Petrol-powered BMW 3 Series gets EV-inspired makeover
After more than half a century on sale, the BMW 3 Series has gone in a new direction, with the new sedan’s design based on that of its electric counterpart.
BMW has revealed what may be its most controversial 3 Series yet, with the new-generation ‘G50’ sedan adopting the design of its electric i3 sibling.
The BMW i3 was revealed in March as the second of the brand’s Neue Klasse models – after the iX3 SUV – and now the stunning styling which has divided opinion has been applied to the long-serving 3 Series, with both models now having Australian pricing announced.
On the outside, there’s little to set the 3 Series and i3 apart, with the former’s internal combustion engines necessitating the need for an open kidney grille between its headlights and some well-integrated exhaust tips at the back, but other than that it’s hard to split the pair apart.
While the i3 is built on a dedicated EV-only platform, the G50 3 Series runs on a heavily revised Cluster Architecture (CLAR) platform which underpins the outgoing G20-generation model, resulting in the latter being 5mm longer, 15mm narrower and having 37mm less distance between the axles than its EV counterpart.
Inside, the 3 Series gets a significant makeover, starting with a completely new dashboard, a 3D head-up display, a 17.9-inch central touchscreen and BMW’s latest Operating System X software.
The new BMW 3 Series also becomes the first since the E21 generation of the late 1970s to forgo the ‘i’ moniker for fuel-injected, petrol-powered variants, following the likes of the 1 Series by now having each variant denoted by numbers.
In Australia, the range opens with the BMW 320, priced from $83,900 plus on-roads and powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance, producing 155kW and 330Nm which is sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
Stepping up to the flagship M350 xDrive increases the price to $128,900 before on-road costs, with the all-wheel drive performance model powered by a turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine, making 326kW and 580Nm.
Standard equipment on the 320 includes 18-inch M aerodynamic wheels, adaptive M suspension, LED lighting, the M Sport package, Veganza upholstery, power-adjustable front seats with heating and ventilation, a panoramic sunroof, and BMW’s safety suite, among many other features.
On top of this, the M350 xDrive adds a heated steering wheel, rear heated seats, a Harman Kardon sound system and 20-inch light alloy wheels.
BMW has also priced the electric i3 variants for Australia, starting with the i3 40 xDrive which opens from $96,900 plus on-roads, with its dual-motor powertrain delivering 275kW and 520Nm.
The i3 50 xDrive meanwhile is $112,900 before on-road costs, increasing its outputs to 345kW and 645Nm.
Australian deliveries of the BMW 3 Series and i3 are due to begin in the first quarter of 2027.
