Typical kidney grille with shark tooth shaped slats, L-shapes DRLs in each of the four headlamps, a new bumper and silver accented ORVMs distinguish the new BMW M340i xDrive from the run of the mill 3 series cars. The car is endowed with a new apron, side skirts and rear end. The boot has a specific M spoiler to improve air flow across the car as well as improve the flow of cooling air across the engine and brakes. The rear end is distinguished by twin trapezoidal exhaust and the roar and pops emanating from these exhaust as the car is put through its paces. BMW has provided the car with 18″ light alloy wheels as standard while 19″ wheels are an option.

Inside, the car has the typical BMW driver focussed layout. This includes sports seats for the driver and the co-driver covered in swathes of Alcantara and Sensatec with contrast quilting in blue. The space in front of the driver is occupied by a M Steering wheel with multifunction buttons, paddles for shifting gears, BMW Individual headliner in Anthracite, M pedals, M-specific floor mats and interior trim strips in Aluminium Tetragon with accent strips in Pearl-effect Chrome. ‘M340i’ lettering appears in the digital instrument cluster and also adorns the front door sill plates. The car has been provided with a three zone climate control for the driver, co-driver and rear passengers. Park Distance Control with sensors at the front and rear, “BMW Live Cockpit Plus” complete with navigation system and an 8.8-inch Control Display, and the “Connected Package Plus” including Real Time Traffic Information, Remote Services, Concierge Services and Apple CarPlay complete the rest of the package.

The BMW M340i xDrive is powered by a 2,998 cc inline 6 cylinder petrol engine with M twin turbo chargers. The engine has high precision direct gasoline injection for better performance and lower emissions. The opening and closing of the intake and exhaust valves is controlled by VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. It has a electronically controlled waste gate and catalysts in the exhaust system which help the car meet the Euro 6 emission norms. This engine produces 374 HP between 5,500 and 6,500 rpm and a maximum torque of 500 N-m between 1,850 to 5,000 rpm.

The power and torque are transmitted to the four wheels through an eight speed steptronic transmission. The gear ratio spacing has been attuned to the engine’s performance characteristics in order to lends itself to pulsating bursts of speed as also enhancing both driving comfort and efficiency. The intelligent all-wheel-drive system allows fully variable distribution of drive power between the front and rear wheels using an electronically controlled multi-plate clutch in the transfer case. BMW xDrive works in tandem with the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system and reacts to changes in the driving situation with great precision in real time, thus maximising traction, agility and handling stability in all weather and road surface conditions. To give the feel of a BMW, the system is biased as a rear wheel drive system and the feel is enhanced when the car is switched to SPORT or SPORT+ mode.

The BMW M340i xDrive is equipped with the M Sport differential which has an electronically controlled, fully variable locking function in the rear differential. This brings about an appreciable improvement in traction and cornering prowess and also boosts directional stability and agility. The locking effect is generated by an electric motor which the equalisation of speed between the inside and outside rear wheel while cornering. This locking allows the driver to power out of bends with extraordinary dynamic verve. The M Sport differential is also governed by the DSC system, and improves traction and power transmission when the cars is driven over surfaces with differing levels of grip for the left and right rear wheels. The control is achieved by preventing a wheel from spinning when it is struggling for grip.

The dynamics of the BMW M340i xDrive is further supported by double-joint spring-strut axle in lightweight aluminium-steel construction with M specific elastokinematics, hydraulically damped torque strut bearings at the front and five-link axle in lightweight aluminium-steel construction with M specific elastokinematics at the rears. This package of engine, suspension and transmission is capable of pushing the 4,713 mm long, 1,827 mm wide and 1,440 mm high cars weighing 1,745 Kg car from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.4 seconds. If you keep the pedal to metal, the speedo will go on till a top speed of 250 km/h. To stop this power rocket BMW has installed four piston fixed caliper disc brakes measuring 348 mm at the front and single floating caliper disc brake measuring 345 mm at the rear.

The BMW M340i xDrive is available as a sedan and a touring car. Only 340 of each car will be available as a limited edition.

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