With its turbocharged inline-six sending 321 horsepower via a six-speed manual to the rear wheels, the BMW M235i is, according to the crew at XCAR, a car where everything just clicks into place nearly perfectly. BMW managed to get everything right with the M235i, from styling and handling to performance. Yes, this is the closest thing you can buy today that carries on the torch of the 1 Series M Coupe, itself a spiritual successor to the famed E30 M3.

Although the M235i isn't a true M car, it's still a damn fine ride. And that begs the question: is there even a need for an M2? Enthusiasts will of course answer "yes" to that, but BMW may have a hard time making the business case for the car. The M235i is that good.