This is the most powerful non M 3 Series.
BMW presented the all-new 3 Series last month in Paris. It provided preliminary technical specifications about the hotter M340i/M340i xDrive but did not show the car in the City of Lights. The Los Angeles Auto Show will be the best place to see the non-M version.
BMW announced that it will be available in L.A. with the spicy 3er flavors. BMW also released some new photos of the sports sedan, which will arrive in Europe next spring. The U.S. will need to wait until the summer. You’ll get a turbocharged 3.0-liter Inline-Six engine that produces 382 horsepower and 369 pounds-feet (500 Newton meters) of torque, regardless of whether you choose the tail-happy or all-paw version. This makes it the most powerful non M 3 Series engine ever made.
The xDrive-equipped M340i takes 4.4 seconds to reach 0-62 mph (0-100 kph), which is half a second faster than its predecessor. The eight-speed Sport Steptronic gearbox with launch control makes it possible to achieve the fastest acceleration. The new 3er is lighter than its predecessor (by up to 121 pounds/55 kilograms), which obviously has a positive impact on performance.
The M340i is a great choice for those who don’t want to wait for the M3, but aren’t willing to spend the premium. The M340i is the most popular 3 Series, and it’s not an M3. It has a 50/50 weight distribution, M Sport limited slip differential, a low center-of-gravity, and a stiffer body. You will be able to smile behind the wheel.
We haven’t been given any details about the price, but BMW told us that it will likely place a price tag for the M340i xDrive and M340i on November 28th in Los Angeles. For all the details, you can check out the press release.