With the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class, new Alfa Romeo Giulia, and the Audi A4, the competition is so much tougher for the new 3 Series. That being said, BMW is highlighting performance on this upcoming release. The headliners will be the BMW M340i and M340d.
Using the BMW’s new CLAR architecture, the 3 Series will be longer, lighter and stiffer, more dynamic and sportier than its predecessor. But the sportiest variants of them all will be the two M Performance models.
The BMW M340i will use a variant of the new B58 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 engine delivers around 360 hp and 370 lb-ft of torque. It will have an eight-speed automatic gearbox offering and will be rear-wheel drive as-standard, with xDrive likely as an option. No confirmation about a manual option has been given yet. It is still a bug possibility given the model positioning of the 3 Series.
The BMW M340d xDrive is the M340i’s evil twin. It will get a 3.0 liter turbocharged I6 diesel engine that is said to make around 320 hp and likely around 475 lb-ft of torque. It will also be paired with an eight-speed automatic and power all four wheels, via xDrive. With that sort of torque and all-wheel drive, the BMW M340d xDrive could be even faster than the M340i and could be the one to get.
If you’re not yet excited to see the upcoming 3 Series lineup, you should be!
Source: Autocar