BMW Australia prices eighth-generation 3 Series and first electric i3 from $83,900 ahead of Q1 2027 launch

Four-variant lineup priced for a first-quarter 2027 launch

BMW Australia has confirmed local pricing and initial specifications for the eighth-generation 'G50' 3 Series and the all-electric 'NA0' i3, with both sedans due to arrive together in the first quarter of 2027. As first reported by CarExpert, the launch range consists of four variants: the rear-wheel drive 320 petrol at $83,900 before on-road costs, the i3 40 xDrive at $96,900 plus ORCs, the i3 50 xDrive at $112,900 plus ORCs and the six-cylinder M350 xDrive at $128,900 plus on-roads. ⁵³¹⁶

GoAuto reports the two petrol grades use turbocharged engines with 48-volt mild-hybrid assistance, and that BMW is launching the combustion and electric sedans side by side under its 'Power of Choice' strategy. zeCar notes both i3 prices include GST and the luxury car tax but exclude on-road costs, and that this is the first time Australian buyers can choose between petrol and fully electric powertrains within the same 3 Series generation. ¹²

The pricing moves in opposite directions for the two powertrain types. GoAuto calculates the entry point has fallen by $12,400 against the outgoing 190kW 330i, while the 326kW M350 xDrive is $9,900 dearer than the previous M340i. Chasing Cars frames the same picture: petrol entry is dramatically cheaper, but the electric i3 grades cost more than the i4 Gran Coupe they indirectly replace. ¹⁶

Petrol pair: a lower-powered 320 and a much dearer six-cylinder flagship

CarExpert details the 320 as a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol mild hybrid sending 155kW/330Nm to the rear wheels via an eight-speed automatic, with a claimed 0-100km/h time of 7.4 seconds and a 240km/h top speed. GoAuto reports the 320 is $12,400 cheaper than the outgoing 190kW 330i, and Chasing Cars observes that with its lower 155kW/330Nm output it is not quite a direct replacement for that car. Chasing Cars also notes a '330' grade is missing from the Australian lineup for now even though it will be offered to US buyers. ⁵¹⁶

At the other end, the M350 xDrive pairs a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six with 48V mild-hybrid technology for 326kW/580Nm, cutting the claimed 0-100km/h sprint to 4.1 seconds with an electronically limited 250km/h top speed, per CarExpert. zeCar matches these performance figures and notes the M350's price is $16,000 above the i3 50 xDrive. ⁵²

On equipment, CarExpert lists the 320 with 18-inch M aerodynamic wheels, adaptive M suspension, the Panoramic Vision cockpit display, a 3D head-up display, heated and ventilated front seats, a panoramic sunroof and Driving Assistant Plus. GoAuto adds that a $3500 Comfort Package brings a heated steering wheel and rear seats, harman/kardon audio and CraftedClarity glass trim, while a $4200 M Sport Pro pack adds sport seats, red brake callipers and black exterior detailing. Chasing Cars separately reports full M Sport seats cost an extra $2000 on the M350. ⁵¹⁶

i3 electric sedans claim up to 912km WLTP

The two i3 grades differ mainly in power and battery. CarExpert's companion report states the i3 40 xDrive uses an 82.8kWh battery and dual motors for 275kW/520Nm, a claimed 5.4-second 0-100km/h time and BMW-quoted range of between 566 and 710km WLTP. The i3 50 xDrive lifts output to 345kW/645Nm with a 108.7kWh pack, reaching 100km/h in a claimed 4.7 seconds with up to 912km of range and a 200km/h top speed. ⁴⁶

Charging details vary between outlets. Chasing Cars says the 40 xDrive manages a 300kW DC peak with the 50 xDrive lifted to 400kW, while zeCar reports BMW quotes DC charging of up to 400kW for the i3 range overall but has not confirmed whether both variants reach that peak, and lists battery capacities as not confirmed for Australia. Both outlets agree on 22kW AC charging. ⁶²

zeCar reports both grades share the same standard equipment: adaptive M suspension, 19-inch M aerodynamic wheels, the M Sport package with dark blue metallic brakes, Iconic Glow exterior lighting, a panoramic sunroof, Panoramic Vision and 3D head-up displays, heated front and rear seats, a heated sports steering wheel and harman/kardon audio. Options include 20-inch and 21-inch wheels from $2,000 to $4,200, BMW Individual leather at $4,000 and the $4,200 M Sport Pro package, with several interior trims offered at no cost. ²⁴

Both i3 variants are all-wheel drive only at launch; GoAuto notes a rear-drive i3 is conspicuously absent for now, and zeCar confirms neither Australian-spec battery capacity figure has been formally listed in BMW's local release, leaving the 82.8kWh and 108.7kWh figures as reported by Chasing Cars rather than manufacturer-confirmed Australian specifications. ¹²⁶

Tax positioning and market context

GoAuto provides the context behind the i3's pricing. BMW had deliberately repositioned the outgoing i4 beneath the luxury car tax threshold so its base grade qualified for the federal Fringe Benefits Tax exemption, which helped i4 sales jump from 353 units in 2023 to 2062 in 2024. At launch the i3 will not repeat that formula, as the 2026-27 LCT threshold remains $91,661 and both i3 grades sit above it. Chasing Cars likewise notes neither i3 specification is eligible, on paper, for the full FBT waiver, which is set to change on 1 April 2027. ¹⁶

The relaunch comes as the premium medium sedan segment contracts. GoAuto reports outgoing 'G20' 3 Series sales fell from 3147 in 2023 to 2472 in 2024 and 1877 in 2025, with Mercedes-Benz C-Class and Audi A5 volumes also declining. Even so, BMW has delivered 1051 3 Series and 603 i4 units to the end of August 2026, and zeCar notes BMW has recorded more than 185,000 3 Series deliveries in Australia since 1991, more than 30 per cent of the brand's local sales in that period. ¹²

What comes next in the range

The four launch grades will not be the end of the story. GoAuto reports additional trim grades will come online later, including a confirmed i3 M60 xDrive flagship and an expected rear-drive i3 30, while the M3 performance flagship and a new-generation 3 Series Touring are also set to be revealed. Chasing Cars adds that reporting points to a rear-drive i3 30 with roughly 200kW/400Nm, and that the M60 xDrive is expected next year with about 470kW, positioning it as the electric foil to the petrol M350. ¹⁶

For overseas comparison, US reporting carried via headtopics states the i3 50 xDrive will start at $US61,500 plus a $US1,350 destination fee in America, with an EPA-estimated range approaching 468 miles, and that the i3 M60 xDrive arrives there sometime in 2027 at an unspecified price. zeCar separately notes European-market cars shown in BMW imagery may differ from Australian specification. ⁷²