The arrival of BMW 3 Series range facelifted in Malaysia in January of this year brought the announcement that the M340i xDrive and long-wheelbase 330Li are due to hit this market in March, and here they are – we’re taking a look at the 3.0-litre performance variant here.
This time, the facelifted 3-Series performance variant is sold in two forms – the M340i xDrive at RM391,800and the M340i xDrive M Sport Pro at RM396,800, the latter being an online exclusive that commands a pre-booking fee of RM3,000. Prices are on the road without insurance, and with a five-year unlimited-mileage warranty and free scheduled maintenance.
Also included in the purchase price of each are BMW Roadside Assistance and Accident Helpline, BMW Group Loyalty Plus Mobile App, BMW Privileges Card and BMW Service Online.
The heart of the M340i xDrive is its 3.0-litre turbocharged petrol inline-six engine that produces 387hp and 500Nm of torque, sending drive to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission, enabling acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h. race to be done in 4.4 seconds while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
The powertrain is assisted by a 48-volt mild-hybrid system, where a starter-generator provides an additional 11 PS, assists in the recovery of braking energy and powers the car’s 12-volt electrical system. The performance-oriented hardware of the M340i xDrive includes the M Sport Differential, Adaptive M Suspension as well as Variable Sport Steering.
The standard exterior kit for the M340i xDrive includes adaptive LED headlights with high beam assist, M exterior mirrors, 19-inch two-tone M 91 M Double-Spoke Style alloy wheels, which house M Sport brakes with blue calipers . M Aerodynamics and M High-Gloss Shadowline trim packages complete the exterior visual signature of the M340i xDrive.
For a premium of RM5,000, upgrading to the M Sport Pro brings an appearance package which includes 19-inch M-style 892 Double-Spoke wheels in two-tone jet black, M Shadowline lights, M brake calipers Sport in high-gloss red, high-gloss M Shadow Line with extended content package including frame and grille slats in high-gloss black and M rear spoiler in sapphire black.
Inside, driver instrumentation is via a 12.3-inch information display, joining a 14.9-inch touchscreen control display for infotainment. The BMW Live Cockpit Professional setup includes a head-up display, running on the latest version of the BMW 8 operating system.
The M340i xDrive also includes Comfort Access, Remote Software Update and BMW ID, Connected Package Professional (Remote Services and smartphone integration for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto), Intelligent Emergency Call , teleservices and ConnectedDrive services.
Sports seats are specified for the driver and front passenger, the former benefiting from a memory function with electrical adjustment. The M steering wheel is covered in hand-stitched Walknappa leather and is combined with the anthracite and anthracite rhombic aluminum headliner as part of its M interior trim package.
The interior upholstery of the M340i xDrive comes in either Black or Mocha Vernasca leather, while the M Sport Pro specification replaces the Mocha color choice with Tacora Red.
Also added here as standard are the storage pack, automatic climate control, mood lighting, automatic anti-dazzle interior mirror and a power glass roof. M340i xDrive audio is courtesy of a Harman Kardon surround sound system; available as an option is the M Sport Pro pack which adds the M colorway for the seat belts.
The driver assistance systems of the M340i xDrive include the parking assistant (parking assistant, park distance control, side parking assistant, reversing assistance camera) and the driving assistant (warning Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning with Brakes, Rear Crossing Warning with Brakes, Rear Crossing Traffic Warning, Rear Collision Warning, Speed Limit Info, Manual Speed Limit Assist and Cruise Control speed with braking.
The exterior colors of the facelifted G20 BMW M340i xDrive are Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Melbourne Red, M Portimao Blue, M Brooklyn Gray and Skyscraper Grey; the paint selection for the M Sport Pro specification shares the range except with the omission of Melbourne Red and Skyscraper Gray from the original palette.
GALLERY: G20 BMW M340i xDrive LCI, UK Market
