New BMW 3 Series G50: 443hp M350 Leads BMW’s Next Petrol Generation

While much of the attention surrounding BMW’s next-generation 3 Series has focused on electrification, BMW certainly hasn’t finished with the combustion engine.

Alongside the new electric BMW i3, an entirely new generation of petrol and hybrid 3 Series models is now approaching production.

Known internally as the BMW G50, the new 3 Series is currently completing its final development programme ahead of production beginning in the second half of 2026.

And if anyone thought the arrival of BMW’s Neue Klasse electric models meant the traditional 3 Series was about to quietly disappear, the first confirmed specifications suggest otherwise.

At the top of the new combustion-engined range will sit the BMW M350 xDrive, powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six producing a provisional 443hp and 580Nm.

It will accelerate from 0–62mph in a claimed 4.1 seconds.

So, what else do we know about the new BMW 3 Series G50?

What is the new BMW G50 3 Series?

G50 is BMW’s internal designation for the next generation of the combustion-engined 3 Series Saloon.

This is an important distinction because BMW is taking a different approach with the next 3 Series generation.

Rather than simply replacing petrol engines with electric motors, BMW is developing combustion and electric versions alongside one another.

The fully electric BMW i3 represents one branch of the new generation, while the G50 continues the 3 Series with internal-combustion and hybrid powertrains.

BMW has now confirmed that the G50 range will include both four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, using 48V mild-hybrid technology.

That should make the next few years particularly interesting for 3 Series buyers.

BMW M350 xDrive: the new straight-six 3 Series

The first G50 model BMW has revealed in meaningful technical detail is also the one likely to interest performance enthusiasts most.

The BMW M350 xDrive becomes the performance flagship of the combustion-engined G50 range below the full BMW M cars.

Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre BMW TwinPower Turbo straight-six, combined with 48V mild-hybrid technology.

BMW currently quotes provisional combined figures of:

• 443hp
• 580Nm

Power is delivered through an eight-speed BMW Steptronic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.

BMW says the M350 xDrive will reach 62mph in 4.1 seconds, with a top speed of 155mph.

For comparison, that puts the new M350 firmly into serious performance-car territory while retaining the format that has made cars such as the M340i so popular: a practical 3 Series powered by a turbocharged straight-six.

BMW has also confirmed adaptive M suspension, an M Sport differential and variable sport steering as standard equipment on the M350 xDrive.

And BMW has given it a Drift Moment

There is another particularly interesting addition to the M350.

BMW calls it Drift Moment.

When activated through the central display, the system allows engine power to be sent entirely to the rear wheels rather than through the normal xDrive configuration.

In other words, BMW is giving its all-wheel-drive M Performance 3 Series the ability to behave rather more like a traditional rear-wheel-drive performance BMW when circumstances allow.

The feature is scheduled to become available during 2027.

Interestingly, BMW says cars delivered before its introduction will also be capable of receiving Drift Moment through a Remote Software Upgrade.

It is the first time BMW has offered the feature on a 3 Series M Performance model.

Four and six-cylinder engines are confirmed

The M350 isn’t the whole story.

BMW has officially confirmed that the new combustion-engined 3 Series range will include four-cylinder engines as well as the six-cylinder M350.

Both will make use of 48V mild-hybrid technology.

At this stage BMW hasn’t published the complete UK engine line-up, so there is little value in trying to guess every badge and power output that will eventually appear in British showrooms.

Those details will become clearer as the G50 approaches launch.

What matters at this stage is that BMW has committed to another generation of combustion-engined 3 Series models rather than moving the entire range to battery-electric power.

What about a plug-in hybrid BMW G50?

A plug-in hybrid version of the new 3 Series is also expected to form part of the G50 family.

However, full production specifications for the new plug-in hybrid have yet to be announced.

The existing 330e has demonstrated how important plug-in hybrid technology has become within the 3 Series range, particularly for company-car and business users, so its continuation into the next generation would hardly be surprising.

We’ll update this article when BMW confirms the final powertrain, electric range and UK specification.

BMW G50 versus the new electric BMW i3

This is perhaps the most interesting aspect of the next-generation 3 Series.

BMW isn’t asking one drivetrain architecture to do everything.

The new electric i3 and combustion-engined G50 sit alongside one another, but BMW has developed their driving systems around the characteristics of their respective powertrains.

For the G50, BMW says development has focused heavily on driving pleasure, transverse dynamics and ride comfort.

The company has been carrying out high-intensity development work at its Miramas proving ground in southern France, including testing of camouflaged G50 prototypes.

The M350 also receives additional chassis tuning and increased torsional and vertical stiffness.

BMW is therefore clearly trying to preserve the characteristics that have defined the 3 Series for decades rather than treating the combustion model simply as an alternative powertrain.

When will the new BMW 3 Series G50 arrive?

BMW says production of the new M350 xDrive will begin during the second half of 2026.

The complete UK model range, pricing and final launch timetable have yet to be announced.

More information should therefore arrive relatively quickly as BMW moves from prototype development towards full production.

We’ll update this page as BMW confirms the UK engine range, specifications, pricing and ordering information.

What could the BMW G50 mean for tuning?

From a DTUK perspective, the new G50 is particularly interesting.

Modern BMW engines have long formed an important part of the DTUK vehicle application range, and a new generation containing turbocharged four-cylinder, straight-six and hybrid powertrains naturally attracts our attention.

However, a new engine specification doesn’t automatically mean an existing tuning solution can simply be transferred to the new vehicle.

Modern powertrains combine increasingly sophisticated engine management, sensor systems, hybrid assistance, transmission control and vehicle electronics.

For that reason, DTUK will assess individual BMW G50 applications as the production vehicles and final engine specifications become available.

Where suitable applications are developed, information will be added to the DTUK vehicle database.

The combustion BMW 3 Series isn’t finished yet

For months, much of the discussion surrounding BMW’s next generation of cars has understandably centred on Neue Klasse and electrification.

The G50 provides an important counterpoint.

BMW is preparing an all-new 3 Series with four-cylinder engines, 48V mild-hybrid technology and, at the top of the currently announced range, a 443hp turbocharged straight-six M350 xDrive.

That’s hardly the specification of a manufacturer quietly walking away from the combustion engine.

And with production approaching, we won’t have long to wait before the complete picture becomes clearer.

DTUK will update this article as BMW releases further G50 specifications, UK pricing and engine information.