RE: BMW confirms new 374hp M240i flagship

RE: BMW confirms new 374hp M240i flagship

Wednesday 7th July 2021

BMW confirms new 374hp M240i flagship

The all-new 2 Series has arrived ahead of its Goodwood debut



Has BMW launched a more likeable model in the last decade than the 2 Series? Granted, the manufacturer slightly ruined its two-door rep with the tacked-on awfulness of the Active Tourer compact MPV, and the four-door Gran Coupe is desperately tepid. But at its core, the range has been all about enlivening people's lives with a wonderfully compact, coupe-shaped BMW. And who doesn't love them?

The unveiling of a new version, then, is to be celebrated, especially when the announcement confirms that the model continues with a six-cylinder engine in the shape of the heavily previewed M240i xDrive. As expected, this produces 374hp from its turbocharged 3.0-litre unit, a 34hp upgrade on its predecessor, and is punchy enough to send the coupe to 62mph in just 4.3 seconds via an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

But you likely knew that already. What's prominent here is the new look, revealed for the first time. And in Cadbury Easter egg purple (possibly not the official designation) it's quite a lot to take in. Our initial assessment is that BMW might have overplayed its hand with the M-specific front end, and then underplayed it at the droopy rear. Its proportions remain pleasing though, even with a 51mm extension of the wheelbase.



The new 2 Series is wider, too, with the M240i said to be 63mm and 35mm broader at the front and rear track respectively. Once again, BMW claims a near 50:50 weight distribution for the model, as well as a 'noticeable' rear-wheel bias for the exclusively xDrive flagship. An electronically controlled M Sport differential is standard for the back axle, although the adaptive M suspension you'll probably want is still on the option list.

Inside, the model is treated to the architecture already made familiar by the latest 3 Series, which generally follows BMW's driver-focused approach. Expect the usual premium mix of materials alongside uprated tech thanks to the standard-fit BMW Operating System 7. The firm's impressive head-up display system makes its first appearance in the 2 Series as a cost-option.

Elsewhere in the range you get a choice of the 184hp 2.0-litre four-pot powering the entry-level 220i or the same-size 190hp diesel unit chugging away in the 220d. They are from £34,980 and £36,900, respectively. But it's the Easter egg we're interested in, and that will set you back £45,795 before options. Tall money when a 300hp Porsche Cayman starts at £45,230 - but BMW will be betting (again) that a brace of additional cylinders makes all the difference.











Author
Discussion

Ray_Aber

Original Poster:

643 posts

291 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
I LOVE that colour!

Better looking than the M4. More conpact. Less heavy.

A tempting next ca….oh, just seen the Lotis….

ajprice

30,741 posts

211 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Congratulations BMW, on not ruining a car with a grille.

Actus Reus

4,288 posts

170 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
You spend all evening looking at the Emira and then this pops up. Ugly as sin.

salmanorguk

242 posts

107 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
The colours brilliant. The styling is vile.

It's almost admirable how they've lost the art of good design and instead gone for shock value and brashness with this generation of cars.

And you know the rest of the range will be rubbish when they only trot out the top-of-the-range-with-all-the-extras at the reveal.

av185

20,464 posts

142 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Awkward rear pillar and rear end styling means a left swipe.

thebraketester

15,017 posts

153 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
ajprice said:
Congratulations BMW, on not ruining a car with a grille.
I wouldn’t say that… looks like they have had a fair crack at it again. Very very fussy front bumper.

fantheman80

1,969 posts

64 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Hmm, side profile looks a bit awkward, large rear overhang, flat long bonnet and nose, prefer the current shape. But the arches already are wide, M2 version should be naughty. Grill might be better than m4 but feck me a lot going on under it

Edited by fantheman80 on Tuesday 6th July 23:26

dunnoreally

1,288 posts

123 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Wouldn't have it in purple, but apart from that it's looking just excellent to me.

5lab

1,740 posts

211 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
So with this getting bigger and bigger are they going to have to release a 0-series next time round to fill the gap left by the e-series 3 series coupes of old?

Sport220

1,203 posts

90 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Love the colour. Car looks ste

xDrive only like the M340i? What the

gruntmonster

186 posts

232 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Sorry BMW but regarding latest new car reveals lotus has just p1ssed on your chips

KGP04

33 posts

70 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Been testing this for the last month! Good to finally see it without camo.

That bonnet bulge im surprised has made it onto the smaller engined cars, although this 240i bumper looks much better than the normal 220 bumper.

DanielSan

19,461 posts

182 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
I honestly think they'd finally un-fked the front end design of at least one of their cars, they then do the arse end like that!

MitchT

16,734 posts

224 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Didn't think anyone could make anything that would make the new 4 Series look pretty, yet BMW themselves appear to have managed!

Mr Tidy

26,796 posts

142 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Love the colour, not such a fan of the looks!

Looks like it's 4WD and DCT with no other choices - shame. frown

Cupramax

10,781 posts

267 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
I saw an M2 going the other way earlier and thought what a muscular good looking car it was, this, however is gopping. BMW styling department is on some funny st currently.

skylarking808

933 posts

101 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
Reminds me of 1990's 3 series in "techno violet" mmm


Sport220

1,203 posts

90 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
1765 kg EU weight. What a joke

llcoolmac

246 posts

115 months

Tuesday 6th July 2021
quotequote all
That rear end is one of the worst looking things I've ever seen. If that design was in the back of an old Kia or Daewoo people would quite rightly say its a brutally ugly car.

BMW are horrific looking cars nowadays.

E46Will

66 posts

114 months

Wednesday 7th July 2021
quotequote all
No mention of a 3 pedal version ..