Next-Gen BMW M350 Revealed
BMW Confirms 443-HP M350 and Next-Generation 3 Series with Hybrid Power
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Key Points
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The M350 xDrive will produce 69 horsepower and 80 Nm more than the outgoing M340i, while improving the 0–100 kph acceleration time by 0.3 seconds.
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BMW will fit the new 3 Series with steel suspension as standard, with adaptive suspension systems available as optional equipment.
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The Drift Moment function will not be available at launch; BMW plans to add it sometime next year through an over-the-air software update, including to cars delivered before the feature is introduced.
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BMW has not confirmed a successor to the current M340d diesel performance model, and the removal of the “i” suffix from the M350 badge may indicate that a diesel-powered performance variant is being discontinued.
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BMW executive Mihiar Ayoubi said the new 3 Series will use an “intelligent BMW Driving Stack” alongside its chassis hardware to deliver a more precise and assured driving experience.
BMW's next-generation 3 Series is coming by year-end with a more powerful M Performance variant. The new Miami Herald M350 xDrive packs 443 horsepower from a turbocharged inline-six engine, beating the current M340i by 69 horsepower and sprinting to 100 kph in roughly 4.1 seconds. The sedan joins BMW's Neue Klasse lineup with modern styling, improved tech, and a surprising drift feature coming later.
All new 3 Series models will use 48-volt mild-hybrid gasoline engines with four- or six-cylinder options, Autoblog reports. The range-topping M350 xDrive delivers 580 Nm of torque through an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, with a top speed of 250 kph. An over-the-air software update launching next year will add Drift Moment—letting the M350 send all power to the rear wheels for the first time in a 3 Series M Performance model.
New M350 Crushes the Outgoing M340i
The M350 xDrive replaces the M340i with serious power gains. Sacramento Bee confirms the new engine produces 443 horsepower and 580 Nm of torque—69 more horsepower and 80 Nm more torque than before. The acceleration jump is equally impressive: the M350 hits 100 kph in 4.1 seconds, shaving 0.3 seconds off the M340i's time. Top speed remains pegged at 250 kph.
The power bump comes from BMW's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is standard, improving traction and handling across weather conditions. Ledger-Enquirer notes that BMW executive Mihiar Ayoubi emphasized the car will use an "intelligent BMW Driving Stack" combining software and chassis hardware for sharper, more confident driving dynamics.
Drift Moment Coming Next Year as Software Update
BMW is adding a feature no 3 Series M Performance model has ever offered: rear-wheel-drive-only mode. Called Drift Moment, this over-the-air function will arrive sometime in 2025 as a free software update. San Luis Obispo reports the feature will roll out to both new cars and vehicles already delivered, giving existing owners the capability later.
The delayed launch lets BMW perfect the feature before release while keeping initial deliveries on track. Drivers will be able to toggle rear-wheel-drive engagement through the iDrive infotainment system, bridging the gap between daily driving and M3-style performance thrills.
Neue Klasse Tech and Suspension Options
The new 3 Series adopts BMW's modern Neue Klasse design language alongside updated interior tech. All models get the new Panoramic iDrive and Operating System X, streamlining controls and connectivity. Miami Herald confirms steel suspension comes as standard, with adaptive systems available as upgrades for buyers wanting sharper handling refinement.
A notable gap remains: BMW has not confirmed a diesel M Performance successor to the current M340d. The removal of the "i" suffix from the M badge—changing from M340i to M350—suggests diesel models may be discontinued from the performance lineup, reflecting industry trends toward gasoline and electric powertrains.
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