What if you could blend performance with fuel economy? BMW believes you can and the diesel-powered M340d has leaked. Here's what we know so far.

The European market loves performance diesel vehicles and they sell plenty of them across all segments. In South Africa, we've had the Volkswagen Golf GTD which sold very few units, and if we recall correctly, BMW offered its F10 5-Series with the 35d powertrain. With 230 kW and 630 Nm from a turbocharged 3.0-litre 6-cylinder diesel motor, the performance was brisk with a claimed 0-100 of 5.5 seconds, while consuming just 5.4 L/100 km.

Now thanks to Dutch publication Autoweek.nl, we get some juicy details on the new BMW M340d. The newcomer will come with xDrive and in sedan form it'll hit 100 kph in just 4.6 seconds and go onto a limited top speed of 250 kph. We say sedan form as BMW is also offering this model in a Touring/Estate bodystyle.

The engine of choice is the same as the one found in the X3/X4 M40d and is a 3.0-litre turbocharged straight-6 diesel. It packs 240 kW and unlike the SUV duo who have 680 Nm, this M340d has 700 Nm. The consumption claim is very impressive with between 5.3 – 5.7 L/100 km and the new M340d features an engine-off coasting functionality which works at speeds of up to 160 kph.

Right now the most powerful diesel BMW 3 Series in South Africa is the rear-wheel drive 330d, which has 195 kW and 580 Nm from a 3.0-litre straight-6 diesel. It's good for 5.5 seconds to 100 kph and it is claimed to consume 5.5 L/100 km. We should get official details and specifications regarding the BMW M340d xDrive soon.

With big exhausts and subtle M340d badging, this is a bit of a stealth weapon.

Further Reading

BMW M340i xDrive (2019) Launch Review

BMW M340i xDrive (2019) International Prototype Drive

The new BMW M340i: Your budget-friendly M3

BMW 318i Returning to SA

BMW 3 Series Range Expanded W/Pricing