BMW will soon be launching the M340i in India on March 10, 2021. Ahead of its launch, the carmaker has commenced official bookings for this performance-focused BMW 3 Series variant. The booking amount is pegged at INR 1 lakh and the car can be booked online at BMW Online Shop. BMW has also announced that the first 40 customers who book the car will enjoy a specially curated Driver Training at a popular racetrack in India. The BMW M340i will be the first 'M' car that will be locally assembled here in India.
The BMW M340i is a perfect balance between everyday utility and thrills of performance, as and when what suits your mood. The M340i may not be an out-an-out 'M' car, but it surely is no slouch. Under the hood, the BMW M340i is powered by a 3.0-litre straight-six petrol engine that produces 387hp of grunt and 500Nm of peak torque. The engine comes mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission with power being sent to all four wheels via BMW's xDrive all-wheel drive system.
Also Read : BMW Updates 3 Series Lineup For 2021 Model Year in India
This four-door sedan can sprint from 0-100 kph in a mere 4.4 seconds. Of course, being an M-spec car, it does get its share of M-performance upgrades. That includes a stiffer M Sport suspension, a quicker and direct variable-ratio steering rack, and improved M Sport brakes. You also get an M Performance Active Sound Exhaust System that shouts pure music when you come hard on the throttle. The xDrive all-wheel drive system is rear-biased, sending more torque to the rear wheels. Combined with an M Sport differential, you will find yourself popping out the tail more often than not.
Visually, the M340i looks largely similar to the standard 3-Series. However, it does get some visual enhancements as well. The most notable change is the new kidney grille with chrome bezels. The front bumper is a lot more muscular and aggressive, screaming its sporty demeanor. Compared to the regular 3 Series, the M340i sits lower by about 10 mm. At the rear, the M Sport exhaust comes with dual outlets. There are also a couple of 'M' badges on the exterior. Overall, the M340i may look like a sleeper but we like it that way.
On the inside, the M340i comes with sports seats and M-branded steering wheel. That aside, all bells and whistles from the standard 3-Series has been carried over to this M-spec model. On account of being locally assembled, the BMW M340i should have a competitive price tag, which we expect will be around the INR 65 lakh (ex-showroom) mark. It will take on the Mercedes-AMG C43 Coupe and the upcoming Audi S5 Sportback.
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