When this seventh instalment of the 3-Series arrived last year, it was available with four-cylinder options only.
Another note. Now that four-wheel drive has been added to the mix, it appears the M340i has lost its unique selling point in the company of the Mercedes-AMG C43 and Audi S4. Remember, we never got the old F30 with xDrive.
Its output on paper certainly makes an understandable motivation for the benefits of traction at all corners. Consider that the discontinued F80 M3 served up 317kW and 550Nm. This counterpart is not far off with its 285kW and 500Nm. You may surmise that the xDrive muzzle was a requirement to unequivocally cement the status of the forthcoming M3 as the boss. They were not going to allow the M340i to upstage its more pedigreed sister.
But the thing is, in regular conditions this medium-heat Bimmer will give the average driver most of the thrills associated with the “most powerful letter in the world”, with fewer impracticalities. Its acceleration capabilities, for starters, are nothing to scoff at.The 4.4-second sprint time to 100km/h is impressive. So is the near-instantaneous groundswell of shove from that marker to 120km/h, useful when trying to seize a gap on the freeway.
Try as you might, unsettling the M340i proves a difficult task. It is one of those cars that can be hustled along at a fair rate of knots without an inkling of nervousness. On the curvier passages of asphalt flirting with provincial borders, Sport Plus engaged, the dynamic composure of the sedan was rarely broken, save for instances where road scars kissed low-profile rubber.
After all, aside from the bigger engine, suspension tweaks and mild spattering of costume jewellery, this is the well-mannered, garden variety 3-Series you know. Except, it could easily double up as a pursuit car when such duties are required ...
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