The only six-cylinder petrol model in 3-series range with the diesel fuelled 330d expected later, the M Performance tuned 340i distinguishes itself from the four-cylinder 330i by virtue of a redesigned front apron, a mesh grille, wider door sills, new cooling ducts integrated into the front bumper, a Cerium Grey Metallic finish for the mirror caps, grille surrounds, side air vents and exhausts, and 18-inch M light alloy wheels with 19-inch alloys being optional.

Identified further as the most sporting 3-series by its blue brake calipers as part of the M Sport bake system, the lowered M Sport suspension with Adaptive M dampers, the M340i also gets BMW’s Variable Sport Steering setup as standard, along with the M Sport differential.

Similarly subtle are its interior tweaks, made up of M Sport seats trimmed in Sensatec/Alcantara, an M Sport, leather wrapped steering wheel, Anthracite roof liner, aluminium inserts and special M340i letting on the digital instrument cluster.

Underneath its bonnet, Munich’s rival for the Mercedes-AMG C43 produces 275kW/500Nm from its 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-six, which will see it race from 0-100km/h in 4.4 seconds, and on to a limited top speed of 250km/h. While 12kW/20Nm down on the C43, the M340i comes fitted as standard with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system, as well as the sports optimised version of the eight-speed Steptronic gearbox.

BMW South Africa has confirmed that the M340i xDrive will make its local unveiling in September next year.