- A prototype of BMW‘s next-generation 3-Series was caught testing in Germany.
- The ICE-powered sedan adopts the Neue Klasse design, looking sportier than before.
- The different dash-to-axle ratio is what sets it apart from the fully electric BMW i3.
BMW has officially kicked off testing its next generation of compact-luxury sedan, which will be offered in both pure electric and internal combustion engines under the i3 and 3-Series nameplates respectively. Sound familiar? That’s because it mirrors the approach BMW has taken with the larger i5 and 5-Series duo. After capturing the first prototype of the i3, our spy photographers have now spotted the internal combustion 3-Series sedan roaming the streets of Munich, Germany.
More: BMW i3 Neue Klasse Electric Sedan Spied For The First Time
The ICE prototype adopts many of the same Neue Klasse design cues as its electric sibling but takes a slightly different stance—literally. The hood is a touch longer, the dash-to-axle ratio is more pronounced, and the windshield stands a bit more upright, making it look less like an EV-inspired rethink and more like a heavily reworked version of the current G20-generation BMW 3 Series.
However, as this is an early prototype, it’s possible that not all the near-production panels are in place just yet—so we’ll have to wait and see how it evolves.
A Shark Nose With Bite
BMW’s signature shark-nose styling makes a triumphant return here, sharpening the sedan’s sporty stance. The effect is further bolstered by a deeper, more aggressive front bumper and subtly flared fenders that add muscle without overindulging. Flush door handles bring the styling in line with BMW’s latest clean-surfaced aesthetic, while the greenhouse and Hofmeister kink stick to tradition—because some things are sacred, after all.
This particular prototype flexes its performance aspirations with sporty alloy wheels, larger brakes, and quad tailpipes that all but scream “M Performance” or something close to it. However, if you ignore the exhaust, the rear-end design—complete with provisional high-mounted LED taillights—is eerily similar to the electric i3, suggesting BMW is doing its best to keep design differentiation to a minimum.
Different Roads, Different Platforms
Unlike the i5/5-Series and i7/7-Series, where BMW paired EVs and ICE models on the same platform, the i3 and 3-Series are believed to head down different paths. The all-electric i3 sedan will ride on the Neue Klasse architecture, shared with the upcoming iX3 SUV, while the combustion-powered 3-Series will reportedly stick to the CLAR platform, which also underpins the forthcoming G45 X3. This would explain the differences in proportions and styling details we see in the i3 and ICE 3-Series prototypes here.
More: 2025 BMW 3-Series Gets More Power And Updated Looks
Judging by what we’ve seen with the mechanically related X3, expect the next-gen 3-Series to feature mild-hybrid versions of BMW’s stalwart engines: a 2.0-liter four-cylinder and a 3.0-liter inline-six, all with improved horsepower and fuel economy figures.
A Mild-Hybrid M3 Is In The Cards
Interestingly, even the mighty M3 isn’t immune to electrification. However, as BMW officials told us in a recent trip, the next M3 will forego the heavy plug-in hybrid setup of the M5 and instead adopt a lighter mild-hybrid system. Meanwhile, for those tracking BMW’s EV ambitions, an all-electric quad-motor equivalent of the M3 is reportedly in development, promising tire-melting lunacy for the brave few.
The current G20-generation BMW 3-Series first graced the stage in 2018, with minor facelifts arriving in 2022 and 2024. If BMW sticks to its usual timeline, this heavily updated version—complete with “new generation” branding and styling, will likely hit the streets in 2026, alongside its fully electric Neue Klasse sibling, the i3 sedan.
