BMW teases new G50 3 Series
The days of the BMW 3 Series, codenamed G20, are slowly drawing to a close. Is that a good thing? Well, it depends on how you look at it. The current-generation 3 Series has been with us for roughly seven years now, and while it looks like it’s not in dire need of a replacement as it’s certainly ageing well, it’s still a car we rate very highly. In fact, we’d go as far as saying it’s one of the best 3 Series generations BMW has produced. Now, though, its replacement is on the way.
Set to carry the G50 codename, the next-generation 3 Series still has plenty of unknowns. BMW has, however, given us a glimpse of what’s coming with a series of camouflaged images, teasing what it believes could be a game-changer in the segment. Importantly, the G50 won’t be going at it alone, either. It will be sold alongside the fully electric i3, which was unveiled earlier this year.
According to BMW, the new 3 Series will be available with 4- and 6-cylinder engines, all benefiting from 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The line-up looks as enticing as ever, but the model that really caught the world’s collective attention is the new M350 xDrive, which is set to replace the M340i xDrive. And if BMW gets this one right, it could be one of the most interesting versions of the new 3 Series.
In case you’re wondering why the name changed… BMW’s naming has become a bit confusing over the years. An M340i sounds like it’s simply an upgraded 340i, while the M350 makes it much clearer that this sits at the top of the conventional 3 Series range. It also reflects the fact that BMW has pushed the new model further up the performance ladder, with more power and a stronger focus on driving dynamics.
Up from the M340i’s 285kW and 500Nm, the M350 uses the same B58 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-6, plus a 48-volt mild hybrid system that adds an e-motor integrated into its 8-speed automatic transmission. Power has been upped from the outgoing M340i’s 285kW and 500Nm to 326kW and 580Nm – a significant 41kW and 80Nm difference. And performance? It’s not slow. It accelerates from 0-100km/h in 4.1 seconds – 0.2 seconds quicker than the M340i xDrive.
Perhaps the most interesting addition to the M350’s repertoire is what BMW calls Drift Moment, and yes, it does exactly what it sounds like. Push a button, send all that power to the rear axle, and let the back end do the talking. It’s expected to arrive during 2027, and the best part is that BMW says it will also be activated via a Remote Software Upgrade on cars already delivered to customers. Because apparently, even drifting needs an over-the-air update.
The BMW G50 3 Series, on paper at least, looks like a step forward. More power, more technology, and thankfully, some of that old-school fun still appears to be part of the package. Whether it can match the G20’s sweet spot between performance and comfort remains to be seen. The M350, though, has certainly caught our attention. If anything, BMW has sharpened the pencil, and the G50 looks determined to carry that legacy forward.
The G50 3 Series is planned to enter production at BMW’s Dingolfing plant in November 2026, with market deliveries to follow. South African pricing and arrival dates are yet to be confirmed, but given how well the 3 Series is always received locally, we expect BMW SA to prioritise getting the new one here sooner rather than later.
