BMW’s new 3 Series enters final testing stages as performance M350 model confirmed

BMW’s new 3 Series is nearing production readiness as it enters the final stages of testing.

The new 3 Series will sit alongside the already-released electric i3 as part of the German brand’s multi-energy approach, which sees it produce a variety of powertrains to suit different buyers.

The 3 Series will continue to offer a series of combustion engines, with a new M350 now confirmed as the range-topper.

Using a 3.0-litre twin-turbocharged six-cylinder engine, the M350 will be the most powerful 3 Series in the range, bringing 437bhp and 580Nm of torque for a 0-60mph time of just under four seconds. BMW says that the M350 will also manage a top speed of 155mph.

The new M350 will also get a function called ‘Drift Moment’. Designed to ‘maximise the joy of going sideways’, this feature will be activated by the car’s central screen and will allow drive from the engine to go straight to the rear wheels, rather than all four as in the car’s standard setting. It’s the first time that the feature will have been made available outside of BMW’s ‘M’ cars.

The new 3 Series will also be available with a broader range of engines, including both six- and four-cylinder units.

Inside, the new 3 Series gets the Panoramic iDrive found on the latest iX3 and i3, as well as BMW’s latest Operating System X software.

The new 3 Series is expected to be revealed in full before the end of the year.