The BMW 3 Series Is Getting a Major Makeover. Here's Everything We Know

Get ready for a tidal shift in the world of BMW. Neue Klasse is here, and it’s not just for electric vehicles. The minimalist design seen on the new iX3 SUV means that a new 3 Series sedan with the same language isn’t far behind.

It’s about time, too. The current 3 Series debuted in 2018 (as a 2019 model) and received a modest update in 2022 that, among other things, added all kinds of contrasting angles to the front fascia and a new iDrive 8 infotainment system. Even post-update, though, 3 Series sales were down 7.8 percent in 2024. Either buyers are waiting for the next-gen model, or they’re not terribly enthused with those updates.

Will Neue Klasse change that? Styling aside, BMW’s next-generation sedan will be packed with new technology. That includes everything from powertrains to interior features, though many of the details at this point aren’t known.

That said, we do know a few things about the new model. So here’s a preview of what you can expect from the next BMW 3 Series.

What Will It Be Called?

2022 BMW 3 Series

Neue Klasse just rolls off the tongue, doesn’t it? Even though that term is tossed around regularly, BMW won’t use it on a production car. Similar to the iX3, the next-gen 3er will simply be called i3 as an EV, while the gas version will still use the same 3 Series moniker. It should be noted that BMW has been selling an i3 electric sedan in China since the i3 hatchback was dropped.

The name has considerable brand equity for BMW, so there’s no reason to believe that will change now. Neue Klasse will almost certainly be mentioned extensively during its debut, but don’t expect it to become an official part of the sedan’s name.

That said, some naming shenanigans are afoot. All of BMW’s electric models start with an i designation, so the automaker will ditch the i as a suffix from trim levels to prevent confusion. In other words, the days of the 330i or M340i are over; the M340i simply becomes the M350.

What Will It Look Like?

2027 BMW 3 Series Neue Klasse Rendering

BMW famously previewed its future back in 2023 with the debut of the i Vision Dee concept, and later, a less abstract version called the Vision Neue Klasse concept. Both were stark contrasts to BMW’s current, complex design language, eschewing all those scoops, vents, and contrasting lines for a clean, geometric body.

The production 3 Series won’t go to such extremes, but it will bear more than a passing resemblance to the Neue Klasse concept. Based on 3 Series spy photos and a camouflaged i3 prototype from IAA Mobility in Munich, our exclusive rendering shows a Neue Klasse-inspired face with the kidney grille spanning the width of the car.

The i3/3 Series will have a wide, horizontal grille, as opposed to the deeper, slimmer shape found on the new iX3. The new look will incorporate smaller, sharper headlights at the corners. Dipping further, the lower fascia should feature prominent vertical vents that are largely rectangular in shape. The myriad angles and body lines of the current car are replaced with vertical and horizontal symmetry.

BMW Vision Neue Klasse Concept

2027 BMW i3 Prototype

It’s not entirely a straight-laced Neue Klasse show, however. Moving front-to-back, we have a very gentle curve to the beltline. A subtle Hofmeister kink persists at the C-pillar, meeting up with a sloping roof as opposed to the hard-edged lines from the Neue Klasse concept. At the very back, the new 3 may not look too different from the current model, save for thinner rectangular taillights and straighter lines on the rear fascia.

Our rendering depicts the combustion-powered 3 Series, riding on a tweaked version of the sedan’s current platform. The all-electric counterpart will have its own Neue Klasse platform dedicated to electric power, and it will likely borrow more of the concept’s edgier lines. The i3’s hood will be shorter, and at the C-pillar, we could see a straighter roof without as much slope.

What's Under The Hood?

2025 BMW M3 CS Touring Engine

The future—or at least the near future—is no longer an all-electric affair. The next-generation 3 Series will likely carry over its current four-cylinder and inline-six offerings on non-M models. As a refresher, the base 330i uses BMW’s turbocharged 2.0-liter mill generating 255 horsepower. The boosted 3.0-liter inline-six, meanwhile, makes 386 hp.

A new M3 has been confirmed, but it won’t show up for a few years still. The performance variant could adopt a 'new type' of inline-six gas engine, likely with some form of hybridization. The details on that new motor are still unclear.

Also unclear is whether or not the plug-in hybrid version returns to the US market; BMW dropped the 330e in 2024, but given the general popularity of hybrids right now, expect some kind of plug-in hybrid option to endure, even if it’s not offered in the States.

As for the all-electric i3, details like horsepower and range are still a mystery. Dual-motor powertrains are virtually guaranteed, though a thrifty single-motor version turning just the rear wheels could be in the cards. The electric M3, which is expected to have nearly 700 hp, will be rear-wheel drive initially, which means it could only have two electric motors out of the box.

However, the Neue Klasse architecture can support power levels nearly twice that amount. If BMW wanted to turn the M3 into a 1,000-hp competitor to the Tesla Model S Plaid or Lucid Air Sapphire, the hardware is there for it.

How About The Interior?

BMW iDrive 8

Here’s where things could get interesting. The new 3 Series will likely have the same massive 17.9-inch touchscreen from the new iX3 that extends from the driver’s seat well into the center of the dash. But the greenhouse won’t be as minimal as you expect.

BMW confirmed to Motor1 last year that "we will have knobs where it is necessary. It’s not a knob- or control-element-free car, that’s not our vision." The company also reiterated earlier this month that its data shows that drivers still want volume knobs in their vehicles. That said, it's unlikely that the iDrive knob ever returns.

How Much Will It Cost?

Tariffs notwithstanding, the current BMW 3 Series starts at approximately $47,000 and reaches all the way to $87,000 for an M3 Competition xDrive. It’s safe to assume the next-generation combustion 3 Series will see a modest increase, likely starting near $50,000. The electric 3 will likely be a bit more expensive, starting just north of $50,000.

When Will It Arrive?

The first Neue Klasse vehicle, the iX3 SUV, debuted earlier this month at the IAA Mobility show in Munich. The new 3 Series could show up before the end of this year, while the electric i3 won’t arrive until at least 2026 before going on sale for the 2027 model year. Production is expected to start in late 2026. The M3 will debut even later, likely sometime in 2027.