Just before its official unveiling at the L.A. Auto Show, BMW released the first specifications about the best G20 3 Series revealed so far - the M340i xDrive. It is not an M3, but it is really, really close to being one. Actually, the M340i is the most powerful 3 Series ever revealed. Save for previous two generations of the M3.

Taking the G20 3 Series architecture to a level unachieved by any BMW 340i of before, the 2020 BMW M340i xDrive comes with a standard, electronically controlled, mechanical limited slip differential, a 382 horsepower engine, and specially tuned eight-speed transmission with Launch Control.

Update 12/3/2018: We've updated this review with new images taken at the 2018 Los Angeles Auto Show. Check them out in the gallery below!

2020 BMW M340i xDrive

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2020 BMW M340i xDrive
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 382 @ 6500
  • Torque: 369 @ 4500
  • Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array

BMW M340i Exterior

Zooming over some comments about the new M340i on the Internet, I found out that people aren’t really fond of its front end. The biggest concern seems to be the slightly too busy central part of the front end. Also, bumper intrusions in the headlights took the M340i styling closer to showbusiness and not just business. Although BMW revealed a black painted car only, the front end does project a somewhat different aura compared with the cars that came before. However, you have to understand that this one competes with the S4, the AMG C43, and even the IS 350 F Sport. Some of them are equally flamboyant in the front.

Now, I have to tell you that we need to see the car live before making any conclusions about its looks. Personally, I don’t mind a front end like this at all. I expect the M340i to be a low machine that hugs the road, so the front end won't be as prevailing as in these pics.

Glimpse behind them to see awesome blue calipers. I believe even bigger wheels are available via the M Performance Parts catalog. This thing can support 19-inch wheels for sure.

In the rear, you can recognize the M340i thanks to massive exhausts. Two of them. Four will be on the proper M3.

BMW M340i - exterior dimensions

Length inches

185.7

Width inches

71.9

Height inches

56.8

Width including mirrors inches

81.4

Wheelbase inches

112.2

Ground clearance inches

5.4

Turning radius feet

18.7

Track, front inches

62.2

Rear, track inches

61.8


BMW M340i Interior

If you remember all the reviews that popped up on the web after the reveal of the new 3 Series in Paris last month, you may remember that everyone praised its cabin and interior design. Well, I was one of those people, and this M340i went one step above it. Of course, pay a bit more, and you’ll get cool leather upholstery along with Alcantara. Other M340i specific touches include:

-* BMW Individual dark headliner

-* M steering wheel with metal shift paddles

-* Aluminum details

-* Special graphics on the instrument cluster display

Obviously, a focus on sport prevails in the cabin and gives the M340i xDrive far more character and mystery. Don’t think for a second that the M340i lacks anything in terms of onboard tech or luxury. It does not.

BMW M340i - interior dimensions

Shoulder width front inches

56.0

Shoulder room rear inches

54.6

Legroom front inches

42.0

Legroom rear inches

35.2

Headroom front inches

38.7

Headroom rear inches

37.6

Trunk volume (SAE) ft³

17.0


BMW M340i Drivetrain and Performance

One can really appreciate BMW's dedication to building sports saloons. The M340i seems to be a testament to all of the ideology behind the Ultimate Driving Machine. Yes, the eight-speed transmission is the only one available. No manual here, but then again, even if BMW offered one, you would not be buying it. Almost at all.

You know, for when you simply need to accelerate to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. That’s quicker than the AMG C43 (4.4 seconds), the Audi S4 (4.6 seconds), and much quicker compared to the underwhelming IS 350 F Sport (5.6 seconds).

Obviously, this is a sports car, and BMW refers to it as such. This means that the 3.0-liter, inline six develops 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. This is a huge power. Actually, this is the most powerful non-M 3 series ever. Furthermore, this is the most powerful BMW car with a six-cylinder engine. Again, save for almighty Ms, of course.

The xDrive system is a small wonder in itself. It is fully capable of transferring up to 100 percent of power between the front and back axles. However, it is a rear-biased system which means that the majority of the power will go to the back in most conditions.

Select Sport or Sport+ driving mode and the power will remain at the back for as long as possible. While talking about the back wheels, BMW integrated an M Sport differential for much more precise torque distribution. The limited slip diff, with its smart torque distribution, basically improves grip. Or, actually, it makes the most of the available grip. This is, as you can witness, a car with the technological proves of pure runners.

Its suspension has been finely tuned as well. After all, something has to help tame that much power. For that purpose, M Performance provided a variable steering rack, adjustable dampers, and new brakes.

Considering that the G20 platform provides a lower center of gravity, 50:50 weight balance, dramatically increased rigidity, and now we have all these cool M Performance parts, I can only imagine that the 2020 BMW M340i could compete with the last-gen M3. In fact, only days ago BMW M produced the last BMW M3 F80. It is the Frozen Dark Grey M3, now in ownership of German entrepreneur Bjorn Schmidt.

BMW M340i - drivetrain specifications

Engine type

B58

Cylinders

6

Valves per cylinder

4

Stroke mm

94.6

Bore mm

82

Displacement cm³

2,998

Compression rate :1

11.0

Engine power

382 HP @ 5,000 – 6,500 RPM

Engine torque

369 LB-FT @ 1,600 – 4,500 RPM

Transmission type

8HP Sport automatic

0-60 mph seconds

4.2

Top speed (electronically limited)

155 mph


Final Thoughts

We are still at least one year off from the introduction of the new BMW M3. However, I feel that the latest G20 2020 M340i xDrive can be an astonishing alternative. It will be, by all accounts, dramatically cheaper compared with the real M3. I guess the BMW M340i's price tag will be between $40 and $50k (depending on the options). The sports sedan will be available for purchase next year, but you will be able to see it and enjoy it a bit at this month’s LA Auto Show. Do not miss it.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 3 Series.

Read everything we know in our speculative review of the 2020 BMW M3.

Read our full review on the 2017 BMW 3 Series.