9:03 am, October 1, 2026
At a quick glance it might look like the all-electric i3, but this is the new BMW 3 Series – and it comes a range of petrol engines.
Set to arrive in early 2027, the new eighth-generation 3 Series adopts BMW’s ‘Neue Klasse’ design as already seen on the i3 and iX3, along with a raft of new technology features. It’ll sit alongside the all-electric i3, giving saloon car buyers a choice of powertrain options.
Priced from £44,975, the 3 Series will be, initially, available with two petrol engines.
There’s the four-cylinder 320, or high-performance M350 xDrive which uses a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six petrol with a combined output of 443bhp and a 0-06mph time of just under four seconds.
The M350 model commands a higher price tag of £66,785, though gets a range of performance tweaks including a dedicated ‘Drift Moment’ setting which is usually the reserve of ‘full’ M cars. Activated via the main display, it sends engine power to the rear wheels alone for controlled sideways skids.
It’s expected that a plug-in hybrid model will join the range soon too, though details on this version have yet to be released.
Inside, the new 3 Series benefits from a completely revised equipment setup, including BMW’s wraparound Panoramic Vision display while a large central touchscreen handles key media and navigation functions.
In the UK, all cars will get a panoramic sunroof as standard, alongside electric front seats, wireless smartphone charging and a rear-view camera.
Sportier M Sport cars add to this with 18-inch M alloy wheels and M Sport brakes finished in blue, as well as a full M exterior styling pack with redesigned bumpers and side skirts. Higher-spec M Sport Pro cars get M Sport seats, adaptive LED headlights and BMW’s ‘Iconic Glow’ light-up grille.
There’s a useful 450-litre boot, too, and all cars get a 40:20:40 split arrangement to help when loading larger items inside.