BMW M340d xDrive: an BMW M with a diesel engine and ECO label

A diesel BMW 3 Series M? It exists: it is called the M340d xDrive and, moreover, it carries the ECO label from the DGT.

BMW presents the sportiest and at the same time most efficient version of its 3 Series, the BMW M340d xDrive, available in saloon and Touring estate body styles. A high-performance diesel, but with all the attributes expected of a BMW bearing the Motorsport badge.

Its exterior styling makes it clear that this is a very special model. Some details are essential to ensure cooling of the engine and brakes. The front apron, side skirts and rear have all been redesigned, with an M spoiler and trapezoidal exhaust outlets. The exterior mirrors feature grey metallic-finish housings.

Inside, the M character is reflected in the sports seats upholstered in Sensatec and Alcantara, the multifunction M steering wheel, and the M-specific pedals and floor mats. Standard equipment includes three-zone climate control, ambient lighting, parking assistant, BMW Live Cockpit Plus with navigation and an 8.8-inch screen, and the Connected Plus package.

The starting price of the BMW M340i xDrive saloon begins at 72,100 euros, 2,000 euros more for the estate variant. But… what do we find under its bodywork?

Six-cylinder diesel and all-wheel drive

To begin with, a very powerful engine that runs on diesel: the 3-litre six-cylinder with two-stage turbo and variable geometry, which delivers 340 CV and a peak torque of 700 Nm. It is paired with an 8-speed Steptronic gearbox with a specific calibration for sporty performance, featuring Launch Control.

Power is distributed to all four wheels in a variable manner, with the rear axle taking the lead, through the xDrive all-wheel drive system. The M differential on the rear axle adds the finishing touch to the sporty handling. The standard sports suspension, with specific damping calibration and springs, lowers the body height by 10 mm. The adaptive M suspension, with electronically controlled dampers, is available as an option.

The variable-ratio dynamic steering is standard, as are the 18-inch M alloy wheels, which for this application are fitted with tyres of different sizes on each axle: 225/45 at the front and 255/40 at the rear. BMW also offers the option of 19-inch wheels with high-performance tyres.

High performance with ECO label

The BMW M340d xDrive are high-performance sports saloons, as their acceleration figure reveals: from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.6 seconds for the saloon, only two tenths more for the estate. All this with a consumption figure starting at 5.3 l/100 km (NEDC cycle, somewhat higher on the more realistic WLTP cycle)… and with all the advantages of the ECO label.

This is precisely one of the features that makes the BMW M340d so special, as there are not many turbodiesel options with an ECO label on sale in our market. Of course, the introduction of mild hybridisation is changing that.

The 48-volt Mild-Hybrid technology is what allows these new versions to carry the DGT ECO label. They also incorporate the necessary SCR catalyst and AdBlue injection to comply with current standards and the future Euro 6d.

In the BMW M340d, the Mild-Hybrid system provides a boost of up to 11 CV thanks to its small electric motor that acts as the starter motor. It assists the combustion engine when cruising at constant speed or during hard acceleration, thereby helping to reduce consumption.