BMW’s compact M Performance range will receive some extra grunt later this year with an upgrade to its 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine.

The M135i and M235i will be rebadged M140i and M240i respectively to reflect an increase of 10kW/50Nm, both models now producing an impressive 250kW/500Nm.

The latter figure even outpunches the M2 by 35Nm, though BMW’s new baby M-car can match it on overboost. The extra power drops the 0-100km/h claim to 4.6sec for the standard eight-speed automatic, with the no-cost optional six-speed manual adding an extra 0.2sec.

BMW-M135i -revealed

Local pricing is not yet announced, however production begins in July with the updated models set to arrive in Australia shortly after.