Next Gen BMW 3 Series M350 Spotted Packing Quad Exhaust Tips

The next-generation BMW 3 Series has broken cover in the most tantalising way possible, and petrolheads everywhere should be paying attention. Tucked away at the tail end of an official BMW video focused on the all-electric i3, the combustion-powered 3 Series, codenamed G50, made a fleeting but unmistakable cameo. The star of the show? Four exhaust tips jutting out from the rear bumper strongly suggest this is the upcoming BMW M350. It is a machine that promises to keep the fire burning for those who love the roar of a turbocharged engine and the feel of a rear-driven sports saloon.

Before anyone jumps to conclusions, this is not the next M3. BMW has been fitting quad exhaust setups to its M Performance models for some time now, and the 3 Series is following that same playbook. The M350 badge was even briefly spotted on BMW USA’s website before being pulled, all but confirming its existence. The name itself is a step up from the outgoing M340i, and the drop of the “i” suffix aligns with BMW’s revised naming strategy, which will reserve that letter exclusively for its electric fleet going forward.

Under the bonnet, the M350 is widely expected to carry an evolved version of the legendary B58 turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six. Word on the grid is that this powerplant could push beyond 400 horsepower, giving the saloon serious grunt straight out of the factory. Meanwhile, a full-blooded M3 is also revving up in the background under the G84 codename, likely to retain its twin-turbo S58 engine with some form of mild-hybrid assistance to sharpen performance without piling on unnecessary kerb weight.

The M3, however, is not expected to roll onto forecourts at the same time. Current speculation points to a 2028 debut, and it may arrive with a streamlined offering of xDrive all-wheel drive and an automatic gearbox only. BMW is also reportedly weighing up a combustion-powered 3 Series Touring, which opens the door to the tantalising prospect of an M3 estate reaching markets that missed out on the current G81 model, including the United States.

With the combustion-engined 3 Series expected to make its full debut in the coming months and deliveries pencilled in for late 2026 or early 2027, the road ahead looks packed with promise. BMW is clearly steering a course that honours the petrol-powered legacy of its most iconic nameplate while embracing new technology under the skin. For those who crave a driver-focused saloon with a straight-six heartbeat, the next chapter of the 3 Series is shaping up to be well worth the wait.