The arrival of the first-generation BMW 1 Series nearly 20 years ago caused shock – and for some, even outrage – among brand purists. It was labelled “not a real BMW”, and the controversial design language of Chris Bangle only added fuel to the fire.
The introduction of the coupé version softened the mood. Gradually, people began referring to it as a spiritual successor to the legendary BMW 3 Series E30 – especially after the arrival of the limited BMW 1 Series M Coupé.
In 2014, the small coupé received its successor. In line with the times, BMW expanded its portfolio and repositioned it as the BMW 2 Series – a new model family that still shared its underpinnings with the 1 Series.
Fast forward to today. The current BMW 1 Series is even more shocking for die-hard fans, thanks to front-wheel drive and the absence of a six-cylinder engine. Fortunately, the 2 Series Coupé no longer shares its architecture. In fact, the smallest BMW with classic rear-wheel-drive proportions is now technically closer to the BMW 4 Series.
And yes – it still offers a proper six-cylinder engine.
Design
The “Two” is a classic coupé – long bonnet, short rear deck. Two things stand out immediately. First, the shape of the kidney grilles has not been influenced by the oversized treatment seen on the BMW M3, BMW M4 or the 4 Series. Second, the headlights and rear lights look unlike anything else in BMW’s current line-up.
If you ask me, they almost look as if they belong to another brand altogether. BMW claims the headlight design references classics like the BMW 2002. Perhaps my imagination is not vivid enough.
My initial opinion of the design was mixed. In a world full of bulky SUVs, I welcome every sporty, two-door, unapologetically impractical coupé. Yet certain details – especially the lights – did not immediately win me over.
That changed rather quickly. A few days before the test, I spotted a purple 2 Series parked on a street in Sofia. It was not even an M240i. Low, wide, with flared arches that made it look closer to an BMW M2 than a humble 220i, it immediately grabbed my attention.
The test car confirmed that impression. Finished in Brooklyn Grey, the light metallic shade highlights every line and contour. Suddenly, I stopped caring about the “unusual” headlights. The proportions, the pronounced bonnet, the vertical grille and the wide rear arches give the car a muscular stance. At the same time, clever details such as gloss-black side skirts add a sense of elegance and lightness, reminding me of classic sports coupés from 40 years ago.
Interior
Inside, there are no real surprises. This is classic BMW architecture and… wait a moment. The entire dashboard and centre console look as if they have been taken straight from the larger and more expensive 4 Series.
As expected from the brand, build quality is excellent and materials are pleasing to the touch. Ergonomics are outstanding, with numerous physical buttons and shortcuts. And something truly impressive in 2022 – brightness adjustment for the displays via a simple rotary knob. Quick, intuitive and effective, without diving into endless submenus.
Interestingly, this is also the first time we see a head-up display in the 2 Series. The infotainment system offers extensive connectivity and online services, but what matters most to me is the flawlessly working wireless Apple CarPlay. Combined with the large central screen and the Harman Kardon sound system, it allows me to stream playlists from my phone while keeping an eye on Waze.
In terms of personalisation, the 2 Series offers a wide range. Beyond the standard black cloth upholstery, there are multiple artificial and natural leather options. The M package adds leather and Alcantara sports seats, and the choice of trim elements is generous.
The front seats are sporty, with integrated headrests, and provide excellent lateral support. Sitting in the driver’s seat, one inevitably starts wondering: with everything offered here, why would anyone need a 4 Series?
One possible answer appears quickly – rear space. Unlike the 4 Series, the rear seats here are suitable only for short to medium journeys, and only if the front occupants are willing to slide their seats forward. Legroom is limited and the overall feeling is rather claustrophobic. As expected, the 2 Series is a car for individualists or couples who rarely carry passengers in the back. For two people, however, it is perfectly practical, with a 390-litre boot.
It is worth mentioning that BMW has since updated the interior of the 2 Series. The changes focus mainly on increased digitalisation, with two large displays replacing the traditional layout and more capacitive surfaces introduced. The good news? The centre console still retains physical shortcut buttons and the rotary iDrive controller… for now.
On the road
I return to the garage of BMW Bulgaria, where the grey coupé was waiting for me – in flagship BMW M240i xDrive Coupé specification.
Under the bonnet sits a 3.0-litre inline six-cylinder engine producing 374 hp and 500 Nm of torque. Interestingly, unlike the BMW M440i xDrive Coupé, there is no 48V mild hybrid system here. The gearbox is an eight-speed automatic and power goes to all four wheels via xDrive.
