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BMW's 3 Series gets a bold redesign — and a heated online reaction
The latest CGI renders circulating online — credited to Kolesa — depict the 2027 BMW 3 Series wearing the brand's Neue Klasse styling and have prompted a flood of opinions. This is far from a subtle evolution: BMW's compact sports sedan is getting one of the most radical visual overhauls in decades as the company unifies its future design language across models.
What the render shows
The images present a front end that departs sharply from the current G20 look. Key visual elements include:
- A slim, wide kidney grille that visually merges with the new headlight clusters.
- Narrow DRLs and revised lighting signatures that sit flush with the sharper front fascia.
- Prominent side vents and a large central intake that reinforce a sporty stance.
- A shorter, more muscular hood that rejects the clamshell trend popular elsewhere.
- Flush door handles for a cleaner profile and broad LED taillights at the rear.
At the back the render hints at an aggressive diffuser and cutouts for four exhaust tips, signaling a performance-focused model rather than a purely comfort-oriented variant.
Is this the M350?
Many observers believe the images represent the upcoming BMW M350 — the successor to the M340i. If so, expect the following mechanical features:
- A straight-six, twin-turbo 3.0-liter engine retained for the sportier models.
- Estimated output around 420 horsepower, which would bring it close to the older F80 M3's performance.
- xDrive all-wheel drive likely standard and an 8-speed automatic transmission assumed for the US market.
These specifications would keep the M350 positioned as a potent, near-M3 performer while the full M3 remains BMW's halo sports sedan.
Platform and electrification: two different roads
Underneath the combustion-engine 3 Series is expected to sit on an updated CLAR architecture — the same modular base that underpinned the G20 generation. This is an important distinction: BMW's forthcoming electric 3 Series will reportedly be built on the Neue Klasse EV architecture, not CLAR. That separation clarifies BMW's dual-track development strategy: one platform optimized for internal combustion powertrains, another for next-generation EV batteries and electric drive systems.
Touring variant and market rollout
The redesign won't be exclusive to the sedan. A new 3 Series Touring (station wagon) is rumored to remain in production for markets that still favor long-roof practicality, particularly in Europe. However, US buyers should expect only the four-door sedan — the long-roof variant typically won't be offered stateside.
Reports suggest production will begin roughly a year from now, positioning the car as a 2027 model year arrival for the United States.
"This is a clear stylistic pivot for BMW — one that mixes cues from the brand's past with a future-facing identity," an industry analyst commented. "Expect spirited debate among purists and fans alike."
Final take
Whether you love or loathe the Neue Klasse interpretation shown in these renders, the upcoming 3 Series appears set to be a decisive chapter for BMW's design direction. With a potent M350 reportedly on the way, updated architecture beneath the skin, and a clear separation between ICE and EV lines, the 2027 3 Series will be a key model for BMW as it navigates the transition from combustion toward electrification.
Highlights:
- Radical exterior overhaul inspired by Neue Klasse design language
- M350 expected to keep 3.0L straight-six twin-turbo with ~420 hp
- Combustion 3 Series on updated CLAR; electric version on Neue Klasse EV platform
- Sedan confirmed for the US; Touring likely Europe-only
Do these renders change your view of the next 3 Series? The debate online suggests BMW has once again succeeded in getting people talking.
Source: autoevolution
Comments
v8rider
Is BMW actually gonna put that grille on the 3? Looks wild, maybe the M350 will be a beast, but the front feels overstyled. if thats real... wow
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