2027 BMW 3 Series and i3: Initial details for Australia confirmed

BMW Australia has confirmed the eighth-generation ‘G50’ 3 Series sedan range will arrive here in the early stages of next year alongside the all-electric i3.

The 2027 BMW 3 Series will first arrive in rear-wheel drive 320 and all-wheel drive M350 xDrive variants, alongside the previously confirmed i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive electric sedans which are due to arrive around the same time.

Pricing for the BMW 320 will start from $83,900 before on-road costs, with the M350 xDrive performance model listed from $128,900 plus on-roads – serving as a top-and-tail for the new 3 Series/i3 lineup.

Positioned in between them are the two all-wheel drive electric i3 variants: the BMW i3 40 xDrive at $96,900 plus ORCs and the BMW i3 50 xDrive at $112,900 plus ORCs.

Both combustion-powered 3 Series variants utilise turbocharged petrol engines with 48V mild-hybrid assistance.

All 3 Series vehicles in Australia will come with BMW’s new futuristic infotainment and connected services suite, including the BMW Panoramic Vision cockpit display layout and a 3D head-up display, running BMW Operating System X with intelligent personal assistant.

Ten exterior paint colour options feature in the standard palette, alongside no less than six different available alloy wheel designs, five interior upholstery options, and various option packages and standalone extras.

The BMW 320 is powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol mild-hybrid engine, which sends 155kW/330Nm to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, The claimed 0-100km/h time is 7.4 seconds, and top speed is rated at 240km/h.

By comparison, the M350 xDrive ups outputs to 326kW/580Nm courtesy of its larger 3.0-litre turbocharged inline petrol six, and reduces the claimed 0-100km/h time to a brisk 4.1 seconds on the way to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.