More power and greater efficiency for the quartet of compact BMW M Performance Automobiles

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The passing of the baton from one generation of engines to the next in July 2016 will enable the BMW M Performance Automobiles in the #bmw 1 Series and #bmw 2 Series model ranges to showcase their stellar sporting character with even greater élan. The new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine in question – which develops 250 kW/340 hp, a 10 kW/14 hp increase in maximum output over its predecessor – not only optimises the sprinting power of the two cars, it also lowers their fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. The 3.0-litre unit with further developed M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology is a product of the #bmw Group’s latest engine generation. The advances in dynamics and efficiency that come as part of the package are also expressed by the new model designations for the BMW M140i 3-door (fuel consumption combined: 7.8 l/100 km [36.2 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 179 g/km), BMW M140i 5-door (fuel consumption combined: 7.8 l/100 km [36.2 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 179 g/km), BMW M240i Coupe (fuel consumption combined: 7.8 l/100 km [36.2 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 179 g/km) and BMW M240i Convertible (fuel consumption combined: 8.3 l/100 km [34.0 mpg imp]; CO2 emissions combined: 189 g/km).

This boost in power means the BMW M Performance members of the #bmw 1 Series and #bmw 2 Series model ranges now offer the same output levels as the #bmw 1 Series M Coupe built between 2011 and 2012. They can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) up to 0.3 seconds quicker than their predecessors, and their fuel consumption and emissions (as calculated in the EU test cycle) are as much as 7 per cent lower. The #bmw M140i 3-door, BMW M140i 5-door, #bmw M240i Coupe and BMW M240i Convertible are fitted with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, while the latest version of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is available as an option. And as an alternative to sending their power to the rear wheels, all four models can also be ordered with #bmw xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive.

Setting the benchmark for power delivery, efficiency and refinement: the new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with #mperformance TwinPower Turbo technology.

The engine developed for this quartet of compact power merchants stands out from the crowd with its instantaneous responses, high-revving ebullience and exemplary efficiency. Its dynamic power delivery is accompanied by a beautifully intense take on the emotionally rich engine sound characteristic of a #bmw straight-six. The new unit has an aluminium crankcase and cylinder head, and the refinement that is likewise a hallmark of #bmw six-cylinder in-line engines has been elevated to another level still thanks to new, near-source acoustic shielding. The TwinScroll turbocharger integrated into the cast-steel exhaust manifold is extremely efficient – on account of its compact construction and the presence of an indirect intercooler. Helping to minimise emissions, meanwhile, are electric wastegate control and the close-coupled arrangement of the catalytic converter.

The latest generation of VALVETRONIC fully variable valve control provides particularly precise load control, enhancing the engine’s responsiveness and efficiency. And rounding off the latest update of M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology is Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing on both the intake and exhaust sides. Also doing their bit to seal the exceptionally fine balance between driving pleasure and fuel consumption for this output class are a coolant pump that operates only as necessary, a map-controlled oil pump, Electric Power Steering, the #auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration and various other solutions developed under the banner of #bmw EfficientDynamics.

A key element in the new engine’s ability to serve up thrillingly dynamic acceleration is the pulling power that comes on tap early and is maintained over a wide rev range. The new unit lays on peak torque of 500 Newton metres (369 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 4,500 rpm and generates maximum output of 250 kW/340 hp at 5,500 rpm.

Six-speed manual gearbox with throttle b lipping function, eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission with wider gear spread.

Technical innovations designed to enhance driving pleasure and optimise efficiency are also at work in the transfer of engine power to the driven wheels. The standard six-speed manual gearbox fitted in the compact BMW M Performance Automobiles offers an engagement speed control function to deliver exceptionally smooth gear changes. On downshifts, the transmission management increases shift comfort by initiating a throttle blipping function; as the driver shifts into a lower gear, this increases the engine’s revs to the ideal level for the target gear.

