BMW M Performance range power upgrade

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.

Both transmissions have received attention as part of this upgrade. The six-speed manual will now automatically rev-match on downshifts unless the stability control is deactivated, while the auto adopts launch control, a wider gear spread and is integrated with the sat-nav, the transmission able to use analyse the road ahead and select the appropriate gear.

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