Understanding the need for speed, adrenaline rush and comfort, BMW has slotted the new ‘Ultimate Driving Machine’, the M340i, between the 3 Series range and the upcoming track-focused M3. Vikram Pawah, President, BMW Group India, said, “We are excited to launch the first-ever BMW M340i xDrive, the quickest car to be locally produced in India - a completely novel high-performance product that the Indian auto enthusiasts have been waiting for eagerly. It is a unique car because it has the thrilling soul of the BMW 3 Series, the amplified power of M and the driving dynamics of BMW xDrive. With the addition of the BMW M340i xDrive, the BMW 3 Series offers the most powerful and diverse range giving our customers the valuable ‘Power of Choice’.” He further said, “This car also marks an important milestone of local production of high-performance BMW cars from the house of ‘M’.”
BMW’s M range is divided into three categories. First is M Sport which is standard BMW models that are souped-up with a cosmetic kit, then is the M Performance like the M340i, which balances high-performance and comfort with M Sport mechanical upgrades, and finally, there is M which not only offers mindboggling power output but also offers sportscar like handling due to rigid chassis set up.
At a quick glance, one may mistake the M340i for a standard 3 Series, but take a closer look, and you notice a dark grey paint finish on the trademark kidney grille, the outside rearview mirrors and on the bumper near the fog lamps. The front grille also comes with metal accents. The sleek-looking adaptive LED headlamps boast state-of-the-art laser light for better illumination. Its sporty nature comes with a body-coloured rear spoiler, pronounced L-shaped LED taillights and grey finish dual exhaust tips. Like the 330i, the M Performance sedan also gets 18-inch alloy wheels, but one can upgrade to 19-inch wheels as well.
Interior
Open the door, and you’re welcomed with the M340i specific door sill. The cabin, as expected, is fully loaded with features like the 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen with gesture controls and wireless Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, along with a wireless phone charger. It also comes standard with a Head-up Display, reflecting the speed and turn-by-turn navigation directions on the windshield. The cabin being predominantly black with metal inserts on the dashboard, and the centre console comes with Alcantara upholstery with contrasting blue stitching. To make the cockpit more special, the M340i comes with some M goodies like M Sport leather steering, seat belts and an all-digital 12.3-inch instrument panel. To ensure that the cabin is a happy place to be, the new sedan boasts 16 speakers Harmon Kardon music system.
Powertrain
Now, coming to the matters of the heart and under the hood is the massive 3-litre turbocharged straight line six-cylinder petrol engine which pumps out 382bhp at 5,800rpm and 500Nm at 1,800-5,000rpm. So, the question arises, why does BMW claim that the M340i is the fastest locally assembled vehicle? That’s because it does from standstill to 100 kilometres in just 4.4 seconds. The motor is mated to an eight-speed torque converter automatic transmission from ZF. As the gearbox’s settings are performance-oriented, it has shorter throws than a standard automatic so that it can hit the redline in the rev meter effortlessly and offers quicker downshifts. To make the driving experience more involving, it also comes with steering wheel paddle-shifters and even manual mode.
The M340i comes with multiple driving modes like Eco Pro, Comfort, Sport and Sport Plus, which changes the suspension set up, engine characteristics like its response, and even the steering wheel’s weight.
Unlike typical rear-wheel-drive BMW sedans, the M340i xDrive is an all-wheel-drive sedan that provides additional traction and keeps the vehicle planted on the tarmac. The M Sport rear differential ensures that the sedan carves out corners with full confidence and negates any understeer or oversteer thanks to the increased rigidity level. There isn’t any additional body roll weighing in either as the weight distribution of the car 50:50 front and rear. Another reason for agile handling characteristics is that the M Sport suspension is rigid by 20 percent and sits 10mm lower than standard 3. With so much power and precise handling, it’s also equipped with the M Sport brakes that are ideal for the city and the race track.
The M340i xDrive will take on the likes of the new Mercedes-Benz A-Class A350 and the upcoming Audi S5. (MT)
Tata Motors To Gift Sierra SUVs To Women's World Cup Winning Team
- By MT Bureau
- November 05, 2025
Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles has announced it will present the Indian Women’s Cricket Team with the first lot of the soon-to-be-launched Tata Sierra SUV following their victory at the ICC Women's World Cup. The Tata Sierra is slated to be launched on 25th November.
The company will gift the top-end model of the Sierra to each team member as part of its salute to the team’s journey and contribution to the country.
Shailesh Chandra, MD and CEO, Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, said, “The Indian Women’s Cricket Team has made the entire nation proud with their extraordinary performance and remarkable win. Their journey stands as a true testament to determination and the power of belief, qualities that inspire every Indian. At Tata Motors Passenger Vehicles, we are privileged to present these legends with another legend, The Tata Sierra. This is our salute to their spirit and the pride they have brought to the nation – Two legends, One spirit, Infinite inspiration.”
Maruti Suzuki India Crosses 30 Million Unit Sales Milestone
- By MT Bureau
- November 05, 2025
Maruti Suzuki India, the country’s leading passenger vehicle manufacturer, has attained a new milestone by crossing the 30-million-unit sales milestone in the domestic market.
