THE M240i xDrive is the performance flagship of the new, roomier 2 Series Coupe range boasting turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder power and prodigious all-wheel drive grip shoehorned into a striking two-door body.
Priced from $89,900 plus on-road costs, the M240i xDrive rides on BMW’s rear-drive CLAR underpinnings (shared with the 3 and 4 Series) to provide a larger and stiffer body than was offered previously and boasts a stance that is both lower and wider than before.
The additional proportions are evident both outside and in, the cabin a near mirror image of the larger 4 Series and with even more technology.
Standard kit includes 19-inch alloys, active cruise control with traffic jam function, adaptive suspension, Apple CarPlay and Android Auto connectivity, auto parking assist, BMW’s Live Cockpit Professional with 12.3-inch driver’s screen and a 10.25-inch infotainment array, DAB+ digital radio reception, digital key, electric seat adjustment with front seat heaters and memory, head-up display, a glass sunroof, and a 14-speaker Harman/Kardon premium audio system.
Optionally, the M240i xDrive is available with high-performance brakes, aerodynamic accoutrements, and metallic paint alongside cleverly bundled packages to suit the tastes of more exacting buyers.
BMW says the Mexican-made M240i xDrive offers 50:50 front-to-rear weight distribution courtesy (in part) of an aluminium bonnet and front fenders. It also offers a widened wheel track over its derivative counterpart, some 63mm broader at the front and 35mm wider at the rear.
With 48-volt mild hybrid assistance and 285kW and 500Nm on tap – matching that of the M440i – the M240i xDrive can hit 100km/h in just 4.3 seconds, making it just as fast as the original M2.
