BMW 3 Series 2026 Launched: Specs, Features and WLTP Figures

BMW has unveiled the new 3 Series, extending its long-running sporting legacy into the Neue Klasse era. The biggest highlight is the all-new BMW i3, the first fully electric 3 Series, offered initially in i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive forms. Petrol models with 48V mild-hybrid technology will also be available, while a plug-in hybrid is planned for the coming year.

The new 3 Series adopts a sharper, more modern design with a longer wheelbase, short overhangs, flush-fitting door handles and a distinctive front-end light signature. Inside, the sedan introduces BMW Panoramic iDrive, BMW Operating System X, a 17.9-inch central display and advanced driver-assistance technology, creating a more digital and driver-focused cabin.

At the top of the combustion-engine range, the BMW M350 xDrive combines a 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol engine with 48V mild-hybrid assistance. It produces 443 hp and accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.1 seconds. Meanwhile, the electric BMW i3 50 xDrive delivers 469 hp, a claimed WLTP range of up to 912 km and 400 kW DC fast charging.

The new BMW 3 Series therefore offers a broad choice of powertrains, from efficient mild-hybrid petrol engines to long-range electric models, while retaining the performance-focused character associated with the nameplate.

1. BMW 3 Series specifications

Specification	BMW 318	BMW 320	BMW M350 xDrive	BMW i3 40 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
Powertrain	2.0-litre petrol, 48V mild hybrid	2.0-litre petrol, 48V mild hybrid	3.0-litre petrol, 48V mild hybrid	Battery-electric, dual-motor AWD	Battery-electric, dual-motor AWD
Total / maximum output	115 kW / 156 hp	155 kW / 211 hp	326 kW / 443 hp	275 kW / 374 hp	345 kW / 469 hp
Total / maximum torque	250 Nm	330 Nm	580 Nm	520 Nm	645 Nm
Transmission	8-speed Steptronic	8-speed Steptronic	8-speed Steptronic	Single-speed fixed ratio	Single-speed fixed ratio
Drive layout	Petrol mild hybrid	Petrol mild hybrid	xDrive all-wheel drive	Electric all-wheel drive	Electric all-wheel drive
0–100 km/h	9.5 s	7.4 s	4.1 s	5.4 s	4.7 s
Top speed	215 km/h	240 km/h	250 km/h, electronically limited	200 km/h, electronically limited	200 km/h, electronically limited
Fuel / electricity consumption	7.5–6.5 l/100 km	7.5–6.5 l/100 km	8.2–7.5 l/100 km	17.9–14.3 kWh/100 km	18.0–13.4 kWh/100 km
WLTP range	—	—	—	566–710 km	729–911 km
Luggage capacity	450 litres	450 litres	450 litres	420 litres	420 litres

2. Body, dimensions and load capacity

The combustion-engine models share the same overall length, width, height and wheelbase. The electric i3 variants are slightly wider and taller, with a longer wheelbase and a smaller boot, while adding a 31-litre front storage compartment.

Body specification	BMW 318	BMW 320	BMW M350 xDrive	BMW i3 40 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
Body style	Sedan	Sedan	Sedan	BEV sedan	BEV sedan
Doors / seats	4 / 5	4 / 5	4 / 5	4 / 5	4 / 5
Length × width × height, unladen	4,765 × 1,850 × 1,455 mm	4,765 × 1,850 × 1,455 mm	4,765 × 1,850 × 1,455 mm	4,760 × 1,865 × 1,480 mm	4,760 × 1,865 × 1,480 mm
Wheelbase	2,860 mm	2,860 mm	2,860 mm	2,897 mm	2,897 mm
Track width, front / rear	1,597 / 1,617 mm	1,597 / 1,617 mm	1,595 / 1,599 mm	1,606 / 1,613 mm	1,606 / 1,613 mm
Turning circle	11.7 m	11.7 m	12.1 m	12.2 m	12.2 m
Luggage compartment	450 l	450 l	450 l	420 l	420 l
Front storage compartment	—	—	—	31 l	31 l
Fuel tank / battery	59 l	59 l	59 l	82.8 kWh battery	108.7 kWh battery
Unladen weight, DIN / EU	1,680 / 1,755 kg	1,680 / 1,755 kg	1,860 / 1,935 kg	2,090 / 2,165 kg	2,205 / 2,280 kg
DIN payload	550 kg	550 kg	560 kg	505 kg	505 kg
Permitted total weight	2,230 kg	2,230 kg	2,420 kg	2,595 kg	2,710 kg
Permitted axle loads, front / rear	1,050 / 1,235 kg	1,050 / 1,235 kg	1,190 / 1,290 kg	1,190 / 1,450 kg	1,260 / 1,490 kg
Braked / unbraked trailer load	1,300 / 750 kg	1,800 / 750 kg	1,800 / 750 kg	1,800 / 750 kg	1,800 / 750 kg
Roof load / towbar download	75 / 75 kg	75 / 75 kg	75 / 75 kg	75 / 75 kg	75 / 75 kg
Aerodynamic drag, cx × A	0.26 × 2.29 m²	0.26 × 2.29 m²	0.28 × 2.29 m²	0.21 × 2.35 m²	0.21 × 2.35 m²

