Last week we took a BMW M140i out for a quick first drive to see what’s new under the hood of the hottest hatchback of the moment. However, without access to an unrestricted Autobahn, we couldn’t really test to see how fast the car can reach its limited top speed of 250 km/h (155 mph). Luckily for us, other people live in Germany, near such locations and they can shed some more light into such ‘complex’ questions. Therefore, watching the BMW M240i in the video below reach maximum velocity tells you all you need to know about how crazy fast these new M Performance cars are.
Under the hood of all M140i and M240i models hides the same 3-liter straight six engine fitted with one turbocharger. Codenamed B58 in BMW lingo, the new-age motor is capable of delivering 340 HP and 500 Nm (369 lb-ft) of torque. What’s even more impressive is that the torque figure is reached from as low as 1,500 RPM which translates into no turbo lag whatsoever.
And you can feel it too. The M140i we tested was so powerful that it had absolutely no problem in breaking traction even at higher speeds. All of this was even more stunning as the tires the car comes with as standard are Michelin Pilot Super Sport which are supposed to be some of the best in the business at offering grip and keeping the car in permanent contact with the ground.
The M240i is basically the same car with a different body style. Even the acceleration times are identical with the ones of the 3-door hatch M140i. Accelerating to 100 km/h (62 mph) takes just 4.6 seconds while reaching top speed doesn’t seem to be an issue at all, as you’re about to see. As a matter of fact, judging by what the video below is showing us, the car does seem to be able to go quite a lot faster as well, were it not for the electronic limiter that sees it stop at 250 km/h (155 mph).
