The previous generation of the BMW 3 Series topped with the corner-carving M3, the F80 with a twin-turbo sixer and a DCT. The truth of the matter is, even the 340i version of the F30 can hold its own on the blacktop despite its single-turbo engine and eight-speed automatic.
Take, for instance, the black-painted sedan in the following video. The 2016 model doesn’t feature xDrive all-wheel drive, but the Bavarian interloper didn’t break a sweat on the quarter-mile run. The best pass of the night was 10.9 seconds at 125.46 miles per hour (202 kilometers per hour) against a Ford F-150 SVT Raptor pickup truck with the almighty Boss V8.
It’s not a stock Bimmer, though. Drag Racing and Car Stuff found out from the owner that nothing crazy is going on under the hood with the exception of an E85 tune from F80 Paul, which is a pretty straightforward modification.
E85 is one of the cheapest and safest ways to go fast because ethanol burns cooler than dinosaur juice while providing a race fuel-rivaling octane rating. In other words, bigger bangs in the combustion chamber translate to more horsepower and pound-feet of torque from the straight-six turbo engine.
Two more upgrades need to be mentioned, starting with the downpipe. Larger in diameter than the bone-stock component, the aftermarket part allows the turbo to work more efficiently. The 3.0-liter sixer also breathes out better, helping the old-gen 340i on the quarter-mile pass.
Last but certainly not in the least, check out the wheels and tires. The owner of the rear-wheel-drive 340i switched to a set of super-sticky drag radials for the rear axle to improve off-the-line and straight-line performance, which is a mandatory upgrade if you’re into strip-slaying shenanigans.
As opposed to the F30 generation, the all-new M340i also happens to be a little more potent than its predecessor. The compact executive sedan in this specification develops 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet (500 Nm) as opposed to 320 horsepower and 332 pound-feet (450 Nm) for the discontinued model. If you opt for xDrive, the G20 also happens to be as quick as the all-new M3 from zero to 60 miles per hour (96 kph).
After a 1:43 scale model of a Ferrari 250 GTO sparked Mircea's interest for cars when he was a kid, an early internship at Top Gear sealed his career path. He's most interested in muscle cars and American trucks, but he takes a passing interest in quirky kei cars as well. Full profile
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