BMW to Unveil All-New 3-Series on September 29

BMW will unveil the all-new 3-Series on September 29, six months after the debut of the all-electric i3. The German marque confirmed the date with a teaser shared on social media, setting the stage for one of its most significant model launches in years. The sedan will make its public debut on September 30 in Europe, corresponding to the evening of September 29 in the United States.

The new 3-Series will adopt BMW's Neue Klasse design philosophy, marking a sharp departure from the current model. The most visible change is a move away from the large kidney grilles that have defined BMW's styling for the past decade. Instead, the car will feature slimmer, wider grilles that flow seamlessly into the headlights. Each headlight will incorporate two diagonal slashes as daytime running lights, a signature first seen on the i3 sedan. The rear will also echo the i3, with similar LED taillights, tailgate and diffuser treatments.

Despite the visual similarities, the combustion-powered 3-Series will differ from its electric sibling in key proportions. It will have a longer hood, a larger rear overhang and a more conventional windshield. Underneath, the two cars diverge more fundamentally: while the i3 uses BMW's dedicated Neue Klasse platform, the new 3-Series will retain an updated version of the existing CLAR architecture. That decision preserves compatibility with combustion powertrains while still allowing the model to benefit from the brand's latest design language.

Inside, the cabin has been comprehensively overhauled. The new 3-Series will adopt BMW's Panoramic iDrive system and a slanted infotainment display, as already seen on models including the iX3, i3 and the new X5. The changes reflect BMW's broader push to modernise its interior technology across the range.

Performance details remain incomplete, but BMW has confirmed a new M350 xDrive variant. It will replace the M340i xDrive and use a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, producing 437hp and 428 lb-ft of torque. Those figures exceed the F80-generation M3, underlining how far the 3-Series has progressed in a decade. An eight-speed automatic transmission and an all-wheel-drive system will be fitted, the latter including a rear-wheel-drive-only mode named «Drift Moment».

The full model range has yet to be announced. BMW has also indicated that new versions of the six-cylinder M3 and M4 are planned, though they are not expected to launch until 2028 and 2030 respectively. The September unveiling will therefore mark the first step in a longer renewal of BMW's core sedan line-up.

3Views

Author

Charlotte Redford

News Editor

Charlotte Redford covers public affairs, politics, business, culture and daily news for Nobel. The role focuses on verification, context, and clear explanations for readers.

All articles by this author