Road Test
TAKES 2 TO TANGO
BMW M240i xDrive review: A special & comfy car for real BMW enthusiasts
TO get a pure BMW these days you have to count to 2. By that I mean, 2 Series.
The 1 Series started life doing all of Beemer’s party tricks. They were rear-drive with the option of six-cylinder engines. But that’s no longer the case.
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Today’s 1 Series is front-driven and powered only by three and four-cylinder engines. Or you can have xDrive, which is BMW code for all-wheel drive.
That means a BMW 128ti is the equivalent of a Volkswagen Golf GTI. Front-driven and 265hp.
The top-spec M135i xDrive is more Golf R. All-wheel drive and 306hp. Both great cars but not signature BMWs.
Step up to the 2 Series Coupe, however, and everything starts looking more BMW-like. You get the full BMW experience.
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The entry car is rear-drive although it does use four-pot engines, petrol and diesel. They are badged 220i and 220d.
But go for the M240i and you get that sweet-sounding 3-litre six-cylinder engine, albeit with xDrive as standard.
The top bods at BMW’s M division — M meaning motorsport for the street — have made sure it is heavily rear-biased and the front wheels only grip when you’re in trouble.
There’s a full-fat M2 on the way too. Expect that to be 450 horses, with a choice of rear-drive and xDrive, and much carbon fibre lightness. We’ll see it this autumn.
MMMM... SO TASTY
BMW M turns 50 this year and we’re expecting at least four new brain-out performance cars: M2, M3 Touring, M4 CSL and XM
. That last one is a 750hp SUV, combining a V8 engine with a high-performance electric motor.
Dang. It is the first standalone M model since the legendary BMW M1.
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Until then, there’s the M240i we have just tested here. I’d have one in a heartbeat.
Properly powerful. Seriously fast. Zero to 62mph in 4.3 seconds.
The steering is pin-sharp. The suspension surprisingly supple. Perfect 50:50 weight distribution. The brakes like anchors. Plus, xDrive is your friend on a greasy road.
Put all that together and the result is a car that pinballs satisfyingly from corner to corner.
From the moment you step inside, you just know the next half hour or so will be fun. Yet it also works as a long-distance cruiser.
It’s super comfy. The seats are widely adjustable. All the trim looks and feels expensive. And there’s a nice balance between screens and switches for the essentials. Just put your least favourite child in the back.
This is a special car. A niche car? Yes. But that’s deliberate. The 1 Series is designed for many more customers, giving BMW the freedom to make the 2 Series for real enthusiasts.
A small Beemer that behaves like a proper Beemer if you like.
Now I’m going to put the same old needle on the same old record and repeat once again: This might be the last dance for spicy little cars such as this.
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With the world rushing head-first towards electrification, will BMW be able to do it again in six years’ time? I doubt it.
So let’s enjoy them while we can. Over 2 you.
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Key facts
BMW M240i XDRIVE
Price: £45,795
Engine: 3-litre 6cyl turbo
Power: 374hp, 500Nm
0-62mph: 4.3secs
Top speed: 155mph
Economy: 34mpg
CO2: 199g/km
Out: Now
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