BMW is actively preparing to release the new generation M350, which will be the most powerful gasoline sedan in the 3-series before the advent of fully electric versions. Tests of the new product are already underway at the Nürburgring, and spy photos confirm that the car is in the final stages of development.
The M350 will replace the current M340i and retain the 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine with turbocharging, but the power will increase to 420–426 hp. This is significantly more than the current model with 382–387 hp, and almost corresponds to the figures of the 2014–2018 F30 M3 — the first M3 with a turbocharged engine. For drivers who value high dynamics but are not ready to switch to a full-fledged M3, the M350 will be the best option.
It is expected that the engine will work in tandem with an eight-speed automatic transmission and an xDrive all-wheel drive system, although a rear-wheel drive version is not excluded. Despite the dense camouflage, the new M350 demonstrates a recognizable silhouette and features characteristic of the latest BMW models.
Interestingly, the M350 combines the old and new philosophy of the brand: the internal combustion car is built on a modernized CLAR platform, which is light and maneuverable, and the updated chassis and electronics settings make handling sharp and predictable. At the same time, the design of the car is inspired by the electric 3-series Neue Klasse: narrow headlights, a radiator grille in the signature style, sculptural body shapes and clean lines. A station wagon will be available for Europe along with the sedan.
The interior of the M350 has also undergone a major upgrade: a full-width BMW projection display at the base of the windshield, a new iDrive infotainment system, updated materials and a minimalist layout create a sense of modernity while maintaining the signature style of the 3-series.
Production of the M350 is scheduled to begin in November 2026, and the official debut is expected closer to the end of next year, after the presentation of the electric 3-series. This may be the last gasoline model of the 3-series with the M Performance badge for those who are not yet ready for an electric car.
In addition, BMW M is simultaneously developing a new M3 with an internal combustion engine and a power of more than 550 hp, which will be presented together with the first electric M3 in history.
The M350 will be a transitional model and the last “baby M3” with a real gasoline engine, capable of giving drivers familiar sensations and at the same time meeting modern requirements for power and design.
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