BMW is preparing a radical update for its most popular sedan, the 3 Series, which will be one of the key representatives of a new generation of models built on the Neue Klasse architecture. This is not only an electric strategy, but also a rethinking of the entire model range, which should combine minimalist design and modern technologies.
The current generation of the BMW 3 Series appeared in 2018, and in 2022 it underwent a planned update, receiving the iDrive 8 system and a new front bumper with complex geometry. However, even after the restyling, sales in 2024 fell by 7.8%, which only confirmed: the market is waiting for a full-fledged new generation.
The next generation of the 3 Series will be offered both in traditional gasoline versions with in-line four-cylinder and six-cylinder engines, and in an all-electric version called the i3. This index is already familiar in the Chinese market, where the company sells the i3 electric sedan after the cessation of production of the hatchback of the same name. The name Neue Klasse will remain conceptual and will not become part of the official name of the model, although it will certainly be actively used during the presentation.
The exterior of the future 3 Series will receive clear features of the Vision Neue Klasse concept, but without radical shapes. Judging by spy photos and renderings, the sedan will have a horizontally elongated radiator grille, narrow and sharp headlights in the corners, straighter body lines and a refined rear end with thin rectangular lights. The characteristic “Hoffmeister curve“ on the rear pillar will be preserved, and the roof will receive a smooth but dynamic profile.
The interior will be designed in a minimalist style and will receive a huge 17.9-inch display, similar to the one already presented in the new iX3. The screen will combine the dashboard, multimedia complex and functions for the front passenger. At the same time, BMW emphasizes that there will be no complete abandonment of physical controls: the automaker will leave tactile elements where they are really needed, for example, volume control.
As for the powertrains, the new range will not be fully electric. The base 330 will get a revised 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with about 255 hp, while the inline-six will generate about 386 hp. The new M3 will occupy a separate place in the lineup, appearing later and possibly receiving a “new type” inline-six engine with hybrid functions. The plug-in hybrid is also likely to remain in the lineup, given the high demand in the market, although the 330e was discontinued in the US in 2024.
The electric version of the i3 will become a full-fledged representative of the Neue Klasse and will almost certainly receive a dual-motor configuration, although an economical version with a single motor on the rear axle is also possible. The electric M3 is expected to have a power of around 700 hp and will be rear-wheel drive, and the Neue Klasse architecture will eventually allow an increase in power to 1000 hp, which will make the model a competitor to the Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire.
The new BMW 3 Series will cost more than the current generation, with the price of the gasoline version starting at around 42,000 euros. The electric i3 will be more expensive, costing just above that limit. The current model starts at 40,000 euros.
We will recall that the first representative of the Neue Klasse was the iX3 crossover, which debuted at this year's IAA Mobility motor show in Munich. The next generation of the 3 Series is expected to be presented later this year, while the all-electric i3 will arrive at the earliest in 2026 and will appear on the market as a 2027 model. Production will begin in late 2026, with the new M3 joining the range even later, around 2027.