It was only a few days ago when BMW started accepting bookings for the M340i xDrive officially. Today, we get to know how much the sedan costs. The ex-showroom price is Rs 62.9 lakh. Yes, compared to the rest of the 3 Series range, the new variant does seem a bit too dear, especially when considering that it is being put together at BMW’s Chennai facility. But what you get in return is something worth paying the extra for – performance, BMW style.

Under the bonnet is a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder, turbocharged petrol engine which produces 382bhp/500Nm. All that oomph goes to all four wheels via a slick 8-speed automatic transmission. BMW claims that the M340i xDrive can hit 100kmph from nothing in 4.4 seconds, whereas the top speed is electronically-limited to 250kmph. Those figures alone justify the price gap. No? Hold on until the end of the article, and you might change your stand.

The list of features is an extensive one. As standard, the M340i xDrive comes with 18-inch alloy wheels, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, ambient lighting and an electronically-controlled limited-slip differential. The go-fast car also packs a head-up display, three-zone climate control, powered seats with memory function, launch control, cruise control, BMW LaserLight tech and automatic tailgate operation.

BMW said that the first 40 owners of the M340i xDrive would get a chance to enrol in a driver training programme. Certified BMW trainers would conduct it, and the owners will be taught how to drive enthusiastically around a race track in India. BMW says that the M340i xDrive will be available for a limited period.

BMW says that all units planned for production till June 2021 have already found takers. The new range-topping BMW 3 Series (because the M3 isn’t on offer at the moment) doesn’t really have a direct rival at the moment. The closest one is the Mercedes-AMG C 43, which costs about Rs 80 lakh and is a two-door coupe. Audi, however, will definitely pit a contender opposite the M340i xDrive. And that would be the S5. Expect that to launch in a few weeks.