Latest news with #M340i
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
These Cars Weren't BMWs, But They Still Had BMW's Inline-6
The mighty inline-6 (also known as a straight-six or I6) was once a common sight, powering any number of models from around the world. In the last few decades, however, the V6 has more or less replaced it, since it takes up less space. For that matter, turbocharged engines with fewer cylinders altogether really seem to be the direction the industry is moving in. In the long run, with the electrification of the industry, there may not be that many engines at all soon enough. But BMW never lost faith. A believer in the inline-6 since the 1930s, the Bavarian juggernaut still makes the layout today. The current B58 model, a turbocharged inline-6, is a remarkably versatile piece of machinery, powering everything from the performance-minded M340i hot sedan to the comfort-oriented X7 SUV. BMW inline-6s have a fantastic blend of fuel efficiency, reliability, and good old-fashioned horsepower. They're so good that, over the years, a number of other makes have chosen to use it in their models. From Japanese superstars to small Italian badges you've never heard of, from track hounds to tough off-roaders, here are cars that had a BMW I6 engine without the BMW badge on the hood. Read more: These V6 Engines Put The LS1 V8 To Shame For 20 years, the Toyota Supra was a halo car -- one of those universally beloved sports cars that somehow managed to be both fast and affordable. In particular, its legendary 2JZ engine is often considered one of the best ever made, both stock and, especially, once tuners got their oily hands on it. Then a funny thing happened: Supras ended production in 2002, and Toyota never made a straight-6 again. So when the Japanese manufacturer delighted their fans by announcing the return of the Supra in 2019, they also had a bombshell to drop. This new Supra would not feature a Toyota-made I6, a successor to the 2JZ. In fact, it would not feature a Toyota-made engine at all. Instead, the modern-day Supra rocks a B58, the same 3.0-liter BMW inline-6 that goes in the M340i. Why wouldn't Toyota make a so-called 3JZ? Simply put, it takes a lot of research and development (R&D) money to design an engine. And since Toyota doesn't make straight-6s at all anymore, it just didn't make financial sense to spend the company's budget on one model, particularly a lower-volume enthusiast model like the Supra. So Toyota had to look outside, and these days, if you're looking for a performance-focused I6, there's really only one game in town. Therefore, the Supra has a Toyota body filled with BMW muscle, making 382 horsepower. When a specific model you love goes out of production, there's nothing to do but remember the good old days -- unless you've got some serious cash flow, obviously. In 2016, Land Rover announced it would discontinue the long-running Defender in its decades-old form. That caused chemicals magnate and Defender die-hard Sir John Ratcliffe to just build it himself, which by now, has already cost him billions of dollars. He spun up a new automotive division of the conglomerate he ran, Ineos, got a Defender look-alike designed, and then named it after his local pub, the Grenadier. And so, the world once again has a new hard-edged tough-guy off-roader, meant to tackle rocky terrain in any weather. As you might expect, a brand-new automotive badge from a company with no history in the industry didn't want to try to design its own engine. So to give the Grenadier the grunt it would need to muscle through the great outdoors, Ineos sought out BMW's B58, which gave the Grenadier 282 horsepower with 331 pound-feet of torque. Boldmen is a relatively new sports car manufacturer, so new that it still only makes a single sports car, the CR4. As a two-door convertible roadster with a rather pronounced hood, you might be forgiven for thinking that it was a BMW Z4. Turns out, you'd basically be right. Boldmen essentially took the Bimmer, built an entirely new body around the chassis, and then tuned up all that Bavarian machinery inside. That includes, naturally, the turbocharged 3-liter inline-6 that goes into the original car, the B58. The bold men of Boldmen have extensively modified that engine, though, so that it develops more horsepower, torque, and smiles while you're driving it. The retuned engine now makes 408 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque in the base trim. At the higher S trim, it makes a whopping 500 hp with 516 lb-ft of torque. It's fair to say that this is a track-focused spec, then. A small manufacturer that still builds all its cars by hand, Morgan produces handsome performance cars that are generally geared more towards being lightweight rather than sporting massive power. The chassis is even made out of ash wood. If there is a brand out there today that still believes in cars as works of art and not of industry, it's Morgan. However, Morgan still needs an engine to power its art, and for its Plus Six model, which only just ceased production in 2025, the company used BMW's turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, the B58. The engine is good for 335 hp, which, combined with the two-door roadster's