BMW India has opened bookings for an upcoming, go-fast attraction – the M340i xDrive. In other words, a petrol-powered turbocharged 3 Series with an all-wheel-drive system. The car will be available for a limited time, and it can only be booked online by visiting the BMW website and paying the minimum token amount of Rs 1 lakh.

Powering the M340i xDrive is a 3.0-litre, 6-cylinder engine that pumps out 382bhp/500Nm. An 8-speed automatic transmission handles the duty to harness all that oomph and transfer it to all four wheels. According to BMW, the sedan can hit 100kmph from a standstill in 4.4 seconds and reach 250kmph flat out.

Features? As you’d expect, it’ll pack many. The list includes 18-inch alloy wheels, ambient lighting, a Harman Kardon sound system, BMW LaserLight tech, electronically-controlled limited-slip differential and Adaptive M Suspension. If that’s a bit poor for you, there’s more. Features like the tailgate’s automatic operation, a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster, a 10.25-inch touchscreen infotainment system, a head-up display, launch control function, powered seats with memory function and three-zone automatic climate control are also on offer.

The first 40 customers could enjoy a driver training programme, which will be conducted by BMW certified trainers at “an iconic race track” in India. The drivers will have the real estate to push their AWD M340i to its limits.

BMW will assemble the M340i xDrive at its plant in Chennai. When it launches, which could happen next week, it will become the new range-topper in the 3 Series range as the M3 is presently not on sale in India. Expect it cost close to Rs 65 lakh, ex-showroom. You can purchase the 6 Series Gran Turismo in 630i and 630d forms for about the same money. Another BMW which is in the same price bracket is the X4 xDrive30i. What about direct rivals? The M340i xDrive will lock horns with the Mercedes-AMG C 43, which costs around Rs 80 lakh and is a two-door coupe.