In the late 1950s, BMW was in big trouble. Neither its cars nor motorcycles were selling, so the Bavarian automaker found itself in a serious financial crisis that almost resulted in the company being sold to Daimler-Benz. Industry sources believed that it was a “done deal,” but it fell through. Then BMW’s fortunes would turn around in the early 1960s when it introduced the Neue Klasse lineup, a name that BMW has brought back to characterize the eighth generation of its 3 Series sedans.
BMW has created four different 3 Series sedans to choose from: a standard 330, a sporty M350, a fully electric i3, and the performance-enhanced electric i3 M60. Each model in the series has its own very capable and fun drivetrain. If someone were to select the 330 xDrive, he or she would get to experience the 255-horsepower 2.0-liter BMW TwinPower Turbo inline-four, which the automaker says will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. In case that person prefers the M Performance model, the exclusively all-wheel-drive M350, its 437-horsepower 3.0-liter inline-six will go from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds.
For the more forward-thinking buyer, he or she can choose between the i3 and i3 M60 electric sedans. The i3 xDrive50 includes Gen6 eDrive technology, which consists of two electric motors that provide 463 horsepower and 476 lb-ft of torque — BMW says it will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. Additionally, it also has an estimated range of a prodigious 446-468 miles. The performance-oriented i3 M60 uses a similar dual-motor setup but produces an estimated 550-plus horses, giving a 0- 60 time of under four seconds. Of the bunch, this one is slated to join the 3 Series lineup near the end of 2027.
Each model is presented with clear inspiration from the original Neue Klasse series, as well as the Neue Klasse concept that was showcased earlier this year at Monterey Car Week. The exterior features “crisp exterior lines, sculpted surfaces, and reduced detailing,” with the grille introducing a “shark nose” design that leans more on the sporty side. There will be 11 exterior colors available to choose from at launch, with the new Le Castellet Blue metallic as the signature hue.
The interior is designed to be both driver-intuitive and futuristic, with a touch of five-star resort-level accoutrements mixed in. The driver can easily focus on the road thanks to BMW Panoramic iDrive (combining BMW Panoramic Vision, a 17.9-inch Central Display, BMW Operating System X, and an available BMW 3D Head-Up Display), which gives digital notifications in a way that is not distracting. At the base of the windshield there is a narrow digital display that acts similar to a smartphone’s notification bar, updating the driver on important vehicle functions, notifications, and other pertinent information. The leather seating sits beneath a tinted, multi-layer panoramic glass roof that is standard across all models.
The suspension varies by model; the gas-powered vehicles are offered with optional adaptive suspension or Adaptive M Suspension, both which use electronically controlled damper valves that adjust each wheel depending on stimuli it experiences on the roadway. The system will judge and apply a different level of damping force to meet the needs of the moment. Each of these options includes sport steering that uses a variable ratio that can be turned on or off by the driver.
The MSRPs (with mandatory $1,350 destination and handling fee included) are as follows:
- 2027 BMW 330 – $49,900
- 2027 BMW 330 xDrive – $51,900
- 2027 BMW M350 xDrive – $65,900
- 2027 BMW i3 50 xDrive – $61,500
The official United States launch of the new 3 Series is not slated until the first quarter of 2027, but you can explore each model on BMW’s website.
