FORECOURT
BMW M240i Under the bonnet
The Bimmer boasts an in-line six-cylinder that pumps out 369bhp and 500Nm of torque.
THE KNOWLEDGE BMW M240i xDrive Price: £45,795 Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder petrol Power: 369bhp Torque: 500Nm Max speed: 155mph O-60mph: 4.1 seconds MPG (combined): 32.1-34.8 Emissions: 185-200g/km CO2
The old BMW M240i was great fun to drive but without the running costs and compromise of an M2. Is the new one just as good? Darren Cassey finds out. WHAT IS IT? It’s not often that a car comes along without too many direct rivals, but the BMW 2 Series is one such vehicle. It’s become an essential part of the BMW line-up, offering driving enthusiasts a small, stylish coupe that’s great to drive, and a new model has come along. WHAT’S NEW? There’s been a pretty comprehensive redesign on the outside. It’s not just aesthetic either, with improved aerodynamics reducing lift by 50 per cent. It’s also a good chunk bigger than its predecessor, with an updated interior that has more kit. There are also mechanical upgrades that make this more fun to drive, such as the M Sport differential as standard. WHAT’S UNDER THE BONNET? The entry-level 220i M Sport model comes with a 181bhp petrol engine that powers the rear wheels, providing a 0-60mph time of 7.3 seconds. It returns up to 44.1mpg, with CO2 emissions of up to 149g/km. The M240i we’re testing today, though, has an in-line sixcylinder engine that makes 369bhp, feeding all four wheels through a rear-biased system. WHAT’S IT LIKE TO DRIVE? The engine has an impressively aggressive tone and fantastic pace. The steering is light and fairly uncommunicative, but there’s plenty of grip to be found with a keen turn-in. Once you get confidence in its abilities, it’s easy to carry impressive speed along a curvy B-road, despite the fact that it’s also capable of being a comfortable car for daily driving duties. HOW DOES IT LOOK? BMW has been ruffling a few feathers with its styling in recent years. While I don’t get the hate the 4 Series front grille has been subjected to, I must say the new 2 Series’ rear end is what you’d politely call ‘challenging’. There are some appealing creases in the metalwork but the lights are pulled too far to the edges, giving it awkward proportions. It’s a shame, because the front looks great, particularly in M240i form with its wide, narrow grille, large triangular air intakes and circular headlights designed in homage to the classic 2002 model. WHAT’S IT LIKE INSIDE? There can be few complaints here. The driving position is excellent, sitting fairly low but
76 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
