The 2027 BMW 3 Series Is Here With 437 HP And A Factory Drift Mode

Earlier this year, BMW revealed the electric i3—the first 3 Series created under the Neue Klasse design language. While not technically the same car as the regular gas-powered 3 Series, it provided a pretty good look at what the combustion variant would look like.

Now, BMW has officially taken the wraps off the new 3 Series.

The 2027 3 Series is radically different than any 3 Series before it. Germany's newest sports sedan debuts with the most powerful M Performance variant ever, a Neue Klasse body, and a few key differences that help separate it from its electric sibling. 

Most Powerful M Performance 3 Series Ever

The BMW 3 Series will launch in the US with three trims: 330, 330 xDrive, and M350 xDrive. As expected, the "i" moniker is gone from the gas 3 Series lineup, not to confuse buyers with the electric model. 

The BMW 330 receives a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that makes 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to either the rear or all four wheels via an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

Where things get more interesting is with the M350 xDrive model. This trim gets a 3.0-liter inline-six making 437 hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. It takes just 3.9 seconds to reach 60 miles per hour, compared to the 5.9 seconds for the 330 and 330 xDrive trims. 

The top speed for both cars is limited to 155 mph.

BMW 330

• Turbocharged 2.0L Four-Cylinder
• 255 HP / 295 LB-FT
• Eight-Speed Automatic
• 0-60 MPH: 5.9 Seconds
• Top Speed: 155 MPH (Limited)

BMW M350 xDrive

• Turbocharged 3.0L Inline-Six
• 437 HP / 428 LB-FT
• Eight-Speed Automatic
• 0-60 MPH: 3.9 Seconds
• Top Speed: 155 MPH (Limited)

A Whole 'Neue' Look

Perhaps the biggest change to the new 3 Series is the design. It wears the Neue Klasse body, just like the i3, but with an actual grille and optional yellow M lights in the headlight fixture.

Around the side, standard 19-inch or optional 20-inch rims are available, with flush door handles that create a smoother side profile. The rear of the 3 Series is virtually the same as the i3, with a matching taillight design found on all Neue Klasse models.

The M350 xDrive model sees a host of exterior upgrades over the standard car. These include a rear spoiler, black exterior trim, and quad exhausts. M Sport extras include model-specific bumpers, side skirts, and blue M Sport brakes. 

Tech-Heavy-Interior

Like the exterior, the interior of the new 3 Series is brand new, though it has already been previewed on other Neue Klasse models. The cabin features BMW’s newest iDrive system, including Panoramic iDrive, which runs the length of the windshield and includes information, as well as an AI assistant powered by Amazon Alexa. 

The same 17.9-inch iDrive-powered trapezoidal screen seen in the new X5 and i7 also appears on the 3 Series. However, unlike those bigger BMWs, there is no optional passenger display. The My Modes feature lets drivers personalize interior lighting and displays. The screen also comes with a TiVo-powered video app that lets occupants watch and stream TV and movies when parked.

The steering wheel is also the same central-spoke design seen on the i3. It features haptic touch buttons and sits in front of a digital gauge cluster, set in the Panoramic iDrive system mentioned previously. M Performance models get a special M Performance wheel that features toggles for M Mode and Boost functions. A heads-up display is also available on the 3 Series. 

Drift Mode: Engaged

The most exciting feature on the new 3 Series, at least if you’re an enthusiast, is what BMW calls “Drift Moment.” Available on the M 350 xDrive, this is a system that will cut power to the front wheels in order to help you, well, drift. 

This is the first M Performance car to feature the technology. Drift Moment will not be available at launch; instead, it will arrive via a software update to the car sometime in 2027.

When Can You Get A New 3 Series?

The 2027 BMW 3 Series will launch in early 2027 with the 330, 330 xDrive, and M350 xDrive trims. As for the electric i3, reservations for the car open up on September 29, with it also aiming for an early 2027 release

Pricing for the 2027 BMW 3 Series starts at $49,900 with destination for the base 330 model, but climbs to $51,900 for the xDrive trim. The M350 xDrive starts at a hefty $65,900. 

If you’re looking to go electric, the base 2027 i3 50 starts at $61,500.