Debunked: Next BMW 3 Series to exclude six-cylinder engines

Recently, you might have heard about the news stating that six-cylinder engines will no longer be included in the next iteration of the 3 Series. Fortunately for all BMW fans and owners, it was an incorrect report. The publication now claims that the Euro 7 emission regulations are to blame. So, the fact remains: facelifted 3 Series will retain the BMW M340i and M340d models. According to some legit sources, the M340i and M340d will be available in July 2022. They also added that these models are already in the FEP (Final Evaluation Phase) as of the moment.

The Bavarians will keep the M340i and M340d available in sedan and touring variants. The sedan variants of the 3 Series Facelift will continue rolling off until October 2025. As for the touring models, BMW will end its production in June 2026. Currently, there are no solid facts yet on what the future 3 Series holds besides the engines. But we also know that the next 3 Series and X3 SAV will be the first models produced on the Neue Klasse platform (NK), which is focused on electric vehicles.

According to some reports, Frank Weber, BMW Chief of Development, said last week that Neue Klasse is not like BMW i3. And stated their plans of including their biggest segments, starting with 3 Series and X3. “But what you will notice is that we can’t take all of our volumes immediately onto the new platform. Neue Klasse is about transforming BMW and the core of BMW onto this new architecture.”, said Weber.

Among others, two of the brand’s most thrilling variations are the G20 M340i and M340d. Both combustion engines provide incredible and refined performance. The B58 turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine produces a power output of 374 HP and 500 NM (369 lb-ft) of torque. Meanwhile, the European version of the B58 engine gets 8 HP less than the North American B58 engine. This is because of the mandatory Otto particulate filter. Still, the vehicle accelerates 0 – 62 mph (0 – 100 km/h) in just 4.5 seconds.

The B57 6-cylinder diesel engine, which integrates a 48-volt integrated starter-generator, will power the BMW M340d. It can produce 340 PS (335 hp) at peak and achieved at 4,400 rpm. This figure falls short against the M340i but gets back when it comes to its torque characteristics. With that, the M340d boasts incredible acceleration rates and extremely quick laps. The combination of the standard xDrive chassis and sport mode from the 8-speed Steptronic transmission brings the unit to sprint 0-100 km/h in 4.8 seconds.

So, we may rest and appreciate the 6-cylinder engines for now as BMW prepares to shift with electrics.