BMW’s next-generation sports sedan lineup will split enthusiasts in two. In just over a year, we’ll see something we never thought we’d see again: an all-new BMW i3 (if we exclude the China-only i3 sedan). Only this time it’s not an idiosyncratic hatchback model with a carbon body, but a full-fledged sports sedan based on the Neue Klasse platform. And while BMW’s next-generation G50 3 Series and its range-topping M350 will carry the torch for the inline-six engine faithful, I can’t help but think the electric i3 M60 could be the one that defines where the brand goes next.
However, this is not a simple “EV good, ICE bad” debate. Both cars represent two sides of BMW’s soul – and choosing between them won’t be easy. For some people.
The argument for the i3 M60: speed, silence and intelligence
Let’s start with the new kid. The rumored i3 M60 (BMW has yet to confirm its M Performance EV) isn’t just another electric sedan with a curve on the hood – it’s the first of BMW’s Neue Klasse sedans, the same architecture that will underpin everything from the iX3 to the future M3 EV. This means that this is not a flexible platform; It is the BMW electrification developed from the ground up that brings numerous advantages.
Perfomance? Think at least 600 horsepower with dual engines. That’s significantly more than the 415 hp supposedly expected from the M350, and probably enough to make the i3 one of the fastest non-M cars BMW has ever built. Thanks to BMW’s new Gen6 cells, which also dramatically reduce charging times, range estimates are up to 900 km (559 miles) on the WLTP cycle – around 370 km (230 miles) of WLTP added in just ten minutes at 400 kW.
In short, it’s the kind of performance that not only makes the M350 better, but exceeds it.
But numbers only tell half the story. What really counts here is the Neue Klasse platform and the BMW supercomputer Heart of Joy – the system that combines the drive train, chassis and steering in a predictive control brain. After driving the iX3 prototype with this setup, I can tell you: it feels more natural, more connected, and more… BMW than any electric vehicle they’ve built before.
For the i3 sedan, the lighter weight, better balance and instant torque could mean it’s sharper and more responsive than the M350 – ironic considering the electric car will also be the heavier car.
Larger interior space
And then there is the practicality. The i3’s packaging advantage over CLAR-based models becomes apparent as soon as you step inside: flat floor, more space in the back and even a boot for good measure. It’s the easier everyday driver: no cold starts, no fuel stops, no guilty conscience sneaking through traffic. The i3 simply makes sense for short trips and city commutes.
Still, the silence that makes it so sophisticated might also make it… less alive. This is where the M350 strikes back.
The argument for the M350: emotions never die
The M350 could be the end of an era (although that’s still uncertain with regulators) – a fitting farewell for the internal combustion engine 3 Series. Under the hood is the B58, probably one of the best engines BMW has ever built. Gentle, powerful and reliable, it delivers around 415 hp and 580 Nm of torque, paired with BMW’s familiar ZF eight-speed automatic transmission. No plug, no waiting – just press start and get started.
And yes, it should still sound amazing. BMW’s decision to give it quad exhausts and M-inspired styling tells you exactly who this car is intended for. It’s for the person who values sound, feel and mechanical connection more than lap times or kilowatts. It will likely weigh less than the i3, making it more playful and nimble in corners. If the i3 promises technical precision, the M350 could deliver analogue joy.
Of course, this involves compromises. The M350 will use more fuel, incur more operating costs and perhaps in five years it will no longer be welcome in every city center. Inside it will probably feel tighter and less airy than the new Class i3. But there’s still something satisfying about firing up an inline-six and hearing it come to life – something that no electric vehicle, no matter how fast, can replace.
Two sides of BMW’s DNA
So what would I buy?
Honestly, probably the i3 M60. It’s the kind of car that represents everything BMW has learned over the last decade – precision engineering, technology that feels invisible and performance that borders on the absurd. It should be very fast, effortless to drive and ultimately an electric vehicle with its own unique design.
But the M350 appeals to a different part of me – the one that still thinks a BMW should make noise, shift gears and feel alive under load. It will probably be the more emotional car and for many people it will be the right choice for that reason alone.
Either way, BMW wins – because both prove that driving fun can take many forms.
