BMW 3 Series G50 2026: why the combustion saloon isn't going away

While the industry was promising the end of combustion saloons, BMW has chosen not to pick a side. The BMW 3 Series G50 2026 embodies this strategy: a petrol and diesel generation that will coexist with a 100% electric 3 Series.

The context: two 3 Series for the same decade

The 3 Series is BMW's historic pillar, the saloon that has defined the brand for generations. For its next evolution, the Munich manufacturer has made an unusual choice: splitting the model into two distinct lines. On one side, an electric 3 Series built on the new Neue Klasse platform, often referred to as the i3 (internal code NA0). On the other, the G50, which keeps combustion engines.

As L'argus put it in its headline, "the combustion generation refuses to disappear". This is not an admission of lagging behind; it is a pragmatic reading of the market. Not every customer is ready to switch to electric at the same pace, and charging infrastructure is progressing unevenly across countries and use cases.

An important note before going further: BMW has not yet released a complete official specification sheet for either the G50 or the i3 saloon. This article therefore clearly separates what is established from what remains to be confirmed. We will not publish any figure until it has been verified.

What exactly is the BMW 3 Series G50?

G50 is the development code for the next combustion-powered 3 Series. It will succeed the current generation and take on the role of the rear-wheel-drive combustion saloon, the very role that built the model's reputation among demanding drivers.

What sets it apart from its electric sibling is, above all, its architecture. The i3 is based on the Neue Klasse, a platform designed from the outset for batteries and electric motors. The G50, by contrast, must house an engine, a gearbox and a fuel tank. The two cars will likely share a design language and onboard technologies, but not the same structure.

• Code name: G50, for the combustion version.
• Role: premium saloon with petrol and diesel engines, offered alongside the electric model.
• Electric sibling: Neue Klasse 3 Series, known as the i3 (NA0).
• Official specification sheet: not yet published.

Why is BMW keeping a combustion 3 Series?

The answer comes down to a phrase BMW has been repeating for years: technology openness. Rather than betting on a single energy source, the brand wants to offer every customer the powertrain suited to their real-world use. The 3 Series is sold in very different markets, and demand for electric is not growing at the same pace everywhere.

For a driver who covers long motorway distances without regular access to a fast charger, a combustion saloon remains a rational choice. For a city dweller who charges at home, electric becomes the obvious answer. By keeping both, BMW avoids forcing the hand of its most loyal customers.

1. Protect sales in markets where electric is growing slowly.
2. Serve high-mileage drivers without a regular fast-charging option.
3. Stay flexible as European regulations evolve.
4. Preserve the image of a driver's saloon, true to the model's DNA.

What do we know about the electric 3 Series alongside it?

The i3 saloon is expected to draw on the technical building blocks of the BMW iX3 Neue Klasse, the SUV unveiled at the Munich motor show in September 2025. Battery, motors and electronics would be shared, with the saloon benefiting from better aerodynamics than the SUV.

We are making a deliberate editorial choice here: range, battery capacity and charging power figures are circulating, but they have not yet been verified for the saloon. Rather than repeat estimates, we are waiting for homologated data. The trend, however, is clear: the Neue Klasse marks a generational leap for BMW in efficiency and charging, and that is precisely what makes its coexistence with the G50 worth following.

Which rivals will the 3 Series G50 take on?

The compact premium saloon segment is one of the most hotly contested in Europe. Two rivals stand out, each with an opposing approach. To stay honest, our comparison blocks cover positioning and architecture, without unconfirmed figures.

BMW 3 Series G50

• Energy: petrol and diesel.
• Architecture: dedicated combustion platform, separate from the Neue Klasse.
• Positioning: premium saloon focused on driving pleasure.
• Key strength: freedom of use with no reliance on charging.
• Data status: official specification sheet to come.

Mercedes CLA

• Energy: electric, with a hybrid offering announced by the brand.
• Architecture: new generation developed for electrification.
• Positioning: premium coupé-saloon with flowing design.
• Key strength: high-tech image and refined cabin ambience.
• Data status: to be compared on homologated specification sheets.

Tesla Model 3

• Energy: 100% electric.
• Architecture: native electric platform.
• Positioning: tech-focused saloon, the benchmark of the electric segment.
• Key strength: proprietary charging network and over-the-air updates.
• Data status: to be compared on homologated specification sheets.

For a strictly premium combustion comparison, the Audi A4 (now the A5 under Audi's new naming scheme) remains the historic adversary. But it is against the electric models that the G50 will have to justify its existence.

Should you wait for the G50 or go electric?

It all depends on how you drive. If you charge at home or at the office and your daily journeys remain reasonable, the i3 Neue Klasse will probably be the most coherent 3 Series. If you drive a lot, often over long distances, and without fast chargers on your route, the G50 still makes sense.

The real trap would be buying too early, before prices, trims and residual values are known. During a period of technological transition, the depreciation of a purchased car is hard to predict. This is precisely where an all-inclusive subscription has the edge: you drive the technology that suits you today, without betting on tomorrow's used car market. With Turismo, you can switch energy type at the end of your commitment if your needs change.

Our verdict on the BMW 3 Series G50 2026

The G50 is not a rearguard battle. It is an insurance policy: BMW is giving its iconic saloon two parallel futures and letting the customer choose. On paper, this strategy is more reassuring than that of brands that have bet everything on a single energy source.

Our provisional verdict: the G50 is for high-mileage drivers and combustion saloon purists, the i3 for those who can charge easily. We will revise this judgement as soon as official specification sheets and pricing for Luxembourg, Belgium, France and Switzerland are published.

FAQ: BMW 3 Series G50

When is the BMW 3 Series G50 coming out?

The G50 is expected as a 2026 generation, but BMW has not yet confirmed a precise launch date for our markets. We will update this article as soon as it is announced.

Is the combustion BMW 3 Series going to disappear?

No. The G50 confirms that BMW is keeping a combustion-engined 3 Series, sold alongside the electric Neue Klasse version.

What is the difference between the G50 and the i3 Neue Klasse?

The G50 uses petrol and diesel engines on a combustion platform. The i3 is 100% electric and is based on the Neue Klasse platform, shared with the iX3 SUV.

How much will the new BMW 3 Series cost?

Official pricing has not yet been published. We will not share any price until it is confirmed by BMW.

Can you drive a BMW 3 Series without buying one?

Yes, through an all-inclusive car subscription such as Turismo, which bundles the vehicle, insurance and maintenance into a single monthly payment.

In summary

The BMW 3 Series G50 2026 continues the combustion lineage of the Munich saloon, alongside an electric i3 based on the Neue Klasse. Official specification sheets are still awaited, which makes this exactly the right moment to stay flexible.

Want to drive a premium saloon right now? Discover the models available with a Turismo subscription, all-inclusive with no down payment, and be the first to know when the new 3 Series arrives in our catalogue.