weight of merely 1.3 tons, gives it a 0-62 miles per hour time of just 4.2 seconds. It's a front-engine layout, giving that car its signature long hood, while also providing it with class and elegance when it's passing Cybertrucks on the highway. A smaller German manufacturer that only produced cars for about 20 years in the '90s and '00s, Wiesmann intended to create roadsters that combined class and elegance with speed and power. Its first car in 1993 was the MF30 Roadster, which was considered lightweight thanks to its fiberglass body. To power it, the company struck a partnership with BMW to use its 3.0-liter inline-6 from its M performance division, the M54. That was good for 228 hp, not a beast but not bad for the early '90s. The MF30 was later updated into the MF3, which instead sported a 3.2-liter S54 engine with a beefier 343 hp. Both models were good-looking cars that could, as their lizard logo suggested, stick to the road like a gecko to a wall. Sadly, the brand as a whole never did quite catch on, and the company folded in 2013. Though it has been resurrected by a new owner with plans for a revival, the new cars aren't planned to carry straight-6s. For a short while in the 1990s, the venerable British stalwart Land Rover was owned by BMW. So while the classic Defender model continued to be a diesel-powered off-roader with an in-house engine, the door was open to start using BMW engines instead if the company wanted to. Land Rover South Africa decided to give it a go with the 2.8-liter inline-6 from BMW's performance shop M, the M52, available in the region from 1997-2002. The engine made 190 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque. Critically, it was a gas-powered engine, which was not otherwise available in a Defender at the time. Even with the SUV available in Africa, this engine never made its way to other Land Rovers around the world, making it something of a rarity. After 2000, BMW washed its hands of the whole brand anyway, marking an end to its engines inside the boxy Brits. As a small Italian make that made a valiant, if ultimately unsuccessful, effort to challenge the SUV market, Rayton-Fissore is more or less known (if you know them at all) for the Magnum -- rebranded as the Laforza in the United States. In typical Italian fashion, the manufacturer decided that luxury SUVs weren't luxurious enough, and so produced a model with gorgeous, leather-clad interior that was meant more for the parking lots of five-star hotels than muddy off-roading. Over the years and trims, the Magnum was offered with a wide range of different engine sizes and layouts from a number of different manufacturers. However, in 1988 and 1989, the Magnum received the M30, a 3.4-liter inline-6 from BMW. This version of the engine, the M30B35, produced 208 hp and 225 lb-ft of torque. The M30 is a venerable piece of machinery, and the single longest-produced engine that BMW ever made, running from 1968-1995. Unfortunately, it was unable to power the Magnum to huge sales, and Rayton-Fissore essentially remains a footnote in automotive history. Japanese carmaker Daihatsu never did leave a big footprint in the West, but as one of the nation's oldest manufacturers, it's been quietly pumping out trucks, off-roaders, and smaller cars for decades. In the 1980s, they took a shot squarely at Land Rover with their boxy Rugger SUV, meant to be a tough but affordable four-wheel drive that could get you out of the city and into the wilderness. However, an Italian coachbuilder, Bertone, being Italian, decided it wasn't fashionable enough. So in 1989, the company built a variant of the Rugger by giving it a makeover, with plusher seats, more leather, and a new grill and roof. It also decided to give it a little more oomph, and to do that, it pulled in a BMW straight-6. Actually, it pulled in two: the turbodiesel 2.4-liter M21 and the 2.0-liter M20. Bertone tried to sell the off-roader, which they'd renamed the Freeclimber, around Europe. However, it never quite caught on and not many were ever made. Production ceased in 1992 after only a few years. While Alpina has long been its own manufacturer selling its own models, all its vehicles are based on BMWs. It does so in close connection with the bigger company, making Alpina something of BMW's little cousin; in fact, BMW acquired Alpina outright in 2022. Current models on sale include the diesel-powered D3 and D4 as well as 98-octane gas options, which include the B3 (based on the BMW 335i) and the B4 (based on the 435i). Even though these are Alpina cars, it's always retained the BMW badge, even before its acquisition, showcasing the tight relationship between the two companies. These models also all retain BMW's twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-6 engine, the performance-spec S58. Alpina has modded that powerhouse a lot, though, including adding in smaller turbochargers and redesigned intakes and exhausts. That nets out to 495 hp and 538 lb-ft for both the 2023 B3 and B4 models. That makes them more powerful than their newest M cousins who are at 437 hp and 406 lb-ft. Want more like this? Join the Jalopnik newsletter to get the latest auto news sent straight to your inbox... Read the original article on Jalopnik.
