BMW has completed final dynamics evaluation of its eighth-generation 3 Series at its Miramas test facility in France, confirming that the new M350 xDrive will officially replace the popular M340i. The upcoming sedan serves as the range-topping performance variant below the full M3, introducing a re-engineered six-cylinder engine, standard all-wheel drive, and a dedicated rear-wheel-drive drift mode for the first time in an M Performance 3 Series.
Key Takeaways
- The BMW M350 xDrive replaces the outgoing M340i badge, dropping the traditional “i” suffix.
- Power comes from an updated 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six engine with 48V mild-hybrid tech, producing 443 horsepower and 580 Nm of torque.
- The sedan gains a pure rear-wheel-drive “Drift Moment” setting, arriving via an over-the-air software update.
- The 0 to 100 km/h acceleration sprint takes 4.1 seconds, which is 0.3 seconds quicker than the outgoing car.
Engine and Performance Numbers
Under the bonnet, the M350 relies on a revised version of BMW’s 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-petrol unit, paired with 48-volt mild-hybrid hardware. The setup produces 443 hp and 580 Nm of peak torque, reflecting gains of 69 hp and 80 Nm over the existing Indian-spec M340i.
Power transfers through an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission to all four wheels via standard xDrive. BMW claims a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 4.1 seconds and an electronically governed top speed of 250 km/h.
The dropped “i” suffix aligns with BMW’s updated naming system, which reserves the letter for pure electric models like the upcoming i3. The change also indicates that BMW will not build a six-cylinder diesel counterpart, effectively ending the M340d lineage.
Chassis Upgrades and Drift Mode
The eighth-generation sedan features a longer wheelbase and wider track widths, improving high-speed composure on highways and curvy sections alike. Up front, the chassis uses a double-joint spring strut axle, paired with a five-link setup at the rear. Steel suspension remains standard, while buyers can choose between an adaptive suspension setup for everyday comfort or an adaptive M package with stiffer dampers.
An M Sport differential and variable-ratio sport steering rack arrive as standard equipment. For the first time on a standard 3 Series model, BMW also offers 20-inch staggered performance tyres, sizing 245/35 R20 in the front and 275/30 R20 at the rear.
The standout technical addition is the “Drift Moment” feature. While previous iterations distributed power across all four wheels, this mode disconnects drive to the front axle entirely and channels all torque to the rear wheels. BMW plans to deliver this feature to customer cars through an over-the-air update during calendar year 2027.
Production of the new BMW 3 Series begins later this year, with global deliveries scheduled for 2027. Given the strong popularity of the locally assembled M340i in India, the M350 will follow as a key performance offering for the Indian market.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. Why is BMW replacing the M340i badge with M350?
A1. BMW is dropping the letter “i” from its petrol-powered car badges to avoid confusion with its all-electric “i” range, while the higher number reflects the jump in horsepower.
Q2. How much power does the new BMW M350 make?
A2. The 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine develops 443 hp and 580 Nm of torque, which is 69 hp more than the outgoing M340i.
Q3. What is Drift Mode on the BMW M350?
A3. Drift Mode decouples the front axle in the xDrive system, sending 100 percent of the engine torque to the rear wheels for controlled slides.
