ACTION REPLAY
The Indianmade BMW M340i xDrive
The desire for a performance sedan need not bleed you dry: This would be an overelaborate tag line for the BMW M340i xDrive, but isn’t. It sits in between the modest 3 Series and the agile M3. With BMW bringing the prospect of Indian-made models to India, this also adds muscle to the government’s ‘Made In India’ agenda, making the M340i the fastest accelerating car to be made in an Indian factory. Another exciting prospect is the engrossing fireside chat between BMW loyalists who both, revere the 3 Series as well as poke holes in it. The M340i presents a unique proposition with its tech, performance, and untamed sporty personality.
Own the Swagger
The typical kidney-grille leads the front façade with LED headlamps and laser beams flanking it on either side. It borrows its beautiful lines from the 3 Series and sports attractive-looking front intakes. The rear shows off twin exhausts and a slight elevation on the boot that looks like a pretentious spoiler. The 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy wheels add ferocity to the ensemble. Step inside and you will be impressed by how it balances the everyday family sedan-ness and the sportiness to a T. The seats are functionally ergonomic and comfortable for the driver and the passengers. You get a head-up display, a right-heavy dash with a left side that’s purposefully vacant, a large 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, and a 10.3-inch display with Apple and Android connectivity.
What really adds the grit to the grace is the 6-cylinder B58 turbo-petrol engine that produces 387 horsepower at 5,800 rpm. The twin-scroll turbocharged engine makes the M340i feisty and agile enough to be recognised as a minor M model. It goes from 0 to 100kmph in 4.4 seconds. Driving the M340i has a lot to offer with a choice of the conservative Eco Pro mode, the more frequently usable Comfort mode, and the charismatic Sport mode to choose from. The M Sport suspension improves the handling and balance of the drive but doesn’t do so well at higher speeds on bumpier roads. However, on smoother stretches, you can slide like butter on a hot pan. The BMW M340i xDrive is a great car to own, for every purpose. It quenches the needs of the performance-seeker and the speedbump-smashers alike. The all-wheel drive is an asset you could possess no matter what kind of a driver you are. And if you have always hoped for a sobered-down M3 with its street creed intact, then this one’s a keeper.