BMW has given journalists an early taste of the upcoming 3 Series before removing its camouflage, revealing the performance of the new M350 xDrive during testing at the company’s proving ground outside Miramas in southern France.
BMW M350 xDrive Targets 4.1-Second Sprint
The M350 xDrive features launch control and an upgraded engine paired with an eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW’s M division quotes a 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds.
Although we were unable to time the car independently, the M350 xDrive felt fast during the drive. On paper, its claimed acceleration is 0.3 seconds quicker than the M340i xDrive it replaces in Europe.
The previous M Performance “G20” was detuned compared with its U.S. counterpart to meet emissions regulations. BMW’s North American branch, however, quotes the same 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) time of 4.1 seconds for the M350 rather than using a 0-60 mph (96 km/h) measurement.
The outgoing sports sedan completes the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.1 seconds. In theory, that could make the M350 xDrive slightly quicker in the U.S.
The increased performance comes from a major power boost, with the B58 engine upgraded to 437 hp and 428 lb-ft (580 Nm). BMW also says the new 3 Series is a larger car, meaning it will inevitably be heavier.
New iDrive X Adds Launch Control Guide
The new iDrive X system features a central 17.9-inch touchscreen with a dedicated launch control menu. The display shows the steps the driver needs to complete before the system engages.
Requirements include specific steering angle, brake pedal force and accelerator pedal angle. BMW did not provide extensive details because the vehicle remains a prototype, but launch control is likely to operate only in certain drive modes and with specific transmission and traction control settings.
Once all the required conditions are met, the driver releases the brake pedal and the car launches forward.
BMW M350 xDrive Gets a 2WD Mode
For now, BMW is only discussing the M350 with xDrive. Questions about whether a rear-wheel-drive successor to the M340i is planned received inconclusive responses.
Even so, the absence of a rear-wheel-drive version would be less significant because the all-wheel-drive M350 xDrive will offer a pure 2WD mode. That gives the M Lite 3 Series a feature borrowed from the M3’s playbook.
Drift Mode Coming as a 2027 Software Update
The new 3 Series will not launch with the so-called “Drift Moment” feature. Instead, BMW plans to introduce it through a software over-the-air update in 2027.
The “G50” is expected to break cover in late September, with European deliveries scheduled to begin by the end of the year or in early 2027.
