When BMW introduced the all-new 3 Series last month in Paris, it disclosed preliminary technical specification about the hotter M340i / M340i xDrive, but without showing the car in the City of Lights. Should you want to check out in the metal the hottest non-M version of the new 3er, you’ll have to head to the Los Angeles Auto Show at the end of the month.

Gallery: 2020 BMW M340i

Aside from announcing it will have the spicy 3er flavours in L.A., BMW has released a few fresh photos of the sports saloon scheduled to arrive in Europe in July while the U.S. will have to wait until summer. Regardless if you go for the tail-happy version or the grippy all-paw model, you’ll be rewarded with a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline-six engine producing 382 bhp and 369 pound-feet of torque. That makes it the most powerful non-M 3 Series ever built.

2020 BMW M340i

When it comes to performance, the xDrive-equipped M340i needs 4.4 seconds to complete the 0-62 mph, so it’s half a second quicker than its predecessor. It’s possible also thanks to the eight-speed Sport Steptronic gearbox featuring launch control to provide the best acceleration possible. The new 3er is also lighter than the model it replaces (by up to 55 kilograms) and that obviously pays dividends in terms of performance.

2020 BMW M340i

If you feel like life’s too short to wait for the fully fledged M3 and you’re also not willing to pay the premium, the M340i is shaping up to be a great driver’s car. With a near perfect 50:50 weight distribution, M Sport limited-slip differential, a low centre of gravity, and a 25-percent stiffer body, the hottest 3 Series that’s not an M3 should deliver plenty of smiles behind the wheel.

2020 BMW M340i

Details about how much it’s going to cost have not been released, but BMW has told us it’ll likely put a price tag on the M340i and M340i xDrive on November 28 in Los Angeles. Meanwhile, check out the press release below to read all the juicy info.