BMW officially revealed the specifications of the M340i xDrive before the car debuted at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Even though this is not an M3 model, this is a fantastic car and perhaps the best 3 Series that has hit the market so far. Keep reading to learn more about the new model.
Exterior
The front end is one of the first things to notice about any car and people are that thrilled with the solutions BMW has opted for. Namely, the front is too busy and the kidney grille comes with a strange patter that didn’t appeal to the eye of the spectators.
And indeed, the fans have every right to be mad. The front end of the car does look differently compared to the previous iterations. The German manufacturer will offer this vehicle in black color only but the choice of colors would affect the look of the front end too much.
The fans need to understand that this model needs to compete against the S4, the AMG C43 and the IS 350 F Sport which also come with questionable front ends. The best way to judge the design of this vehicle is to see it once it hits the market. And we will have to wait for that to happen.
Meanwhile, the 2020 BMW M340i xDrive will sit on good-looking 18-inch M light alloy wheels. In the back, blue calipers fit nicely with the black color whereas the bigger wheels are expected to be offered as well. Last but not least, a massive exhaust is something this model is famous for and it will sport two of them.
2020 BMW M340i xDrive Interior
The cabin of the M340i is quite sporty and the BMW combines standard sports eats with the upholstery which they usually integrate into the M lineup of cars. Logically, those who want to pay more money will get higher-quality materials such as leather with Alcantara. Some other details include the individual dark headliner, M steering wheel with metal shift paddles and special graphics on the instrument cluster display.
This vehicle is all about creating the sporty feel, but the luxurious features and cutting-edge technology aren’t lacking. This is a perfect vehicle for those who want a combination of the two.
Under the Hood
BMW is dedicated to building sports saloons despite the growth of interest in SUVs and crossover, which is a courageous move. The 2020 BMW M340i xDrive comes with an eight-speed automatic transmission which is the only option.
The transmission is connected to a 3.0-liter inline six that generates 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft of torque. This is quite a lot of power and the BMW is consequently faster than its largest rivals. It can reach 60 mph in 4.2 seconds whereas the Mercedes AMG C43 requires 4.4 seconds to develop the same speed and the Audi S4 is even slower with 4.6 seconds on the clock.
The xDrive system is not a surprise. It transfers up to 100% of power between the front and back axles and it is the rear-based configuration which means that the power will be transferred to the rear wheels in most cases.
Several driving modes exist such as Sport and Sport+ whereas the suspension has been finely tuned making a drive quite smooth. The new model is based on the G20 platform, meaning that its center of gravity is lowered and the rigidity dramatically increased.
| 2020 BMW M340i xDrive | |
| Engine And Transmission | |
| Engine type | inline-6 |
| Displacement | 3.0 L |
| Power/torque | 382 hp/369 lb-ft |
| Transmission | 8-Speed Automatic |
| Performance | |
| 0-60 mph | 4.2 sec. |
| Top speed | 155 mph |
| PRICE RANGE:$40,000 – $50,000 |
|
| Competitors:N/A | |
Pricing
The 2020 M340i xDrive will be a lot cheaper than the real M3. The starting price is expected to be in the range between $40,000 and $50,000 depending on which options BMW will offer. The new vehicle will hit the market next year!
