The closest thing to an M3 money can buy
BMW USA has announced the availability of the 2020 BMW M340i and its xDrive derivative, virtually the most powerful seventh-generation 3 Series that’s not an M3.
The M Performance-imbued 3 Series will take a bow at the upcoming Los Angeles Motor Show but BMW decided to spill the beans before the actual debut.
That’s how we know the 2020 BMW M340i will rely on an updated version of the B58 3-liter six-cylinder powerplant. It now makes 382 hp @ 5,000-6,500 rpm and 369 lb-ft @ 1,600-4,500 rpm, enough to dispatch the 0-60 mph sprint in 4.2 seconds.
Besides the bump in power, every BMW M340i packs as standard the M Sport limited-slip differential and a series of M Performance chassis tweaks.
Married to the engine is the eight-speed Sport Steptronic gearbox with Launch Control and steering wheel shift paddles.
BMW says overall body stiffness for the M340i went up by 25%, but some areas have seen 50% improvements. Body weight went down by 121 lb.
Optionally, customers can select the Adaptive M suspension which combines the standard M Sport setup with electronically controlled dampers. M Sport brakes come as standard gear, with four-piston calipers up front and single-piston ones at the rear.
The 2020 BMW M340i and M340i xDrive will sign their market debut in the summer of 2019.
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