Germans make some of the world’s best luxury sedans. This is true for compact, midsize, full-size, and especially sports sedans. They’ve been doing it for more than half a century, and ask anyone in this writer’s vicinity in Europe, and they’ll also tell you these are the best cars in the world. However, one German brand has consistently been making the fastest ones – not just the fastest in general, but also the fastest models at their respective price points.
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BMW
Divisions
M
Founded
1916
Founder
Karl Rapp and Gustav Otto
Headquarters
Munich, Germany
Current CEO
Oliver Zipse
Status
Active
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In 2019, BMW released the new
M340i, powered by the now-revered B58 turbo straight-six
. Not even a true « M » car, this entry-level sports sedan could rocket to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds (or 3.7 with BMW’s xDrive AWD) and beat all of its competitors, including those from Audi and Mercedes-Benz at its ~$50,000 price point. Fair game, but the German brands have been working hard to introduce new and more powerful sedans to beat BMW’s low-end offering for more than 5 years since then. It seems their efforts were futile.
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2025 BMW M340i
Starting Price (MSRP)
$57,600
Engine/Motor
3.0-Liter Turbo I6
Horsepower
382 hp
Torque
368 lb-ft
Drivetrain
RWD, AWD
Transmission
8-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH
3.8 Seconds
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2024 Mercedes-AMG C 43 4MATIC
Starting Price (MSRP)
$60,700
Engine/Motor
Hybrid 2.0-Liter Turbo 4-Cylinder + electric motor
Horsepower
435 hp
Torque
365 lb-ft
Drivetrain
All-Wheel Drive
Transmission
9-Speed Automatic
0-60 MPH
4.6 Seconds
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2025 Audi S5
Starting Price (MSRP)
$59,195
Engine/Motor
3.0-Liter Turbo V6
Horsepower
349 hp
Torque
369 lb-ft
Drivetrain
AWD
Transmission
7-Speed Dual-Clutch
0-60 MPH
4.3 Seconds
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In their latest drag race video, Carwow recently pitted the BMW M340i xDrive against its most fierce opponents in 2024: the Mercedes-AMG C43 and the latest Audi S5. The hybrid-powered Mercedes is even more powerful and more plush than the M340i. All three cars are AWD and start at around $60,000 today. Interestingly, the BMW M340i is a 2019 model while the Audi and Mercedes it raced against are both brand-new cars.
The Luxury Sports Sedan Showdown
1/4 Mile Race Results
Model
1/4 Mile Time
BMW M340i
12.5 seconds
Audi S5
12.8 seconds
Mercedes-AMG C43
12.9 seconds
If you’ve read the headline, you already know what happens. Apologies to Audi and Mercedes-AMG fans, but the BMW M340i wipes the floor with both of these in a standing quarter-mile race.
Surprisingly, by far the most powerful car in the lineup – the C43 – was also the slowest. This likely has to do with its weight, as it tips the scales at some 300 lbs more than the BMW, according to Carwow. It also uses a special 9-speed AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 9G automatic transmission that’s not as aggressive as the M340i’s. The same is the case with its AMG « Race Start » launch control, resulting in a less-than-impressive 4.6-second 0-60 mph time. The Audi S5 had an impressive showing, especially considering the massive weight difference, but ultimately failed to catch the M340i. According to Carwow, the tested Audi S5 weighs some 600 lbs more than the M340i.
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Why The BMW M340i Is So Fast
Often dubbed « budget M3 » or « M3 lite, » the magic of the M340i starts and ends with its choice of powertrain: the legendary B58 turbo inline-six mated to a ZF 8-speed automatic. The engine, which also powers the
Supra to a 3.9-second 0-60 mph time
, feeds all four wheels with a healthy 382 hp and 368 lb-ft of torque. However, in typical BMW fashion, this figure is vastly underrated. The M340i makes close to its advertised 382 hp at the wheels.
The B58 utilizes a new closed-deck block design
to make it more durable and reliable than the N55 it replaces. This not only allows the engine to operate reliability with a large twin-scroll turbocharger but also to be easily tuned to produce double its advertised factory power output. As a result of its reliable performance, the B58 is now famous among tuners and enthusiasts and has earned numerous awards and a spot in « WardsAuto’s 10 Best Engines » lists multiple times.
The transmission the M340i’s B58 engine is mated to is no less impressive. The gear shifts in the M340i’s new ZF-sourced automakers aren’t just lightning-quick but also famously smooth and generally considered an improvement over BMW’s bumpy old dual-clutch transmission. As a result, the xDrive AWD model launches to 60 mph in an impressive 3.7 seconds and reaches an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. With the limiter removed, owners are consistently able to exceed 186 mph.
Source: BMW.
