BMW’s core sports sedan is preparing for its next Australian chapter, and the entry point has now been set.
The eighth-generation 2027 BMW 3 Series will arrive locally in early 2027 with a deliberately focused two-model petrol line-up, stretching from the rear-wheel-drive 320 to the much quicker M350 xDrive.
It’s a simple split, but an important one for buyers who still see the 3 Series as BMW’s defining sedan.
At a glance
- The 2027 BMW 3 Series will launch in Australia from $83,900 before on-road costs.
- The range opens with the rear-drive 320 and steps up to the 326 kW M350 xDrive.
- Australian arrivals are scheduled for early 2027, with two petrol mild-hybrid variants confirmed.
A focused two-model Australian launch
BMW Australia has priced the new 3 Series sedan from $83,900 before on-road costs for the 320.
Above it sits the M350 xDrive, which starts at $128,900 before on-road costs.
That gives the eighth-generation 3 Series a clear local structure at launch, rather than a crowded range of closely spaced variants.
The 320 serves as the traditional executive sedan option, while the M350 xDrive is positioned for buyers who want serious pace without stepping into a full M model.
The 320 keeps the rear-drive 3 Series formula intact
The 320 uses a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine with mild-hybrid assistance.
Outputs are rated at 155 kW and 330 Nm, sent to the rear wheels through an eight-speed automatic transmission.
BMW claims a 0 to 100 km/h time of 7.4 seconds and a 240 km/h top speed.
Those numbers place the 320 firmly in the refined daily-driver space, rather than chasing outright performance.
The rear-wheel-drive layout is also important, because it keeps the base 3 Series connected to the handling balance that has long defined the badge.
M350 xDrive brings the six-cylinder performance brief
The M350 xDrive is the headline act of the confirmed Australian range.
Its 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine produces 326 kW and 580 Nm, with drive sent to all four wheels.
BMW claims the M350 xDrive will reach 100 km/h from rest in 4.1 seconds, while top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h.
That makes it considerably faster than the 320 and gives the 3 Series range a proper performance flagship from launch.
For Australian buyers, the appeal is obvious enough: a compact executive sedan with six-cylinder power, all-weather traction and a level of speed that once belonged to far more specialised machinery.
Details & Specifications
| Model | 2027 BMW 320 sedan |
|---|---|
| Price | $83,900 before on-road costs |
| Engine | 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol mild-hybrid |
| Power | 155 kW |
| Torque | 330 Nm |
| Drivetrain | Rear-wheel drive |
| Transmission | Eight-speed automatic |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 7.4 seconds |
| Top speed | 240 km/h |
| Model | 2027 BMW M350 xDrive sedan |
| Price | $128,900 before on-road costs |
| Engine | 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol |
| Power | 326 kW |
| Torque | 580 Nm |
| Drivetrain | All-wheel drive |
| 0 to 100 km/h | 4.1 seconds |
| Top speed | 250 km/h, electronically limited |
| Australian arrival | Early 2027 |
The new 3 Series arrives at a moment when luxury sedans have to work harder for attention, but BMW’s approach is refreshingly direct.
One variant keeps the classic rear-drive sedan brief alive, while the other gives the range a fast, six-cylinder flagship with the numbers to match its intent.