3. Petrol mild-hybrid powertrains

The BMW 318 and 320 use a four-cylinder petrol engine with a belt-driven starter generator and 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. The M350 xDrive uses a six-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor integrated into the transmission.

Engine specification	BMW 318	BMW 320	BMW M350 xDrive
BMW drive technology	TwinPower Turbo, turbocharger, direct injection, High Precision Injection, VALVETRONIC and Double-VANOS	Same	Same, with electric motor integrated in transmission
Cylinder configuration / valves	Inline 4 / 4	Inline 4 / 4	Inline 6 / 4
Displacement	1,998 cm³	1,998 cm³	2,998 cm³
Stroke / bore	94.6 / 82.0 mm	94.6 / 82.0 mm	94.6 / 82.0 mm
Compression ratio	11.0:1	11.0:1	11.0:1
Minimum fuel grade	RON 91	RON 91	RON 91
Combustion-engine output	115 kW / 156 hp	155 kW / 211 hp	313 kW / 426 hp
Engine output speed	4,500–6,500 rpm	4,900–6,500 rpm	5,600–6,500 rpm
Combustion-engine torque	250 Nm	330 Nm	540 Nm
Engine torque speed	1,400–4,300 rpm	1,500–4,400 rpm	1,980–5,400 rpm
Electric motor output	8 kW / 11 hp	8 kW / 11 hp	13 kW / 18 hp
Electric motor torque	25 Nm	25 Nm	200 Nm
12V / 48V battery	60 Ah / 19.2 Ah	60 Ah / 19.2 Ah	60 Ah / 19.2 Ah
Total system output	115 kW / 156 hp	155 kW / 211 hp	326 kW / 443 hp
Total system torque	250 Nm	330 Nm	580 Nm

4. Electric BMW i3 xDrive powertrains

The BMW i3 40 xDrive and i3 50 xDrive use BMW sixth-generation eDrive technology. Each has an electric motor at the front and rear axle, providing electric all-wheel drive and energy recuperation through the motor-generator system.

Electric specification	BMW i3 40 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
Drive concept	Dual-motor electric all-wheel drive	Dual-motor electric all-wheel drive
Maximum system output	275 kW / 374 hp	345 kW / 469 hp
Maximum system torque	520 Nm	645 Nm
Power-to-weight ratio	7.6 kg/kW	6.4 kg/kW
Transmission	Single-speed fixed ratio	Single-speed fixed ratio
Front motor peak output	123 kW / 167 hp	123 kW / 167 hp
Front motor peak torque	255 Nm	255 Nm
Rear motor peak output	195 kW / 265 hp	240 kW / 326 hp
Rear motor peak torque	345 Nm	435 Nm
Battery technology	Lithium-ion	Lithium-ion
Battery location	Underbody	Underbody
Battery voltage	671.6 V	698.9 V
Net battery energy	82.8 kWh	108.7 kWh

5. Transmission and gearing

All petrol models use an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. The listed forward and reverse ratios are common to the 318, 320 and M350 xDrive; the rear-axle ratio differs by model.

Gear	Ratio
1st	5.250:1
2nd	3.360:1
3rd	2.172:1
4th	1.720:1
5th	1.316:1
6th	1.000:1
7th	0.822:1
8th	0.640:1
Reverse	3.712:1

Rear-axle specification	BMW 318	BMW 320	BMW M350 xDrive
Rear-axle ratio	2.929:1	2.929:1	3.077:1

The electric i3 models replace the multi-speed automatic transmission with a single-speed transmission using a fixed ratio.

