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Upcoming BMW 340i Will Have 326 HP. More Powerful Models Will Follow

As we reported some time ago, the facelifted BMW F30 3 Series will get a couple of important updates this year, including a couple of new engines. Since they will have higher outputs, a renaming scheme will also be put in motion.
BMW 3 Series LCI 1 photo
Photo: SB Medien
Therefore, we’re bound to get two new models at the very least. There will be a new 340i version joined by a 330i alternative. While the names might suggest bigger plants will be used under the bonnet, the news isn't all that great.

The 340i will be using a new 3-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder engine that will be replacing the popular N55 unit. Part of the new B family of powerplants, the B58M will purportedly make 240 kW or 326 PS/321 BHP.

That’s not a drastic increase if you think about it. The current N55 engine with its 306 PS can go nearly that high with a simple M Performance Power Kit. On top of that, we have the N55 units on the M Performance models (like the M135i and M235i) that make the same amount of power.

However, there is big news here and it’s in the letter at the end of the codename of the engine. Since BMW is calling it ‘B58M’ that means, we’re bound to see B58S and B58T versions that should push the envelope closer to 400 HP.

That's because, as has become the custom at BMW over the years, the last letter in the codename tells you how far the performance has been pushed. M stands for Medium output while T stands for Top and S for Super, which is also the highest you can get.

BMW customers will be demanding more power but the Germans will also have to keep up with the competition. Mercedes, for example, has the C400 and C450 AMG Sport models that have up to 367 HP coming out of 3-liter turbocharged engines. Even Audi has a 3-liter plant that makes 333 HP on the S4 and S5 models that are ready to be replaced.

This scenario also imposes the introduction of an M Performance 3 Series model that would keep up with its German rivals. There’s no word about such a possibility just yet, and we might have to wait and see the end of production the F30 range to get an M340i model.

In the meantime, if you’re a big fan of the N55 engine, you’ll still be able to get one on other models, the most notable being the upcoming M2 that will have such a plant under the bonnet making around 370 HP.

As far as rekindling the 330i name goes, unfortunately, BMW will not go with a 3-liter plant but use a 2-liter 4-cylinder B48 engine instead, good for some 270 HP. Yes, it is disappointing for the 330i nameplate but that’s just how things have to be done these days.
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