The New BMW M240i Will Give The Old M2 Nightmares

May. 17, 2021 8:10 AM ET by Sebastian Cenizo Sports Cars / 4 Comments

BMW has confirmed power outputs and technical details of the new 2 Series Coupe.

Thanks to the BMW M2 and its limited CS counterpart, we're very interested to see if the next 2 Series can live up to the expectations of the current model. The styling of the new model is expected to be a fairly bold departure from the norm, but it's the car's performance that we're really interested in. High-speed testing began last year, but our most recent sighting of the car was on a California highway earlier in 2021, suggesting that development was almost complete. Now, BMW has confirmed that the car is almost ready and is undergoing the last few tweaks ahead of production, which is scheduled to begin later in the summer of 2021. The German automaker has also confirmed a number of details about the new RWD coupe.

BMW

Along with the news of when production will start, BMW has also told us which models we can expect first. The rear-wheel-drive 230i will launch first alongside the xDrive all-wheel-drive version of the M240i. the xDrive and rear-wheel-drive versions of the 230i and M240i respectively will follow thereafter, with more details to be released as production gets underway.

For now, we can confirm that the new model will be slightly larger but should be better to drive, thanks to increased camber at the front and better rigidity. BMW says that torsional rigidity has been increased by around 12 percent compared to the current model, while stiffer support bearings on the front axle are claimed to improve feel and wider tracks improve agility. Simultaneously, new shock absorbers will make the car more comfortable.

BMW

We can also let you know what power the M240i models will offer: the 3.0-liter turbocharged straight-six known as the B58 has been tuned to deliver 374 horsepower with 367 lb-ft of torque, which means that it will provide 19 hp more than its predecessor and just 31 horses fewer than the current M2 Competition. An eight-speed automatic will be standard, but don't expect a manual to be offered until the new M2 arrives. What you can expect is a new adaptive mode for the suspension, steering, and engine that will tailor the characteristics of each to your driving style in real time. Hopefully, these electronic aids will make this the best 2 Series yet.

BMW

The New BMW M240i Will Give The Old M2 Nightmares

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The New BMW M240i Will Give The Old M2 Nightmares

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