The new benchmark was attained by the company over a course of 42 years, with the first 10 million unit sales taking 28 years and 2 months to achieve.
The 20 million unit sales took 7 years and 5 months, while the recent milestone took just 6 years and 4 months.
Interestingly, the entry-level hatchback Alto was the most preferred model in the country, with over 4.7 million units sold, followed by Wagon R with 3.4 million units and the sporty Swift with 3.2 million units.
The Brezza and Fronx SUVs also played an instrumental role in contributing to the sales milestone, being featured among the top 10 models sold in the country.
It was on 14th December 1983, Maruti Suzuki India delivered its first model, the iconic Maruti 800, to its first customer.
Hisashi Takeuchi, Managing Director & CEO, Maruti Suzuki India, said, “When I look at the length and breadth of India and think that 3 crore customers have placed their trust in Maruti Suzuki to realise their dream of mobility, it fills me with humility and gratitude. Yet, with car penetration at approximately 33 vehicles per 1,000 people, we know our journey is far from over. We will continue to make every possible effort to bring the joy of mobility to as many people as we can, while also be an asset to both the economy and the environment at the same time.”
Sharad Agarwal Is Tesla India’s First Business Head
- By MT Bureau
- November 04, 2025
American electric vehicle maker Tesla has appointed Sharad Agarwal, former Chief Business Officer of Classic Legends, as its new business head, according to a report by Bloomberg.
The report further stated that Agarwal joined the EV maker a week ago and is tasked to drive sales for Tesla in India, which as per industry observers, has not performed as per the company’s expectations.
Agarwal, an automotive industry veteran, had begun his career with TVS Motor Co as Area Sales Manager in December 2002, before joining Mahindra First Choice Wheels as its Business Head for North and Eastern region in March 2007.
It was in January 2013, he moved to Audi India as the head of Sales, before taking over as the head of Lamborghini India in April 2016, where he spent almost 9 years, before joining Classic Legends.
During his tenure at Lamborghini, the Italian super luxury car maker saw its dealerships across India achieved a Return on Sales (RoS) of more than 10 percent, setting a new benchmark for the automotive business in the country. He also grew India’s ranking for the automaker as the third market globally in terms of PR visibility in 2021.
He also expanded Lamborghini India’s reach to over 60 cities, with sales volumes from Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities contributing more than 25 percent of the total.
Tesla, which formally started deliveries in September 2025 with its first dealership in Mumbai and the second facility in Delhi, has till date delivered 114 vehicles, of the estimated 600-plus bookings.
File photo for representational purposes only.
Mahindra & Mahindra Reports INR 36 Billion Net Profit For Q2 FY2026
- By MT Bureau
- November 04, 2025
Mumbai-headquartered business conglomerate Mahindra & Mahindra has announced its financial results for Q2 FY2026 with consolidated Revenue reaching INR 461 billion, marking a 22 percent YoY growth.
The consolidated Profit After Tax (PAT) stood at INR 36 billion, a 16 percent increase YoY. The company stated that, excluding specific one-time impacts, PAT growth was 28 percent YoY.
Mahindra’s Auto business reported sales of 262,000 vehicles, up 13 percent, which includes around 146,000 SUV sales. This translated to a revenue of INR 271 billion, up 25 percent YoY, while net profit came at INR 15 billion, up 8 percent YoY.
On the other hand, the farm sector reported its highest ever Q2 market share at 43 percent with sales of 123,000 units, up 32 percent YoY. The revenue came at INR 102 billion, up 25 percent, while consolidated net profit came at INR 11 billion, up 45 percent YoY.
Dr. Anish Shah, Group CEO & Managing Director, Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “We are pleased with the strong execution and solid performance delivered across the group in Q2 FY2026. Auto and Farm sustained their leadership with consistent gains in market share and profitability. TechM is progressing well on its transformation journey. MMFSL achieved a 45 percent PAT growth and remains committed to quality growth and digital transformation. Our Growth Gems are steadily advancing towards their ambitious goals, reinforcing our long-term value creation potential.”
Rajesh Jejurikar, Executive Director & CEO (Auto and Farm Sector), Mahindra & Mahindra, said, “Strong performance of our Auto and Farm businesses continues in Q2 FY2026 reinforcing our leadership position, with a gain of 390 bps YoY in SUV revenue share, and 100 bps YoY in LCV (< 3.5T) market share. In Tractors, we gained 50 bps YoY to reach 43 percent market share. Our Auto Standalone PBIT margin (excl. e-SUV Contract Mfg.) improved by 80 bps to 10.3 percent and core Tractor PBIT margins improved by 190 bps to 20.6 percent.”
Amarjyoti Barua, Group Chief Financial Officer, Mahindra & Mahindra, “Our solid Q2 consolidated results reflects the strength of our diversified portfolio. We continue to deliver on our strategic priorities. We had strong cash generation in the first half, delivering over INR 100 billion of operating cash flow. We remain committed to sustainable growth and value creation.”
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