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BMW drops the i from 320 as new 3 Series sedan keeps four-cylinder engine
BMW has renamed the 320i as the 320 and shown the eighth-generation 3 Series sedan, which uses an evolved 2.0-litre turbo four with mild hybrid assistance.
By George Kensington · 3 min read
BMW has dropped the «i» suffix from the 320i, so the entry-level petrol version of its 3 Series sedan is now simply called the 320. The company says the letter is being reserved for electric models from here on, which means combustion and hybrid cars will carry plainer badges. The new 320 replaces the outgoing G20 320i and is built at BMW's Dingolfing plant in Germany as part of the eighth-generation 3 Series, codenamed G50.
The car pictured in fresh photographs was finished in Polarized Grey and fitted with the optional M Sport Package. It rides on 20-inch two-tone wheels, and its exhaust tips are tucked away under the rear bumper rather than appearing as obvious chrome outlets. Inside, the test car features a Digital White interior with a matching white steering wheel. A head-up display is available as an option, and a panoramic glass roof is fitted as standard. There is no conventional sunshade, and the traditional sunroof is no longer offered, so the glass roof is the only roof option on the car.
Power comes from an evolved version of the B48 engine, a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with a mild hybrid system. It produces 208 horsepower and 330 Nm of torque. BMW's figures put the 0–62 mph sprint at 7.4 seconds, with a top speed of 149 mph. That is the same acceleration time as the old 320i, despite the extra power on offer. The difference is weight: the sedan has gained 165 kg and now tips the scales at 1,680 kg, a gain the source attributes to safety regulations rather than to any change in the car's engineering priorities.
Series production has started, and deliveries are expected in the first quarter of 2027. The 320 sits alongside an entry-level 318 model. In the United States, the equivalent car is badged 330 and positioned below the M350. A plug-in hybrid version is due next year, while BMW is not planning a diesel version of the 3 Series.
Beyond the production model, the source reports rumours about the wider 3 Series family, though BMW has not confirmed any of them. A high-performance M3, codenamed G84, is reportedly expected by 2028, and it may not be offered with a manual gearbox or with rear-wheel drive. Touring estate versions, codenamed G51 and an M3 Touring codenamed G88, are reportedly under consideration. Separately, a fully electric i3 Touring is expected in 2027, with a possible M-performance version under the ZA1 code. These details come from a BMW enthusiast blog rather than an official BMW announcement, so they should be treated as unconfirmed.
Source: bmwblog.com
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