6. Performance, consumption and emissions

Performance or efficiency figure	BMW 318	BMW 320	BMW M350 xDrive	BMW i3 40 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
0–100 km/h	9.5 s	7.4 s	4.1 s	5.4 s	4.7 s
Top speed	215 km/h	240 km/h	250 km/h, electronically limited	200 km/h, electronically limited	200 km/h, electronically limited
WLTP combined consumption	7.5–6.5 l/100 km	7.5–6.5 l/100 km	8.2–7.5 l/100 km	17.9–14.3 kWh/100 km	18.0–13.4 kWh/100 km
EnVKV stated consumption	7.5 l/100 km	7.5 l/100 km	8.2 l/100 km	17.9–14.3 kWh/100 km	18.0–13.4 kWh/100 km
Motorway consumption, WLTP Extra High	—	—	—	22.0–17.8 kWh/100 km	22.0–16.7 kWh/100 km
WLTP combined range	—	—	—	566–710 km	729–911 km
Individual-configuration range	—	—	—	566–710 km	729–912 km
CO₂ emissions	169–148 g/km	169–148 g/km	187–171 g/km	—	—
EnVKV stated CO₂ emissions	169 g/km	169 g/km	187 g/km	—	—
CO₂ class	F	F	G	A	A

7. Charging specifications for the BMW i3

Charging detail	BMW i3 40 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
AC charging, 0–100% at 11 kW	8 h 15 min	11 h
AC charging, 0–100% at 22 kW	4 h 15 min	5 h 30 min
DC fast charging, 10–80%	21 min at 300 kW	21 min at 400 kW
Maximum three-phase AC charging power	11.0 kW; 22.0 kW optional	11.0 kW; 22.0 kW optional
Maximum DC charging power	300 kW	400 kW
Additional range after 10 minutes of high-power DC charging	251–337 km	320–423 km
Vehicle-to-Load	Optional, 3.7 kW AC	Optional, 3.7 kW AC
Vehicle-to-Home	11.0 kW DC	11.0 kW DC
Vehicle-to-Grid	11.0 kW DC	11.0 kW DC

8. Chassis, steering, brakes and tyres

Chassis specification	BMW 318	BMW 320	BMW M350 xDrive	BMW i3 40 xDrive	BMW i3 50 xDrive
Front suspension	Double-wishbone axle, lightweight aluminium-steel construction	Same	Same	Two-joint spring-strut axle with tension strut and anti-roll bar	Same
Rear suspension	Five-link axle, lightweight aluminium-steel construction	Same	Same	Five-link axle with separately arranged springs and dampers	Same
Front brakes	Single-piston, fixed-caliper ventilated discs	Same	Four-piston, fixed-caliper ventilated discs	Single-piston, floating-caliper ventilated discs	Same
Rear brakes	Single-piston, floating-caliper ventilated discs	Same	Single-piston, floating-caliper ventilated discs	Single-piston, floating-caliper ventilated discs	Same
Steering	Electric rack-and-pinion steering; variable sport steering optional	Same	Electric rack-and-pinion steering with variable sport steering	Electric rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic	Same
Steering wheel turns, lock to lock	—	—	—	2.7	2.7
Front / rear tyres	245/45 R18 100 Y XL	245/45 R18 100 Y XL	245/40 R19 98 Y XL / 255/40 R19 100 Y XL	245/45 R19 102 W/Y XL	245/45 R19 102 W/Y XL
Front / rear wheels	8J × 18 light alloy	8J × 18 light alloy	8.5J × 19 / 9J × 19 light alloy	8J × 19 light alloy	8J × 19 light alloy

9. Driving stability and safety equipment

Petrol models

The 318 and 320 include BMW’s standard DSC package with ABS, ASC and Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, Brake Assist, brake drying, Fade Compensation, a drive-off assistant and Performance Control. Adaptive M suspension is listed as optional. The M350 xDrive additionally includes xDrive all-wheel drive networked with DSC and adaptive M suspension as standard.

Electric models

The i3 models use BMW’s integrated “Heart of Joy” drivetrain and driving-dynamics management, an integrated braking system, DSC with ABS, ASC and Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control, brake drying, Fade Compensation, a drive-off assistant, Hill Descent Control and Trailer Stability Control.

Standard safety equipment

The supplied technical data lists the following safety equipment across the range:

Safety feature	Specification
Airbags	Driver and passenger airbags, side airbags, interaction airbag between driver and passenger, and front and rear head airbags
Seat belts	Three-point automatic-reel belts on all seats; front belts include belt tensioners and belt-force limiters. The M350 also lists a belt stopper.
Crash protection	Crash sensors
Tyre monitoring	Tyre-pressure display
Trailer support	Trailer Stability Control is listed for the i3 models

10. BMW Efficient Dynamics features

The petrol 3 Series models include 48-volt mild-hybrid technology, brake-energy recuperation with a recuperation indicator, Auto Start Stop, Personal and Efficient driving modes with coasting, Route-ahead Assistant, an optimum-shift indicator, electromechanical power steering, BMW

Efficient Lightweight construction, aerodynamic optimisation, active air-flap control, demand-controlled auxiliary units, a map-controlled oil pump, efficiency-optimised drivetrain components and tyres with reduced rolling resistance.

The M350 xDrive specification additionally identifies efficiency-optimised all-wheel drive, rear axle and transfer gearbox components.

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