BMW has unveiled the petrol-powered versions of its new 3 Series, following the recent reveal of the all-electric i3 variant. The 320 and M350 models bring fresh engines and updated tech to the brand’s most successful model, starting at just under £45,000 in the UK.
Traditional Engines with Mild-Hybrid Help
The new BMW 320 features a familiar 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine paired with a 48-volt mild-hybrid system. It produces 208 horsepower and 330 Nm (243 lb-ft) of torque. The car can accelerate from 0 to 62 mph in 7.4 seconds and has a top speed of 149 mph.
The sportier M350 xDrive steps up the power with a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine, also mildly hybridized with 48-volt technology. It delivers an impressive 437 horsepower and 580 Nm (428 lb-ft) of torque. This model sprints to 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds, with a top speed limited to 155 mph.
Chassis and Handling Features
Both models come with revised suspension settings, including new passive dampers and stiffer mounts. The weight distribution is balanced at 50/50, with an optional adaptive suspension setup. Notably, the M350 offers a “Drift Moment” function, which channels power solely to the rear wheels for controlled oversteer—an unusual feature for a modern BMW sedan.
Wheel sizes start at 18 inches for the 320 and 19 inches for the M350, with options for 20-inch wheels on both models.
Interior and Practical Differences
The petrol 3 Series shares much of its interior design and technology with the electric i3 version. This includes BMW’s OS X operating system, a large 17.9-inch central touchscreen, panoramic digital displays, and options such as a 3D head-up display and Amazon Alexa integration. The petrol versions’ boot space is slightly larger at 450 litres, compared to the electric’s 420 litres, although the electric i3 adds a small 31-litre front trunk.
Electric 3 Series Variants and Pricing Updates
BMW confirmed pricing for the petrol models starts at £44,975 for the 320 and reaches £66,785 for the M350. Meanwhile, the electric i3 version will debut with two variants: the 40 xDrive and the 50 xDrive.
The 40 xDrive offers 369 horsepower, 521 Nm (384 lb-ft) torque, and an 82.8 kWh battery, with a claimed range of 441 miles (likely CLTC standard). The 50 xDrive boosts power to 463 horsepower and 646 Nm (476 lb-ft), with a larger 108.7 kWh battery and a claimed 566 miles of range. Its 800-volt electrical system supports fast charging up to 400 kW.
Prices for the electric i3 start from £47,925 for the 40 and £53,425 for the 50. BMW also hinted at a forthcoming M60 xDrive version with even higher performance.
The Importance of the 3 Series
The 3 Series is BMW’s best-selling model of all time, with over 18 million units sold globally since 1975. This new generation, using BMW’s updated Neue Klasse design language, could be crucial for the brand’s future success. Both the petrol and electric models share a similar look designed to bring the 3 Series into a new era, bridging its traditional roots with electrification.
More details on availability and full specifications are expected as launch dates approach.
Source: topgear.com