BMW revealed the 2027 3 Series six months after announcing the fully electric i3. Unsurprisingly, it adopts the i3’s Neue Klasse design, but a few details point to its powertrain and the platform underneath. That’s because BMW’s new strategy for its internal combustion engine (ICE) and electric vehicles (EVs) is to use two different platforms, while their designs are unified.
In this case, despite the Neue Klasse design of the eighth-generation (to be called the G50) 3 Series, it actually continues with the brand’s Cluster Architecture (CLAR). That’s not exactly a bad thing in our book, since this has been a well-engineered platform that fulfills its duties extremely well in various BMW vehicles.
And in my opinion, the 2027 BMW 3 Series looks slightly better in ICE form due to these few tweaks. The vehicle measures 4,765 mm long, which is more than 50 mm longer than the previous G20 generation and 5 mm longer than the i3. It’s also 13 mm taller than the G20, but 25 mm lower than the i3. The lower roof and hood, plus the slightly longer dash-to-axle ratio of this ICE model, somehow give it a leaner and more muscular look than the fully electric version. Another hint that this is the ICE version? The slightly wider lower air intake, though this is something you’ll only recognize if the i3 and 3 Series are positioned side-by-side.
Other design tweaks for the 2027 BMW 3 Series versus the i3 include the more pronounced Hofmeister kink at the C-pillar and the presence of rear exhausts. Meanwhile, the i3’s pop-out flush door handles remain, and the enclosed front grille, which leaves the ICE to breathe through the lower air intakes. It also must be noted that it’s only the M Sport version that’s been revealed, so expect the standard 3 Series to look slightly toned down.
Moving inside, the 2027 BMW 3 Series, unsurprisingly, adopts the same interior design as its pure electric sibling. The plush dashboard, made of a mix of sustainable and premium materials, features the new Panoramic iDrive infotainment, with a pillar-to-pillar upper display, a 17.9-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, and an optional 3D head-up display.
Other optional features include a Harman Kardon sound system, multifunction seats whose seat backrest width can be adjusted, a large, fixed panoramic glass roof, and a host of trim and upholstery choices to match your preferences.
Powering the 2027 BMW 3 Series will initially be three gasoline engine choices, all with 48-volt mild hybrid technology. The range kicks off with the base 320, whose B48 2.0-liter turbo four-cylinder now produces 211 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque. This is good enough for a 7.4-second 0-100 kph time.
Meanwhile, a mid-range 330 will also be offered, but this will be limited to the North American market for this generation. It uses the same engine as the one in the 320, but with output raised to 255 horsepower and 400 Nm of torque. This is good for a 0-60 mph (96 kph) time of 5.9 seconds.
Lastly, the range-topping M350 xDrive gets the famed B58 3.0-liter turbo straight-six, and its power has been significantly increased from the previous 374 horsepower and 500 Nm of torque to 443 horsepower and 580 Nm. This drops the 0-100 kph time from 4.4 to just 4.1 seconds, putting it nearly in G80 BMW M3 territory. As the name suggests, xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) is standard in the M350, while a ZF eight-speed automatic is your only transmission choice for the entire 3 Series lineup.
Though the CLAR platform carries over, it didn’t go unchanged for this new generation model. With the new 3 Series now being built on a software-defined vehicle (SDV) architecture, BMW has given it the BMW Driving Stack–an integrated hardware and software system that coordinates driving related-functions. Proof of work here is the upcoming Drift Moment feature for the BMW M350 xDrive, which works similarly to the M3 Competition xDrive’s 2WD mode. This allows the M350 xDrive to become rear-wheel drive (RWD) specifically for drifting, but this feature won’t be coming from the factory right away. Instead, it’ll be delivered to owners via an over-the-air update in 2027.
Structural upgrades to the CLAR platform have also given the 2027 BMW 3 Series sharper handling and steering, whilst improving ride quality and long-distance comfort. To achieve this, the double-joint spring-strut front axle gets increased positive caster trail and revised elastokinetics, along with reduced front-wheel camber compared to the previous model. Meanwhile, the five-link rear axle receives a modified negative caster trail and increased wheel camber. The high-pre-load anti-roll-bar mounts at the front and rear axles dampen and smoothen the vehicle’s body motions to improve stability, while the stiffer chassis mounts make its handling more precise. Lastly, the chassis uses newly developed lift-related dampers.
The 2027 BMW 3 Series will begin production in November 2026, with retail sales set to begin in 2027 for global markets. A Philippine launch will likely happen through its distributor, SMC Asia Car Distributors Corporation, in the middle of 2027.
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