BMW 2 Series Coupe M240i (A) First Drive Review

There's nothing subtle about a purple car. There are certain qualities that are immediately evoked when you see a car painted purple - sporty, boy-racer, flamboyant, a touch over the top perhaps.

It's not that surprising, then, that the new BMW 2 Series Coupe has been launched in this stark and unmissable Thundernight Metallic. What a name, eh? And if you ask me, I think it's one of the best colours that the brand has unleashed in recent years. 

But, how does the rest of the car actually stack up?

Sharp intent

The 2 Series has typically been a little rascal of a car. This one has definitively grown up. A big part of that is down to its underpinnings. This new generation model is built on the same platform that also underpins the 3 Series and 4 Series, which means that this is fundamentally a bigger car. Compared to its predecessor, it is 105mm longer and 64mm wider, the wheelbase is 51mm longer, and has wider tracks both front and rear.

Thankfully, the design helps to mask some of the extra size. The new 2 Series draws inspiration from the classic BMW 02. The influences are there is you squint closely and keep the press materials close at hand, such as the single circular head lights, but this is very much a modern-looking car. It's got crisp, sharp lines, a prominent dome on the bonnet, as well as muscular wheel arches that highlight its sporty character.

I think it looks fantastic. It's purposeful and sporty, yet at the same time exudes a sense of playfulness and youthfulness that's entirely befitting of this model.

The interior is as you'd expect from a modern BMW. You get effectively the same overall layout and equipment as you would any other BMW, such as the iDrive infotainment system, Digital Cockpit and so on. The unique touches here are the coloured inserts on the door panels, as well as some patterned surfaces that stretch from the door onto the side panels.

Because the car is bigger than before, there's a touch more space for rear passengers. However, for most intents and purposes this is a 2+2. Don’t be expecting to regularly ferry passengers very much with this car.

Keen control

Powering this M240i model is a 3.0-litre engine that's a joyful piece of kit. It makes plenty of power in creamy smooth manner, the accompanying soundtrack is delightfully playful and sporty, and there's a good amount of engagement with the powertrain.

Steering is sharp, accurate and meaningful. Through twisty roads, the car is expectedly capable and fun to drive, helped a lot by tremendous amounts of grip. There's a great sense of overall control and accuracy as you jump from apex to apex, with the chassis proving highly responsive and balanced.

However, I will admit that the car isn't as immensely fun as it could be. With xDrive, electronic nannies and the bigger overall footprint, there is a feeling that the car is a little too safe and sensible. Even if you switch everything off, it still feels very mature, grown up, and hard to upset.

You can definitely tell that this car has been built on the 3 Series platform, meaning that it feels longer. Through corners, this means that the car feels a tad less aggressive and sharp - it doesn't quite scamper around like its shorter wheelbase predecessor used to. The plus side is that at high speeds, it feels incredibly stable. Even past 200km/h, the 2 Series never feels nervous or twitchy.

As far as the overall ride is concerned, the 2 Series Coupe is on the firmer side, though it's never uncomfortable (though it might be the fact that Munich roads are incredibly smooth and well-maintained). I also enjoyed the fact that there's a greater sense of overall refinement to the car, regardless of whether you're driving it hard or not.

Coming next

The new 2 Series Coupe is a decidedly improved car. There's more quality, equipment, comfort and safety systems, but the fundamental playful nature of the car is still very much there.

I do think this xDrive model, while good, isn't quite what I want out of this car. It feels a little too sensible. I think the rear-wheel drive 220i model, even with less power, might be more fun to drive. And, the possibility of a rear-wheel drive M240i is quite real - this is a rear-wheel drive platform after all. Or else, there is always the upcoming M2 to look out for (which will be very promising, if this car is anything to go by).

The 2 Series Coupe is expected to be launched in Singapore in Q1 2022, with the 220i and M240i variants offered. While it won't be cheap (this M240i variant is estimated to cost $320k), you can be sure that you're getting a bold, exuberant and undeniably fun to drive car. One thing's for sure though. Whatever model variant you might decide to get, get it in purple. Thundernight Metallic.