All Grown Up : BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Coupé First Drive [Review]

By Clifford Chow, 17 November 2021

BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Coupé First Drive Review : All Grown Up

Munich - We carry speed through our first sharp left, and then lay on the power upon exit.

We are in the state of Bavaria to take the all-new BMW 2 Series M240i Coupe through its first shakedown.

Right away, it is clear how balanced BMW’s newest and smallest coupe is.

We are on the Jochpass, in Bad Hindelang, a set of uphill twists and turns, made popular with the numerous hillclimb events hosted here over the years.

To our delight, BMW decided to use their longitudinal format ‘CLAR’ architecture when they planned the new coupe, as opposed to the very different 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is essentially a front-driven compact “sedan”.

The new 2 Series Coupe is noticeably bigger than the car than the one it replaces, and with most cars naturally growing in size, this new 2 Series Coupe actually is moderately larger than the E36 3 Series Coupe from the 90s.

The 3-litre turbocharged inline6 - a signature engine of the Bavarian brand - boasts 374hp (34hp more than the previous car), and 500Nm spread constant from 1,900rpm to 5,000rpm.

A large chunk of this is channelled to the rear wheels through a ZF-sourced 8spd auto to ensure the M240i Coupe drives like a 'proper' rear-driven car.

Interestingly, unlike the M440i Gran Coupe which we brought out to play at the same time, the M240i’s powertrain does not come with the mild hybrid drive system, that adds an 11hp boost, which is helpful in filling the gap before the turbo is able to do its best work.

Bavaria is a land of sunset hues this time of the year, and with falling temperatures hinting that winter is around the corner, I can see why this has very quickly become a choice destination for the travel-deprived back here in Singapore.

But there is no time to enjoy the scenic valley, the opposing colourful hillside textures, or even savour the fresh mountain air.

The 2 Coupe is a driver’s dream machine, and BMW has left us a goodie bag of tricks to make moments like this simply a slice of heaven.

Put the car into a bend, and the Cornering Brake Control starts working to improve on the car’s turn-in. There is simply just so much grip and control, it builds your driving confidence, turn after turn.

The suspension, while firm, delivers a ride which you can live with easily on a daily basis.

An adaptive M Suspension is available, and if my gut feel is right, this will be standard in the M240i when it is launched in Singapore during Q1 of 2022, alongside the four-cyl 220i Coupe.

I am also glad that the interior is largely carried over from the bigger 3 and 4 Series cars, which sings of quality, while the all-familiar BMW Operating System 7 offers owners arguably one of the best user experiences in the industry.

The dual-stitched bucket style leather front seats have adjustable bolsters, helping to keep you in place, though rear passengers will have to live with token legroom. After all, this is a 2+2 seater.

There is a certain maturity with the new 2 Coupe, something its distant sibling the Gran Coupe, does not bring to the table.

The “two-door” feels more serious, purposeful even… and it delivers this to you on a bold and juicy meat-filled platter, rather than with its cap-on-backwards, be it tearing up a mountain road, or when building speed on the Bavarian autobahns.

There is a rumour I heard, which may be good news for the purist… No, not a stick shift, but there might be a RWD variant on its way.

Photos Dani Heyne, Clifford Chow

BMW 2 Series M240i xDrive Coupé

Engine: 2998cc, inline6, turbocharged
Power/rpm: 374hp/5500rpm
Torque/rpm: 500Nm/1900-5000rpm
Transmission: 8spd auto
0-100km/h: 4.3secs
Top speed: 250km/h
Kerbweight: 1690kg
Fuel consumption: 8.1l/100km
CO2: 185g/km

BMW 2 Series 220i Coupé

Engine: 1998cc, inline4, turbocharged
Power/rpm: 184hp/5500rpm
Torque/rpm: 300Nm/1350-4000rpm
Transmission: 8spd auto
0-100km/h: 7.5secs
Top speed: 250km/h
Kerbweight: 1490kg
Fuel consumption: 6.3l/100km
CO2: 144g/km

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