Apparently, the BMW official website
contains a hidden Configurator entry for the still-unannounced M340d
sedan/saloon and estate/wagon. The cars look the same as their M3 peers and share
the drivetrain specs with the X3 M40d and X4 M40d. The power produced by the
turbocharged diesel unit stays unchanged at 340 hp, while the torque
rises to 700 Nm from 680 Nm.
Rumors last fall did mention an upcoming
M340d model, but sources claimed that only the estate/wagon would be made
available in this spec and not the sedan/saloon. As it now turns out, the
latter is also underway. Unlike its gasoline-powered M340i counterpart shown in
the video here, the diesel-chugging M340d does not have the RWD version, only
leaving AWD in the list.
The sedan specs mention acceleration from
zero to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds, and the estate lags a little behind
with 4.8 seconds. The top speed is capped at the usual 250 km/h for
both versions. Fuel consumption lies in the 5.3 – 5.8 liters per 100 km range,
which translates into 48 – 53 MPG in Great Britain and 40 – 44 MPG in the USA.
Both cars support Coasting Mode: you can
briefly disengage the diesel engine when going smoothly in a straight line at
160 km/h or below. The BMW M340d should celebrate its official
premiere soon.
