Munich. 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 M
Performance 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)