The ongoing Covid-19 pandemic in Malaysia has done little to slow down BMW Malaysia’s launches, as they have been pumping out quite a number of new models. The most recent example is the BMW 218i Gran Coupe.

Another model that’s coming real soon is the G20 BMW M340i, which will be launched alongside the 330e plug-in hybrid.

Like the 330e, the upcoming M340i will be locally-assembled (CKD) at BMW Malaysia’s facility in Kulim, Kedah. It also marks the first time the Kulim plant is responsible for assembling an M Performance model.

Slotting above the 330i, the M340i gets a turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six engine that does 387 PS and 500 Nm, 129 PS and 100 Nm more than the 330i. The engine is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission that routes power to all four wheels via BMW's xDrive system.

0-100 km/h is dispatched in just 4.4 seconds, while top speed is electronically-limited to 250 km/h.

These spyshots also confirm that the Malaysian-spec M340i will feature model-specific front and rear bumpers, BMW Laserlight headlights, 19-inch Style 792 M alloy wheels, and more aggressive dual trapezoid mufflers.

Colour options largely mirror that of the BMW 330i, including Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Portimao Blue (as seen here), and Sunset Orange. Mineral Grey isn’t available on the M340i.

When the model is introduced in Malaysia, expect it to be priced in the RM 400k region, pitting closely with the locally-assembled (CKD) Mercedes-Benz C43 AMG (without SST: RM 401,114). The C43 AMG's 3.0-litre turbocharged V6 is good for 390 PS and 520 Nm.