All torque can be directed to the rear axle, but when traction is lost it is automatically distributed to the front wheels. In other words, there is no dedicated rear-wheel-drive mode in this version. The car accelerates from 0–100 km/h in just 4.3 seconds, while combined fuel consumption is rated at 8.1–8.8 l/100 km. The M240i also comes as standard with an M Sport differential with locking function.
Finally, I pressed the start button. The straight-six filled the space with a deep, balanced growl. BMW has invested considerable effort in efficiency technologies, so I selected Eco mode and set off through Sofia’s streets.
Very quickly, I began drawing comparisons with the larger 4 Series again, because the level of comfort is remarkably similar. Despite its sporting nature, the small coupé is refined and capable of dealing with poor urban surfaces surprisingly well. I genuinely believe this car can serve as a daily driver. Its dimensions are compact enough, Eco mode keeps throttle response calm and the car does not constantly tempt you into mischief. Driver assistance systems, especially the parking assistant, work quickly and accurately.
Of course, for me the M240i is not a city car. Personally, I prefer trams, bicycles or simply walking. This BMW belongs somewhere else – on a road where driving itself is the main event. A road with corners, long straights, beautiful scenery and minimal traffic.
So I left Sofia and headed towards Sapareva Banya, taking the road between Vitosha and Plana. I started in Comfort mode, where the car feels almost like a refined GT. For long-distance travel, it is an excellent companion. Honestly, I would happily point it towards the Alps.
In my case, however, the destination was Rila. Once I passed the last village, my finger moved instinctively to the driving mode buttons. Sport+ was selected – and the character changed dramatically. The calm daily coupé transformed into something far more intense.
The previously muted throttle response in Eco mode was gone. In Sport+, every movement of the right foot produces an immediate reaction. The engine delivers strong torque from low revs and pulls relentlessly. Steering is precise and quick enough for confident corrections.
Despite its compact appearance, the M240i xDrive weighs 1,690 kg – 150 kg more than its predecessor. This is largely due to the fact that the new model is based on the 3 and 4 Series architecture. Even so, it is around 50 kg lighter than the M440i xDrive Coupé. In my view, those 50 kg, combined with a 10 cm shorter wheelbase, make the “Two” noticeably more engaging than its bigger sibling.
When pushing harder through corners, I must admit the car can feel slightly intimidating at times. The intervention of xDrive under traction loss occasionally leads to behaviour that is not entirely intuitive. For those seeking a purer experience, BMW now offers the M240i with rear-wheel drive only, and that version is approximately €2,000 (converted from 4,000 BGN) less expensive than the xDrive model.
Soon enough, I reached Sapareva Banya, where I conducted several acceleration measurements. The best results were 0–100 km/h in 4.12 seconds and 0–200 km/h in 16.12 seconds. Impressive figures.
For me, the car is tremendously entertaining. What I do miss, however, is a bit more drama from the exhaust system. Regardless of the driving mode, there are no crackles or theatrical outbursts – only a muted growl and a noticeable amount of synthesised sound through the speakers.
There is no escaping modern regulations. Emissions standards leave little room for theatrics.
Conclusion
The BMW M240i xDrive Coupé is a brilliant sports coupé that offers both comfortable long-distance travel and serious entertainment on the road – or even on track. The level of performance delivered by this version, combined with its muscular design, inevitably raises the question: does the M240i make the future BMW M2 somewhat redundant? At the same time, the high level of comfort and the refined overall behaviour of the “Two” make me wonder who truly needs a BMW 4 Series. In short, I am genuinely impressed by this car.
If I have to point out drawbacks, they would be the limited rear-seat space, the somewhat subdued exhaust note and the fuel consumption. It is excellent relative to the performance on offer, but slightly higher than that of the BMW M440i xDrive Coupé, which benefits from a 48V mild hybrid system with a starter-generator.
As for the engine line-up on our market, the entry-level version is the 218i, powered by a 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing 156 hp, priced from approximately €36,500 (converted from 71,600 BGN). Above it sit the 220i with 184 hp and the 230i with 245 hp – both two-litre four-cylinder units. Interestingly, a diesel 220d is also available.
At the top of the range stands the M240i, offered either with rear-wheel drive or, as tested here, with xDrive all-wheel drive. Pricing for the M240i xDrive starts at approximately €55,800 (converted from 109,300 BGN).
eng. Tsvetan Iliev
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