engine 3 Series. At the same time, it’s exciting that an M Performance variant will likely be available from day one. Whether both rear- and all-wheel-drive versions will be offered as is the case today remains unclear, but at least we know an M Lite model is on the way.
We’re also curious to see how the i3’s Neue Klasse design language will translate to the 3 Series. It’s reasonable to expect the ICE model to feature a longer front end to accommodate gasoline and diesel engines. As before, a plug-in hybrid is planned for those not yet ready to switch to a fully electric vehicle.