2017 BMW M140i Performance Edition | new car sales price

A special BMW M140i Performance Edition will arrive locally during the second quarter of this year, with the limited run of 60 units attracting a price of $71,900 before on-roads costs.

Only 15 local examples of the M140i Performance Edition will be available with a six-speed manual gearbox, while the other 45 will be fitted with an eight-speed automatic transmission.

The Performance Edition distances itself from its standard M140i sibling with the addition of 19-inch two-tone Orbit Grey lightweight alloy wheels, carbon-fibre exterior mirror covers, a high-gloss black finish on BMW's signature kidney grille, black rear fins and a roof-mounted spoiler.

In line with its special-edition nameplate, the exhaust note from the hot hatch's 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder petrol engine is further enhanced with the introduction of a BMW M Performance exhaust system.

Power and torque outputs have not changed, with the rear-wheel drive Performance Edition still delivering the same 250kW/500Nm as its M140i donor car.

According to BMW, interior upgrades for the car closely mirror those of the special-edition M4 GTS.

However, manual Performance Editions will receive the M140i's optional mechanical limited-slip differential (LSD), which helps to maximise traction and power delivery out of corners.

According to BMW, interior upgrades for the car closely mirror those of the special-edition M4 GTS – which was limited to only 700 examples worldwide when released last year to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the M3.

These changes extend to lashings of M Performance-branded Alcantara trim across the dashboard, upgraded sports seats, shift gaiter for manual versions, and an M Performance steering wheel highlighted by red stitching and carbon-fibre trim.

The manual gearshift knob also receives its own carbon-fibre treatment, in addition to aluminium pedals that help reduce foot slippage, according to the German manufacturer.

Every M140i Performance Edition is identified by an individually numbered plaque, detailing its build number (out of 60) and showcasing the M Performance logo.

Standard performance-oriented features to carry over from the donor hot hatch include adaptive M suspension, variable sport steering and M Sport brakes with four-pot front and two-pot rear callipers.

Equipment levels also extend to adaptive LED headlights, iDrive 5, BMW ConnectedDrive, front and rear parking sensors, speed limit detection, adaptive cruise control, dual-zone climate control, Bluetooth capabilities, DAB+ digital radio and a 12-speaker Harman Kardon sound system.

Arriving in October last year, the M140i superseded the M135i performance hero, offering an additional 10kW/50Nm thanks to the change from a front-mounted air-to-air intercooler to a top-mounted air-to-liquid charge-cooler.

Does a series of otherwise optional cosmetic upgrades justify a special-edition model? Tell us what you think in the comments below.