NDTV
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- NDTV
This Tuned BMW M340i Is More Powerful Than M5; Check Details
India's car tuning scene is evolving, highlighting a mix of performance and style. A viral Instagram reel from The Drivers Hub features a BMW M340i that looks stock but has an incredible 780 horsepower. Modified by Harmonix Tuning, this sedan is now the fastest M340i in India, combining high performance with a sleek design. This isn't merely an add-on improvement; it represents a significant shift in performance. While the M340i may not be flashy, its mechanical setup reflects effective modern performance tuning. Also Read: The build features a KLM6466 turbocharger, which enhances the car's power output significantly compared to its original capacity. With upgraded internals, custom tuning software, and a focus on reliability, this M340i produces 780 horsepower, surpassing many high-performance vehicles. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Drivers Hub (@thedrivershub) The car retains a stock appearance, making it a "sleeper." This M340i has a simple layout from the outside but delivers impressive performance. There are no spoilers, widebody kits, or fancy alloys, just a straightforward design. This build is impressive for its balance. It offers high horsepower while still being easy to drive and comfortable for everyday use. It handles city traffic well and performs great on the drag strip. Harmonix Tuning, a rising name in India's performance car scene, completed the project. They are known for enhancing German cars while keeping their original feel. This BMW M340i is not only a fast car, it symbolizes India's growth in the tuning industry. It shows that Indian enthusiasts have the skills and passion to create top-performance machines. Stay tuned for a full review of the car that is likely to drop soon.
India Today
25-04-2025
- Automotive
- India Today
BMW M340i review, first drive: Fierce & demure
Our country isn't one with a large population of performance cars, and for many reasons. In such a market, achieving more than 1,000 unit sales for a perfromance car is beyond commendable, and that is the car that you see on these pages, the 2024 BMW M340i. The M340i looks the same from the front with the same kidney grille, swept-back LED headlamps, and the same bumpers and air vents. advertisementIt hasn't been very long since we last drove the BMW M340i, which was beefed up with some minor changes and now it's time again. Oh did I sound like I was complaining? Not at all. The M340i is an idea, made into a product, it is the short-wheelbase 3 Series, with the B58 motor, that is a slightly watered down version of the S58, which powers the M2, M3 and M4. The result is a car that plays so heavily on its duality of nature, that it starts pulling on one's heartstrings after just a few minutes behind the wheel. The rear of the M340i also does not get any changes. advertisementNow given the choice between the BMW M2, the hot-headed RWD coupe or the M340i, I'd choose the former, but that is because the quintessential RWD sports coupe format is the peak in any enthusiasts mind, and the M2 by all means is the perfect car, especially with the stick-shifter. But lets say you are a bit sceptical about going all in into a hardcore sports coupe, and would like to have a car that isn't going to wake up the neighbors or scrape its belly on speed breakers, then you should keep reading. The dashboard of the M340i follows BMW's standard layout of the German Marquee. The 2024 MY M340i was launched last year in November, and it comes with even less changes when compared to the 2023 update that the car received. It looks exactly the same from the front, the same kidney grille, the same slim, swept-back LED headlamps, and the same bumpers and air vents. Over to the sides, the story continues as before, but the 19-inch jet black alloys are new, with a new design as well, which blends in much better with the overall theme of the car. It looks the same from the rear as well, with its lip spoiler, diffuser and twin exhaust tips. The Arctic Blue Race Metallic paint you see on the car on these pages is also new, and it is so much better compared to older Tanzanite Blue. Just because it looks 95 per cent the same doesn't mean it is a negative, I actually