A product that seamlessly bridges the gap between past glory days and the brand’s future-focused plans, in its 45th year of production the 3 Series remains a pinnacle model for BMW. Contributor Ian McLaren has been behind the wheel of the updated seventh-generation M340i in Palm Springs, USA.
In any competition or league, regardless of how large the pool of fellow contestants is or, indeed, viewership numbers are, the aim of placing on the top spot once all points are tallied remains tangible. Once considered the premier league when it comes to premium-focused market success, despite increasing pressure on sales from both SUVs and future-focused all-electric derivatives, for the time being the mid-sized executive sedan segment remains a significant showcase for the talents of those that still compete in this space.
ROAD TEST: BMW M340i xDrive Sport Steptronic
Despite its platform-sharing, South Africa-built X3 SUV proving to be a veritable thorn in the side of the 3 Series when it comes to monthly global sales, BMW’s “The 3” portfolio still accounts for around 14% of its German maker’s annual trading.
The timely mid-cycle update of the 3 Series range (including the Touring) introduces subtle exterior styling tweaks to include new, slimmer head- and tail lamp designs and an evolution of the brand’s more traditional-looking kidney grille execution. As is the trend, a broad selection of alloy wheel designs begins at 18-inch in size. Customers of even the entry-level 318i derivative have an option to upgrade the car’s sense of presence via an M Sport Package.
The significant news when it comes to the 3 Series update comes in the sculpted form of the brand’s newest curved infotainment screen and accompanying digital instrumentation. Running BMW’s latest (8th generation) operating system and including more intuitive voice-activation functionality, together with the adoption of a neater-looking, fingertip-operating transmission lever sited within the centre console, the 3’s cabin feels immediately airier and more contemporary compared with the interior layout of the outgoing model.
The updated BMW 3 Series is available in South Africa through five derivatives, including 318i, 320i, 320d and 330i M Sport. Until the pinnacle M3 versions receive their own mid-cycle enhancements, the range it topped by the ever-impressive M340i.
Fitted as standard with both the brand’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system and an M Sport package, despite the 285 kW/500 N.m outputs from this model’s turbocharged inline six-cylinder motor remaining unchanged, the brand claims to have extracted fractionally more pace off the line from this “baby M” model. The car will now sprint from 0-100 km/h in a claimed 4,3-seconds! With a legacy of playing understudy to the full-blown M3 products of each era, for a long time the so-called smart money when it comes to a more convincing blend of everyday usability with “adequate” pace and inherent performance has been on the derivative offered one peg below each respective M car. The updated M340i xDrive represents a perfect illustration of this trend. In fact, I would go so far as to suggest that the owner of modern M340i would be faster – and more comfortable – around a favourite stretch of twisty road than a driver with a similar level of experience, behind the wheel of an altogether more focused M3.
BMW M340i xDrive Fast Facts
Engine: 3,0-litre, inline six-cylinder, twin-turbocharged
Price: R1 341 707
Power: 285 kW @ 5 500 – 6 500 r/min
Torque: 500 N.m @ 1 800 – 5 000 r/min
0-100 km/h: 4,3 seconds
Top speed: 250 km/h (limited)
Fuel consumption: 8,0 L/100 km
Emissions: 182 g/km
