2022 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe

Could the new BMW M240i xDrive be the spirit animal of the late and lamented BMW 2002 coupe? Everyone who thinks they’re in the know considers it so. But what if it’s better? Then what? Hmmm. Napleton News recently borrowed one to find out. Here’s what we thought.

What is the BMW M240i xDrive Coupe?

It’s the smallest premium offering from the propeller heads in Bavaria. The new BMW 2 Series is offered as a Coupe or as the larger four-door Gran Coupe. The latter utilizes the same platform as the BMW X1 Crossover and the Mini Countryman. In this case, though, we think it looks better! We had a chance to try the two-door coupe M240i xDrive variant that features BMW’s all-wheel drive. It’s not an M2, but it gets damn close.

The heartbeat under the hood of this hot coupe is that of a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-6. In this state of tune, it delivers 382 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 369 lb-ft of torque at 1,800 rpm. That’s oodles of power for a car this size and an increase of 47 horsepower over the outgoing model.

The engine mates to an 8-speed automatic transmission. It then delivers torque to all four wheels using the BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system. It’s a rear-biased system pushing most of the power to the rear tires but can divert up to 50 percent of the engine torque towards the front end. To establish its street cred, the BMW M240i xDrive Coupe rides on an adaptive M suspension kit that varies according to road conditions.

How does the M240i look?

Funky flared fenders, front and rear, air curtains to curtail tire turbulence and futuristic LED lighting are all here. So, too, are the side skirts that are part of the Shadowline Trim package. It’s a subtle look, with mildly radical vents, a not too excessive spoiler and other features that enhance the already good lines of the M240i.

The kidney bean nostrils do their part to remain unobtrusive, unlike some larger 3, 4 and 7 series BMW vehicles. It also includes moveable shutters that open or close as needed to cool or warm the 3.0-liter engine.

Taking a look inside.

The interior is typically upscale BMW, as we have grown accustomed to. The Tacora Red Vernasca leather provides a lovely accent to the black dashboard and other trim located throughout the cabin. The head-up display is here as part of the Premium Package, including Live Cockpit Pro and a heated steering wheel. Sure, it’s useless in Florida, but hey, they don’t call this the Ultimate Driving Machine for nothing.

The coupe features a new longer wheelbase than the last-gen 2 series coupe, but don’t think you can stretch out in the rear seat. That’s not happening, at least in the M240i. The BMW iDrive v 7.0 is here, too. We didn’t think it would last this long, but it’s the seventh version, and here we are!

The front seats offered perfect support for a quick lap at Watkins Glen or a cross-country trip on your next driving vacation. Coupled with the stellar Harman Kardon audio system, you may never get out of the car.

Behind the (heated) wheel of the BMW M240i xDrive

Getting behind the wheel of the M240i is at once thrilling and filled with anticipation. In Comfort mode, the 8-speed gearbox wants to make a quick run as it jumps to the top cog. The reason is fuel economy.

Put it back in Sport mode, though and that’s where this coupe starts to sing. Stand on the accelerator for a quick launch that steps through the cogs rapidly. It’s one of the reasons BMW does not offer a manual transmission here. As you step through the gears, the engine produces a throaty rasp that is both exhilarating and satisfying.

Whip into a turn to feel BMW’s Performance Control. It’s their version of what is commonly known as torque vectoring. Grip from the xDrive all-wheel drive is immense, allowing you to perform proper corner-cutting on your favorite twisties. We won’t tell you ours, but suffice it to say it took about an hour and a half to wipe that smirk off our faces. You say toe-may-toe; I say toe-mah-toe. What’s the diff! In the process, you’ll hear the engine grunt as it goes through its rev-matching protocols. It’s one of the most satisfying sounds to ever come from a vehicle.

In this case, it could be yours.

2022 BMW M240i xDrive Coupe