The BMW M340d is the fastest diesel car you can buy

Ok folks, can anyone name a faster diesel-powered car you can buy new, in Britain, right now? Nope, us neither. A 0-62mph time of 4.6 seconds for the saloon (4.8 seconds for the estate) makes the BMW M340d faster than the Audi S4 (and S6, S7, SQ7 and SQ8), any diesel-engined Mercedes and both diesel Alpinas, the X3-based XD3 and 5 Series-based D5. Blimey.

The M340d uses the same turbocharged 3.0-litre straight-six as the existing, and very good, 330d, but BMW has added 74bhp (335bhp over 261bhp), 88lb ft of torque (516bhp plays 428lb ft – all available from 1,750rpm) and a 48-volt mild-hybrid system that patches over the cracks in the internal combustion engine’s power delivery.

The gearbox is the same eight-speed automatic - which is fine because as auto gearboxes go, it’s among the best - while the M Sport exhaust is said to deliver a “highly distinctive aural accompaniment”. Both saloon and Touring M340ds get xDrive all-wheel drive as standard, along with M Sport brakes, suspension, steering, differential and body styling.

As far as economy goes, BMW claims as much as 52.3mpg and as little as 143g/km for the M340d, which replaces the old 335d, meaning it already meets Euro 6d emissions standard due to come into force in 2021.

We’re already massive fans of the petrol-powered M340i. But will we like the diesel as much? Watch this space.

Read our full review of the BMW 3 Series by clicking here.