2017 BMW M140i, M240i lines revealed: Power boost for hatch, coupe, convertible
The newly powered-up 2017 BMW M140i and 2017 M240i models have been announced today, debuting with the same new powertrain featured in the new 340i, 440i and X4 M40i.
Headlining the changes to the small M140i hatch and M240i coupe and convertible models is the same all-new 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine that features in their larger mid-sized stablemates.
But, while those bigger offerings get a 240kW/450Nm tune - which is already up 15kW over their '35i' predecessors - these latest M Performance additions to the 40i club instead offer 250kW and a far meaner 500Nm of torque between 1500 and 4500rpm.
That's handy, because the M235i models already offered 240kW and 450Nm, while the still recent facelift of the hatch version early last year saw it upgraded to those same numbers.
It's also a significant step for the range, with the new power figures marking a match for the 1 Series M Coupe hero model built between 2011 and 2012.
BMW claims a 0-100km/h time of 4.8 and 4.6 seconds respectively for the six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic versions of all body styles in the M140i and M240i lines.
The line-up is otherwise unchanged, with the 1 Series already receiving a significant styling and technology upgrade early last year, and the 2 Series updated later in September.
Australia
Local plans for the new variants are still to be confirmed, but, speaking with CarAdvice today, BMW Australia communications manager Lenore Fletcher said that a fourth-quarter 2016 debut would be the most likely window.
As before, the 1 Series hatch will continue to be offered here in five-door form only, and rear-wheel drive will remain the only configuration available.
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