BMW will reveal the eighth-generation 3 Series on the evening of September 29 in the United States, with the debut arriving early on September 30 in Europe. Internally known as the G50, the new sedan brings major styling changes, a high-tech cabin influenced by the electric i3, and a lineup built around four- and six-cylinder gas engines.

The full M3 will not be part of this week’s premiere. Instead, BMW is expected to show the M350 xDrive, which will serve as the range-topping 3 Series until the next M3 arrives later this decade.

Neue Klasse influence, CLAR platform

Although the combustion-powered 3 Series and electric i3 are expected to look closely related, they will not share the same underlying architecture. The gasoline-powered G50 remains based on BMW’s CLAR platform, while the i3 uses the Neue Klasse architecture also found beneath the iX3.

BMW is nevertheless carrying the Neue Klasse design language into the combustion sedan. The cabin will place an even stronger emphasis on screens and software while reducing the number of physical controls. The floor will not be completely flat, however, because the gas-powered car still needs room for its driveshaft and exhaust. That means rear-seat passengers are unlikely to have as much foot space as those in the electric i3.

M350 xDrive leads the initial lineup

The M350 xDrive will replace the current M340i xDrive and use a more powerful inline-six engine. It will also be engineered with a rear-wheel-drive mode, although BMW plans to activate that feature through an over-the-air update in 2027 rather than offering it immediately.

BMW has indicated that the M350 xDrive will be the only six-cylinder 3 Series besides the upcoming M3. That puts an end to expectations for another diesel-powered six-cylinder model such as Europe’s M340d. Below the M350, the lineup is expected to include four-cylinder gas engines and plug-in hybrid powertrains, while the future of diesel remains unclear.

A manual transmission also appears unlikely. Even the next M3 could reportedly be sold exclusively with two pedals. BMW is expected to add another wagon to the family as well, with the G51 internal codename already associated with that model.

Production moves from Munich to Dingolfing

The G50 will be the first gas-powered 3 Series not built at BMW’s historic Munich plant. Production will shift to Dingolfing. BMW has also said that recycled materials will account for a quarter of the car’s construction.

The new strategy gives BMW separate answers for different buyers without forcing the 3 Series nameplate onto a single powertrain. The i3 will target electric-car shoppers, while the G50 will preserve gasoline and plug-in hybrid options for customers who still want a conventional drivetrain. The key question will be whether the new technology and styling can coexist with the driving character expected from a 3 Series.

When will the new 3 Series debut?

BMW’s world premiere is scheduled for the evening of September 29 in the U.S. and the early morning of September 30 in Europe. Pricing, detailed specifications, and market-specific availability were not included in the announcement ahead of the reveal.