Next-Gen BMW 3 Series: 443-HP M350 xDrive with Drift Mode

The next-generation BMW 3 Series has entered the final stages of its development, bringing welcome news for drivers who are not ready to abandon internal combustion engines. BMW has officially confirmed that the upcoming sports sedan will continue offering four- and six-cylinder engines, equipped with 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to comply with increasingly strict emissions regulations.

Sitting at the top of the standard lineup is a new M Performance model: the M350 xDrive, which replaces the outgoing M340i. Under the hood, the M350 xDrive features a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine paired with a mild-hybrid setup, producing a combined output of 443 horsepower and 580 Newton-meters (428 pound-feet) of torque. This delivers a substantial increase of 57 hp and 59 lb-ft (80 Nm) over the previous US-spec M340i, with an even wider advantage compared to the detuned European version. The Bavarian sports sedan accelerates from zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 4.1 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).

To preserve rear-driven driving dynamics, BMW is introducing a dedicated rear-wheel-drive setting called "Drift Moment." Previously reserved for the high-performance M3, this feature sends all engine power exclusively to the rear axle despite the standard xDrive all-wheel-drive system. BMW noted that Drift Moment will not be ready at launch, but will become available next year via an over-the-air (OTA) software update for both newly produced and previously delivered cars.

Beyond the flagship M350 xDrive, the combustion-powered 3 Series range will include entry-level four-cylinder models, with at least one diesel option planned, alongside an anticipated plug-in hybrid bridging the gap to the all-electric i3. While the 3 Series rides on the CLAR architecture and the electric i3 uses the Neue Klasse platform, both share similar exterior styling and minimalist cabin concepts. Inside, the new 3 Series is expected to feature a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and BMW's Panoramic Vision projection across the base of the windshield.

Production of the new 3 Series begins later this year in Dingolfing, moving away from the historic Munich plant, which will focus entirely on assembling the electric i3. Meanwhile, the next-generation M3 is not slated to arrive before 2028 at the earliest.