Key highlights:
- New G50 3 Series arrives in Australia in Q1 2027
- M350 xDrive delivers 326kW from its turbocharged inline-six
- New cabin brings Neue Klasse technology to petrol models
The 2027 BMW 3 Series has broken cover with a dramatically different design, fresh technology and a revised petrol-powered range. Despite looking heavily influenced by BMW’s latest electric models, the new G50 remains an evolution of the current 3 Series and continues to use the German brand’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform.
The first-ever fully electric 3 Series production car, BMW i3 50 xDrive, is already confirmed for an early 2027 launch, and the PHEV model and touring wagon body styles are expected to arrive here later in 2027.
Australia gets four launch variants with deliveries due in Q1 2027, and they are priced between $83,900 and $112,900 before on-road costs.
New look, familiar foundations
The new G50 3 Series may look like an entirely new generation, but BMW has evolved the existing architecture rather than moving the sedan onto its dedicated Neue Klasse EV platform.
| Length | 4675mm (+52mm) |
| Width | 1850mm (+23mm) |
| Height | 1455mm (+23mm) |
| Wheelbase | 2860mm (+9mm) |
| Boot space | 450L |
It is marginally larger in every dimension than the outgoing G20-generation 3 Series to provide more interior space.
M350 xDrive leads the range
BMW will launch the range with petrol engines only, with every engine using 48V mild-hybrid technology, and the new M350 xDrive sits at the top of the core 3 Series range until BMW launches the next-generation M3 in 2027. It combines a 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol inline-six with 48V assistance.
| Specifications | 2027 BMW 350 xDrive | 2027 BMW 320 |
|---|---|---|
| Engine | 3.0-litre turbo inline six-cylinder petrol | 2.0-litre turbo four-cylinder petrol |
| Power output | 326kW | 155kW |
| Torque output | 580Nm | 330Nm |
| 0-100km/h | 4.1s | 7.4s |
| Top speed | 250km/h | 240km/h |
| Transmission | 8-speed Steptronic AT | 8-speed AT |
| Drive type | xDrive all-wheel drive | Rear-wheel drive |
| Fuel consumption | 7.5-8.2L/100km | – |
| CO2 emissions | 171-187g/km | – |
The M350 sends its power through BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
BMW has also given it a feature previously reserved for M models: Drift Moment, and this system can send power exclusively to the rear wheels.
Also read: Next-gen Mercedes-AMG C63 could revive the V8
Exterior: i3 influence is everywhere
The biggest change in the 2027 BMW 3 Series comes from the design. The new 3 Series borrows heavily from the all-electric i3, which uses BMW’s dedicated Neue Klasse architecture and represents a major visual departure from the G20 3 Series, first revealed in 2019.
The design also reflects the styling of the Neue Klasse-based i3 sedan and iX3 mid-size electric SUV, along with the facelifted X5 large SUV, which also uses the CLAR platform.
BMW has slimmed down the familiar kidney grille and integrated it into the twin headlight clusters, and the design then flows into a full-width visual element. The M Performance model can also receive M Yellow Lights, a feature adopted from BMW’s motorsport activities.
The rear follows the same design direction. An upright rear fascia carries slim LED taillights that extend into the rear quarter panels.
BMW 320 gets:
- 18-inch M Polygon style aerodynamic wheels
- Expanded exterior mirror package
- LED headlights and rear lights
- M Sport brake, dark blue metallic
- M Sport package
- Sun protection glazing
- Tyre pressure monitoring system
- Tyre repair kit Plus
- Warning triangle
BMW M350 xDrive adds 20-inch M Trigon style light alloy wheels. The combustion-powered 3 Series differs from its electric sibling in size, as the G50 model is 5mm longer, 15mm narrower, and has a 37mm shorter wheelbase.
Cabin follows BMW’s new interior formula
BMW has also brought the Neue Klasse design language inside the combustion-powered 3 Series. The cabin introduces new technology and design elements, while customers will have a range of seats, upholstery choices, trim finishers, and colour combinations.
The technology-heavy dashboard includes a new-generation steering wheel, panoramic vision, a BMW 3D head-up display and a large 17.9-inch central touchscreen.
BMW has designed the cabin to bring its combustion-powered and electric mid-size models closer together visually and technologically.
The new 3 Series runs BMW Operating System X, which powers the BMW Panoramic iDrive experience used across the brand’s latest models, and the software architecture uses the Android Open Source Project (AOSP).
BMW says this provides strong update and upgrade capabilities, which means BMW can add more functions and services to the connected infotainment system over time.
The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant also gains Amazon Alexa+ AI integration, and the system supports more functionality and more conversational, dialogue-based interaction.
BMW has extended AI integration into its driver-assistance systems. The new 3 Series can offer Level 2 autonomous driving capability, including supervised hands-free driving at up to 130km/h through Motorway Assistant.
The feature is available in 21 selected countries, where local legislation permits it. From 2027, BMW says the system will also gain: “navigation-guided, partially automated driving in urban areas”
Production starts in Bavaria
BMW will begin producing the G50 3 Series this year at Plant Dingolfing in Lower Bavaria, northeast of Munich, its largest European manufacturing facility. The plant will receive components from Group Plant Steyr in Austria.
The electric i3, meanwhile, is being built at Group Plant Munich, BMW’s home factory.
Europe will also receive the 318 and 320 variants at launch. Both use a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance, but BMW offers them in different states of tune, and both use an eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW will also add a plug-in hybrid version “over the coming year”, and it has confirmed Australian deliveries for the petrol variants will begin in 2027.
Australian pricing of the eighth-generation 3 Series
There will be four launch models of the G50 3 Series lineup in Australia.
| 2027 3 Series variant | Pricing before on-road costs |
|---|---|
| BMW 320 | $83,900 |
| BMW M350 xDrive | $128,900 |
| BMW i3 40 xDrive EV | $96,900 |
| BMW i3 50 xDrive EV | $112,900 |
Own a BMW with a limited budget. Explore these used BMW cars backed by thorough inspection and a 30-day return policy.
Comments
New Comment