The latest-generation six-cylinder in-line engine can be combined with the likewise new version of the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission as an option. With its wider gear spread and further improved internal efficiency, this automatic transmission – fitted as standard on the all-wheel-drive versions of the compact BMW M Performance Automobiles – makes an additional contribution to increasing efficiency. The option of carrying out multiple downshifts opens the door to more dynamic gearshifts and particularly swift responses to movements in the accelerator. Added to which, the cars’ driving comfort and acoustic appeal both benefit from the use of a rev-linked vibration damper. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission provides top-class shift dynamics and, in addition to the Launch Control function delivering traction-optimised acceleration off the line, also offers a predictive shift strategy. Here, the transmission management works in conjunction with the car’s navigation system to analyse the driving situation and route profile and, in so doing, determine the ideal moment for a gear change.

Enhanced dynamics, lower fuel consumption: acceleration improves by up to 0.3 seconds, fuel consumption drops by as much as 7 per cent.

The extra dynamic potency heralded by the further developed powertrain technology is reflected by significantly improved acceleration values. The #bmw M140i 3-door and #bmw M140i 5-door complete the dash from 0 to  100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds with the standard six-speed manual gearbox or 4.6 seconds with the optional eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission. All of which means they reach 100 km/h (62 mph) 0.3 seconds sooner in both cases than their respective predecessors. An identical improvement can be seen with the BMW M140i xDrive 3-door and BMW M140i xDrive 5-door, which dispatch the same sprint in just 4.4 seconds. Average fuel consumption in the EU test cycle comes in at 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres [36.2 mpg imp] for the #bmw M140i 3-door and BMW M140i 5-door (automatic: 7.1 l/100 km [39.8 mpg imp]) and 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres [38.2 mpg imp] for the BMW M140i xDrive 3-door and #bmw M140i xDrive 5-door. Which equates to a drop of between 3 and 5 per cent below the figures recorded by the outgoing models. CO2 emissions are now 179 grams per kilometre (automatic: 163 g/km) for the rear-wheel-drive models and 169 grams per kilometre where xDrive is involved.

The #bmw M240i Coupe likewise powers from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds (automatic: 4.6 seconds) – or 4.4 seconds in all-wheel-drive guise. Those figures represent an improvement of 0.2 seconds in both cases. Fuel consumption and emissions in the EU test cycle are down by 4 to 7 per cent compared to their predecessors’ values. The #bmw M240i Coupe now posts a figure of 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres [36.2 mpg imp] (179 g/km) with the manual gearbox or 7.1 litres per 100 kilometres [39.8 mpg imp] (163 g/km) when the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is fitted. The #bmw M240i xDrive Coupe is rated at 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres [38.2 mpg imp] (169 g/km).

Both variants of the open-top BMW M Performance Automobile race from rest to 100 km/h (62 mph) 0.3 seconds faster than before. The acceleration figures now stand at 4.9 seconds (automatic: 4.7 seconds) for the BMW M240i Convertible and 4.6 seconds for the BMW M240i xDrive Convertible. Combined fuel consumption and emissions in the EU test cycle drop by 2 to 6 per cent – to 8.3 litres per 100 kilometres [34.0 mpg imp] (189 g/km) in conjunction with the six-speed-manual gearbox, 7.4 litres per 100 kilometres [38.2 mpg imp] (169 g/km) if the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission is fitted and 7.8 litres per 100 kilometres [36.2 mpg imp] (179 g/km) in the case of the BMW M240i xDrive Convertible.

Just like their further upgraded powertrain technology, the model-specific equipment compositions on board the compact BMW M Performance Automobiles are also geared to promoting a driving experience that fuels sporting ambitions. Standard specification includes M Sport suspension lowered by 10 millimetres, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in exclusive double-spoke design, an M Sport braking system, Variable Sports Steering with Servotronic function, a model-specific M aerodynamic package and exterior mirror caps in Ferric Grey metallic. Playing their part in the sporting interior ambience are the cloth/Alcantara sports seats with blue contrast stitching, the M leather steering wheel and an M driver’s footrest.

Manual on fuel consumption and CO2 emissions:

For further details on official fuel consumption figures, official specific CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars, please refer to the "Manual on fuel consumption, CO2 emissions and power consumption of new cars", available at sales outlets, from Deutsche Automobil Treuhand GmbH (DAT), Hellmuth-Hirth-Str. 1, 73760 Ostfildern-Scharnhausen and at http://www.dat.de/angebote/verlagsprodukte/leitfaden-kraftstoffverbrauch.html. ManualCO2 (PDF - 2.7 MB)