Carwow First Look at the 2027 BMW M350 With 443 HP

The new BMW 3 Series is taking a major step forward, and the M350 is shaping up to be one of the most interesting versions of the new generation. BMW has changed the styling, upgraded the chassis, introduced a completely new interior experience, and given the M Performance model a significant boost in power. At the same time, the company has kept something many enthusiasts will appreciate: a powerful gasoline engine under the hood.

The engine lineup starts with the 318, which uses a 2.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine producing 156 horsepower and 250 Newton meters of torque. That version is not planned for the United Kingdom. Instead, the United Kingdom will receive the 320 with 211 horsepower and 330 Newton meters of torque. A 330 model is also planned for the United States, although BMW has not yet confirmed its final performance figures.

A plug in hybrid version will also join the lineup, again using a 2.0 liter turbocharged gasoline engine as part of its powertrain. BMW has not revealed the complete output figures for that model yet. One major change is the absence of a diesel option.

For performance enthusiasts, however, the M350 is where things become much more interesting.

Under the hood is BMW’s familiar B58 3.0 liter turbocharged straight 6 engine. In the M350, it produces an impressive 443 horsepower and 580 Newton meters of torque. For comparison, the previous performance model produced 392 horsepower and 540 Newton meters. That is a substantial increase and gives the M350 performance figures that would have seemed like full BMW M territory not very long ago.

The M350 will use 4 wheel drive, but BMW is adding another feature that should get the attention of enthusiasts. The system is designed to offer a 2 wheel drive mode that can send power to the rear wheels. BMW has also fitted a rear limited slip differential, giving the car a much more playful character when conditions allow.

There is one catch. The rear wheel drive mode will not be available when the first production cars arrive. BMW is still completing development of the feature. Fortunately, early owners will not need to replace anything or trade their cars for later examples. Because the feature is software based, BMW plans to activate it through an over the air update once it is ready.

The chassis underneath the gasoline powered 3 Series is also important because, despite the visual similarities, this car does not share its platform with the electric BMW i3. The new 3 Series is based on a heavily revised evolution of the current G20 architecture.

BMW has strengthened the structure to handle the additional performance and wider tires. On the M350, additional chassis bracing has been installed around the rear suspension, while further structural reinforcement is used at the front. The goal is to reduce unwanted movement when the car is accelerating hard or experiencing high cornering loads.

Visually, the new 3 Series shares a strong family resemblance with the electric i3. The M350 receives a more aggressive lower front bumper along with distinctive lighting details that help separate it from the standard models.

BMW has also introduced one particularly useful software feature called Routines. Drivers can configure the car to automatically change certain settings whenever they start driving. For example, a routine can be created to switch off the acoustic speed limit warning or lane departure warning automatically. The automatic start stop function can also be included.

That means drivers will not necessarily have to repeat the same sequence of button presses every time they get into the car. The vehicle can recognize the selected routine and configure those settings automatically.

Although the gasoline 3 Series and electric i3 look remarkably similar from the outside, their proportions are not identical. The electric car has a slightly longer wheelbase and is slightly taller and wider. The gasoline model also has a noticeably longer hood because it needs space for its longitudinal combustion engine.

Those platform differences become even more noticeable inside.

The electric i3 offers more rear knee room and a completely flat floor because there is no conventional exhaust system or driveshaft tunnel running through the center. However, its battery pack sits beneath the passenger compartment, raising the floor and reducing the depth of the rear footwells.

The gasoline 3 Series has a larger transmission tunnel and slightly less knee room, but passengers can place their feet lower and farther underneath the front seats. That provides better thigh support and could actually make the rear seat more comfortable for some passengers despite the smaller amount of measurable space.

Up front, BMW has brought much of the i3’s new interior design into the gasoline powered 3 Series. One of the most noticeable technologies is BMW Panoramic Vision, which projects important driving information across a wide area near the base of the windshield.

The M350 can display performance information including tire pressures, tire temperatures, engine revolutions and a G meter. There is even an M Drag Meter for recording acceleration runs such as 0 to 60 miles per hour and 1 quarter mile times.

An optional conventional head up display is also available, although its installation creates a noticeable raised section on top of the dashboard. Since Panoramic Vision already provides important information directly in the driver’s field of view, some buyers may find the additional display unnecessary.

The main infotainment display uses an unusual trapezoidal design, while the cabin combines modern digital technology with good quality materials. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are supported, although navigation directions from those smartphone systems are not displayed through Panoramic Vision in the same way as BMW’s native navigation system.

The M350 gets its own sporty steering wheel with M colored stitching, paddle shifters and dedicated performance controls. A boost function can temporarily sharpen the car’s response when the driver wants immediate performance while cruising in a more efficient setting. Pressing the control gives the car more aggressive throttle response and transmission behavior for a short period.

Sport seats are another M350 feature, along with M detailing on the seat belts. Optional crystal style controls add another premium touch to the center console.

BMW has also made sure the M350 looks more serious from behind. There is a small trunk lid spoiler with a central cutout, a sporty rear diffuser treatment and, importantly, 4 real exhaust outlets.

Upgraded sport brakes with red calipers are fitted, and adaptive dampers are standard on the M350. Lesser 3 Series models will also be available with adaptive dampers as an option.

The M350 comes with 19 inch alloy wheels as standard, while 20 inch wheels will also be available. Buyers looking for additional track capability can select higher performance Bridgestone tires, with wider rear tires providing additional grip.

There is one surprising compromise in practicality. Trunk capacity has dropped from 480 liters in the previous car to 420 liters in the new generation. The rear seats still offer a 3 way split folding design, making it possible to carry longer items when necessary. Buyers who need substantially more cargo room will naturally have the Touring as another option.

Overall, the new BMW 3 Series represents an unusual balancing act. BMW has given the car an interior and exterior design closely connected to its latest electric models while continuing to offer a traditional gasoline powered sports sedan underneath.

The M350 takes that formula considerably further. With 443 horsepower, a B58 straight 6 engine, 4 wheel drive, an upcoming rear wheel drive mode, a limited slip differential, adaptive suspension and real quad exhaust outlets, it retains many of the ingredients enthusiasts want from a performance BMW.

At a time when electrification is changing nearly every part of the automotive industry, the new 3 Series shows that BMW is not finished developing its combustion powered sports sedan. And judging by the specifications of the M350, it is certainly not sending it quietly into retirement.