BMW’s Six-Cylinders Gain Muscle While Trimming Their Appetite
When Munich decides to fine-tune its engines, the faithful know to pay attention. This time the spotlight falls on BMW’s celebrated three-litre straight-six petrol, which emerges from its latest update both stronger and more efficient.
The refreshed 3.0-litre twin-turbo petrol now produces 392 horsepower and 540 Newton metres of torque. That marks an increase of 18 horsepower and 40 Newton metres over its predecessor, with the electric motor’s modest 12-horsepower contribution unchanged. The improvements are almost entirely the work of the combustion side. The sprint to 100 km/h has dropped by a tenth of a second, but the more meaningful change is in fuel efficiency. The BMW M240i, for instance, now consumes an average of just 8 litres per 100 kilometres compared with the previous 8.8.
The updates are not confined to the powertrain. The 2 Series Gran Coupé gains a fresh metallic green paint option, while the 4 Series Gran Coupé and the all-electric i4 now feature rear laser lights alongside their adaptive headlights. The X3 benefits from subtly revised rear seat upholstery, and the 5 Series receives a neat practical touch in the form of fabric hooks on the central pillars.
Once again BMW proves a long-standing credo: evolution matters as much as revolution. In this case it means more muscle, less thirst, and another reminder of why the straight-six remains a Bavarian icon.