love the way BMW has given this car some sportier elements, such as the active cooling kidney grille which opens up to provide fresh air to the engine, the aerodynamic ORVM housings and the diffuser and twin-exhausts all let off the vibe that the M340i means business. The interior of the M340i gets hidden aircon vents with toggle-like directional controls, along with electric seats. Step inside, and the interiors are the same as the one before this, but with subtle changes. Firstly, it gets hidden aircon vents with toggle-like directional controls, neat, but not the simplest to operate. While the BMW Curved Display with the 12.3-inch and 14.9-inch displays has been a fixture since the last update, they now run the latest BMW OS 8.5. The seats now come wrapped in Vernasca leather, with M-specific stitching, very premium. And except for the placement of a couple of buttons on the central console, and a slightly altered steering with M Stitching and a red centre marker, its the same. All the information about the M340i can be accessed through the 14.9-inch infotainment panel. advertisementWell enough about how it looks, we all know that the money BMW asks for is all for the performance. And it is good money, considering that the B58 3.0-litre inline-six turbo-petrol makes 374bhp and comes paired to a mild-hybrid system adding 11bhp of boost. Interestingly, the engine used to make more power at 387bhp (before 2023), but the addition of the hybrid boost means that it still accelerates at breakneck pace, achieving 100kmph in just 4.4 seconds. That makes it the fastest ICE car made in India, as BMW never forgets to remind us. But all of this ferocity is reserved for the Sport mode, everything becomes red, the exhaust gets louder, the gearshift and the steering change their character to deliver performance which is unbelievable, the engine starts burning petrol into pure symphony, in a car which looks and behaves for the most part like a regular 3. And that is where I feel that the magic of the M340i resides. The M340i rides on 19-inch wheels shod in Pirelli P Zero rubber. advertisementI mean, if you want an thoroughbred four-door sportscar, then you have the M3, or the C-Class AMG, or the S5/RS5, but all of these cost a bit more, and their daily-life usability isn't great. The suspension is stiffened to take on 911s at the Nordschleife, the seats are more to keep your torso and bottom half in place as you pull unnatural G-forces, and the startup, and subsequent acceleration is enough to wake your neighbours and shame Italian purebreds. And this is where I feel that the M340i sits at an absolute sweet spot, it offers close performance to match its superiors, but in a package that is 100 per cent usable as a normal car. One of the key elements here is the adaptive dampers, now standard for the 2024 car, which in normal mode makes the car feel just as pliant as the regular 3, and gets stiff enough in Sport mode. It gets all kinds of creature comforts, 3-zone climate control, powered seats, and even a start-stop system to help save some fuel during traffic stops. In fact most people who noticed the car, assumed it was a regular 3, till I made the 6-cylinder hit the redline and the exhaust crackle and pop. Yes, I am an yob. Meet a corner, and the M340i will remind you why the M Division is revered, it sticks to its line like nobody's business. advertisementPerformance isn't something that the M340i lacks, you can try and push its limits, and well, it is beyond my skill at the very least. Acceleration is relentless, and it keeps going even beyond the 160kmph mark, and the gearbox just putting the engine into its desired revs every time, with the exhaust providing all the extra drama that you'll need. Meet a corner, and the M340i will remind you why the M Division is revered, it sticks to its line like nobody's business, the xDrive AWD with torque vectoring allowing the front wheels to claw at the tarmac while you contemplate going even faster through the corner, and the M Sport Differential ensuring that the car doesn't isn't surprising that the M340i is a fan favourite, it comes with a proper motor, not a downsized one, genuine performance cred, and everyday usability, all of which blend together at a price that the M340i stays undisputed. Subscribe to Auto Today Magazine
