M Performance for Next-Gen BMW 3/4 Series

The BMW M235i was crowd favorite before the release of the M2. It was actually the first in the family of M Performance variants of BMW’s standard cars that really gave a new sense of excitement for BMW enthusiasts. Now, rumors say that BMW is likely to have M Performance models for the next-generation 3 Series and 4 Series as well.

These M Performance cars are somewhere in the middle. They are not a full-on M car but it had many M badges and features. It has enough of the M Division embedded into them to make them unique and special.

For the upcoming G20 generation BMW 3 Series, and the following 4 Series, BMW will be introducing M Performance variants to become the top-end models in each lineup. So instead of the 340i and 440i, they will be the M340i and M440i.

Some may smirk at this move by BMW but it is actually very smart because it makes the top-end model a sportier, more high-performance variant without customers having to spend the extra money to get the full-on M3 or M4. It is also similar to the Audi’s S4 and S5 models and Mercedes-AMG’s new C43 models. BMW then gets a higher performance pedigree.

The BMW M240i is powered by the new B58 turbocharged 3.0 liter I6 engine at the moment. It is one of the best engines on the market today and throughout the BMW history. That also means it has lots of potential for the future enhancements when it is time for the M340i and M440i models to be released.

If BMW’s M Performance treatment to the 2 Series can be applied to the 3 and 4 Series, then this is very exciting!