Particle.news
Download on the App Store

BMW Confirms M350 xDrive as Gas 3 Series Flagship With Drift Mode to Arrive Later

The car’s confirmed higher‑output inline‑six, with Drift Moment slated for over‑the‑air delivery in 2027, signals a move to software‑defined driving dynamics.

Overview

  • BMW completed final summer driving‑dynamics testing at Miramas and says production of the combustion 3 Series is due in the second half of 2026.
  • The M350 xDrive is powered by a 3.0‑litre turbo inline‑six with 48V mild‑hybrid assistance and provisional outputs of about 326 kW (≈437 hp) and 580 Nm, and BMW cites a 0–100 km/h time of 4.1 seconds.
  • Drift Moment will let the xDrive car send all engine drive to the rear axle to enable rear‑drive handling, but BMW will activate the feature via an over‑the‑air Remote Software Upgrade during 2027 rather than at initial delivery.
  • A new central driving‑dynamics computer called Heart of Joy, fed by a 6D Motion Observer sensor cluster, will coordinate brakes, stability control, steering and the rear differential to deliver software‑managed handling changes.
  • BMW is fitting 48V mild hybrids, aerodynamic and low‑friction measures across ICE variants and has signalled model rationalisation that industry reporting says likely ends the M340d diesel M‑Performance offering.