A baby M3? You bet, as BMW shows the M340i xDrive sedan at the Los Angeles Auto Show with performance to worry current M3 owners…… Isukile!!
The Bavarians are targeting the Audi S4 and Mercedes AMG C43, with the M340i xDrive performance figures hinting at what will definitely be a very tense stand-off……. but we will get to that in a bit.
Design specific highlights include a large cooling air intakes in the front apron, mesh-design BMW kidney grille and body-coloured rear spoiler, plus a Cerium Grey metallic finish for the exterior mirror caps, air intake bars, the fronts of the BMW kidney grille slats, the grille surround, the exhaust tailpipes and the model badge, all of which add a distinctive look.
Not much has gone to the interior to differentiate from the standard model besides the sport steering wheel, sports seats with M-specific stitching and aluminum front door sills with M340i lettering. Infotainment features that will also be available across the new model range includes a wide choice of driver assistance systems and the most recent connectivity innovations that includes BMW’s latest Live Cockpit system amongst others.
Underneath the sculpted bonnet sits a newly developed 275kW/500Nm 3.0litre turbocharged straight-six powertrain mated to an 8-speed Steptronic Sport transmission that channels enthusiasm through the maker’s intelligent all-wheel drive system with a rear-biased set-up, allowing the M340i to complete the 0-100km/h sprint in a claimed 4.4sec, thats enough to worry current M3/M4 drivers in the dry and wipe them clean in the wet.
For a potent dose of dynamic performance, the BMW M340i comes standard with a lowered ride height (10mm over the outgoing F30 BMW 340i model), an M Sport suspension with lift-related dampers, M Sport differential (with electronically controlled locking function for the rear differential), M Sport brakes and a sonorous M Sport exhaust system. Optional features include Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers.
The new BMW M340i is due to hit centre stage at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show. This model is confirmed for Mzansi with the arrival date set for September 2019. Pricing and local specifications will be made available closer to launch.