This popular luxury saloon will be replaced next year – and we’ve spotted it testing
March 25, 2025 by Jamie Edkins
Car changing is a big deal
This is the all-new BMW 3 Series, and it’ll be available with both petrol and electric power when it goes on sale next year. Keep an eye on this page for all the latest news.
- New BMW 3 Series spotted
- All-new styling similar to Neue Klasse concept
- Popular saloon car to gain electric power
- Petrol engines will also still be offered
- Full reveal in 2026
An all-new BMW 3 Series is on the horizon, and Carwow’s spy photographers have managed to snap it during development testing. It’ll be styled after the Neue Klasse concept from 2023, which will mean it sports a radical new look.
You’ll be able to buy the 3 Series with either electric or petrol power when it goes on sale in 2026, with the EV packing some new tech which could deliver around 400 miles of range.
New BMW 3 Series design
The new BMW 3 Series will get a totally new design courtesy of the Neue Klasse concept which was revealed in 2023. It’s a radically different look to the current car.
While the current crop of BMWs use massive central grilles, this new 3 Series has much slimmer and wider kidneys which neatly blend into the headlights. It appears to have a much more angular look up front as well.
The side profile is very similar to the new 5 Series, just on a slightly smaller scale. It’s a traditional three-box saloon, as opposed to the new Audi A5 which has a liftback tailgate, and this prototype is on some sporty-looking alloys.
This suggests that you’re looking at the M340i version, another giveaway being the quad tailpipes on this test car. The all-electric has also been spotted testing, and that car has no fake exhausts in sight.
New BMW 3 Series engines and motors
You’ll be able to get the new BMW 3 Series with both petrol and electric power options, with the latter using a new collection of parts which we’ll also see on the new iX3.
There are no exact details around range or performance just yet, but BMW has said that cars based on the Neue Klasse platform will have a new type of battery which is 20% more power dense, as well as motors which are 28% more efficient.
To put this into context the current BMW i4 has 315 miles of range, so the new 3 Series is likely to get very close to 400 miles on a charge.
As for the petrol models, BMW is unlikely to develop any all-new engines for this car with a ban on the sale of new petrol-powered cars looming. You can therefore expect to see a similar range of 2.0-litre turbocharged units to the current 3 Series, although they may get mild hybrid technology to make them more fuel efficient. A 3.0-litre straight six could also be on the cards for the hot M340i version.
New BMW 3 Series – when can I buy one?
Not for a while yet. The new BMW iX3 will be revealed before the new 3 Series, and that car isn’t coming until near the end of the year. The 3 Series is therefore expected to go on sale in early 2026.
Car change? Carwow!
Looking for a new set of wheels? With Carwow you can sell your car quickly and for a fair price – as well as find great offers on your next one. Whether you’re looking to buy a car brand new, are after something used or you want to explore car leasing options, Carwow is your one stop shop for new car deals.
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