BMW celebrates half a century of an icon.
The BMW 3 Series is not just any luxury car, it is a model that has achieved legendary status and one of the key trailblazers that helped write the history of the BMW we know and love as enthusiasts today. Its performance-oriented variants were characterized by precision and technology that set standards in the industry, and even the standard 3 Series has stood out for generations as a luxurious, agile luxury car that combines comfort and benchmark technology with spirited character and driving pleasure.
It was 50 years ago when the BMW 3 Series was first introduced into the automotive lexicon in July 1975 at the Olympic Stadium in Munich. At that moment, a new era began for BMW, marked by an incredibly successful sports sedan that would help establish BMW worldwide as a manufacturer to beat when it came to its self-proclaimed “ultimate driving machine.”
To mark this milestone, BMW has introduced a new special edition of the 3 Series for the 2026 model year: the BMW M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition 2026. This new special edition not only commemorates the 50th anniversary of one of BMW’s most legendary and impressive model series, but also combines a unique combination of features and surfaces that make the special edition commemorative car remarkable and unforgettable.
With a single trim profile and an MSRP of $75,200 plus $1,175 for shipping and handling, the new 2026 BMW M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition is a unique statement of automotive history, with unique finishes that combine historic colors with advanced Merino leather upholstery, a first for the 3 Series in the U.S. market, and either red or blue brake calipers. Each color is inspired by one of the first five generations of the 3 Series: Ruby Red for the first E21 generation, Boston Green for the second, the E30, Avus Blue for the E36, the third generation, Carbon Black for the fourth, the E46, and Sparkling Graphite for the E90, the fifth.
An M Performance Exhuast system underlines the sporty character of the special edition, and features such as the BMW curved display with head-up display and a Harman Kardon surround sound system celebrate how far the model’s technology has advanced. Edition-specific badges and door sills underline the exclusivity of the special edition, and the new BMW M340i xDrive 50 Years Edition 2026 is undoubtedly a unique vehicle that celebrates the legacy of a model that is definitely worth the fanfare.
Image source: BMW
