355HP BMW X4 M40i early photo leak

The first photos & details of BMW’s M Performance version of their new BMW X4 sports crossover named the M40i have slipped into the open.

Powering the new BMW X4 M40i is a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six delivering 360PS (355 horsepower) & 465Nm (343 lb-ft) of peak torque, an increase of 54PS (54 horsepower) & 65Nm (48 lb-ft) over the Euro-spec X4 xDrive35i that remains in the range.

This hasn’t been confirmed, but it’s rumored that the BMW M40i’s powerplant is earmarked for the upcoming BMW M2 Coupe, possibly with further revised components.

We don’t have the full spec sheet in our hands yet, but the BMW X4 M40i is expected to be paired to a reworked version of the standard model’s eight-speed automatic transmission with steering wheel paddle shifters & BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive.

BMW says the M Performance crossover reaches 100km/h (62mph) in 4.9 seconds, beating the 35i model by 0.6 seconds, while maintaining the same limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).

Unless you’re well-versed in the BMW universe, you’ll have a hard time telling the BMW X4 M40i apart from anyBMW  X4 with an M Sport styling package. The only differences between the two are the sating grey trim accents on the front bumper’s corner air inlets & mirror caps, the bespoke 19-inch alloys in a staggered setup (245/45 front & 275/40 rear), & the single exhaust on either side of the rear bumper.

The only unique pieces inside appear to be the BMW M40i-exclusive sports steering wheel borrowed from the…BMW 3-Series M Sport package & the door sills that bear the name of the model. The rest of the interior gets the same batch of upgrades as any other M Sport-equipped BMW X4 like trim accents & sport front seats.