Audi and Mercedes Remain Unable to Overtake the BMW M340i Even After Six Years

Germans make some of the world's best luxury sedans. This is true for compact, midsize, full-size, and especially sports sedans. They've been doing it for more than half a century, and ask anyone in this writer's vicinity in Europe, and they'll also tell you these are the best cars in the world. However, one German brand has consistently been making the fastest ones – not just the fastest in general, but also the fastest models at their respective price points.

In 2019, BMW released the new M340i, powered by the now-revered B58 turbo straight-six . Not even a true "M" car, this entry-level sports sedan could rocket to 60 mph in 3.8 seconds (or 3.7 with BMW's xDrive AWD) and beat all of its competitors, including those from Audi and Mercedes-Benz at its ~$50,000 price point. Fair game, but the German brands have been working hard to introduce new and more powerful sedans to beat BMW's low-end offering for more than 5 years since then. It seems their efforts were futile.

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  2025款宝马M340i

  Starting Price (MSRP)

  $57,600

  Engine/Motor

  3.0-Liter Turbo I6

  Horsepower

  382 hp

  Torque

  368 lb-ft

  Drivetrain

  RWD, AWD

  Transmission

  8-Speed Automatic

  0-60 MPH

  3.8 Seconds

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  2024款梅赛德斯-AMG C 43 4MATIC

  Starting Price (MSRP)

  $60,700

  Engine/Motor

  Hybrid 2.0-Liter Turbo 4-Cylinder + electric motor

  Horsepower

  435 hp

  Torque

  365 lb-ft

  Drivetrain

  All-Wheel Drive

  Transmission

  9-Speed Automatic

  0-60 MPH

  4.6 Seconds