BMW is also adding some of the connected technology from its 7 Series to smaller models and SUVs, including the 1, 2, 3 and 4 Series, as well as the X5 and X6 ranges. Thanks to a new turbocharged 3.0-litre straight six, power is up in both cars from 326hp to 340hp and torque climbs from 332lb ft to 368lb ft.
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BMW is refreshing its North American 2-Series range for 2017 with the new and more powerful M240i and 230i Coupes and Convertibles, while Europe and other worldwide markets are also getting the M140i hatch. The new six-cylinder in-line petrol engine in question – which develops 250 kW/340 hp, a 10 kW/14 hp increase in maximum output over its predecessor – not only optimises the sprinting power of the two cars, it also lowers their fuel consumption and Carbon dioxide emissions.
The M240i will be available with a choice of six-speed manual or eight-speed automatic transmissions.
Interestingly, this acceleration makes the all-wheel-drive M240i Coupe just as quick as the rear-wheel-drive M2 introduced for 2016.
The coupes and convertibles adopt the latest versions of the automaker’s 4- and 6-cylinder engines and in the process benefit from performance and efficiency gains. Now the 2 Series stand at 4.7 seconds (automatic: 4.5 seconds) for the BMW M240i Convertible and 4.4 seconds for the BMW M240i xDrive Convertible.
BMW says the new engine makes use of its latest TwinPower turbo technology, bringing faster throttle response with peak torque available between 1500rpm to 4500rpm.
The M240i Coupe powers from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds (automatic: 4.6 seconds) – or 4.4 seconds in all-wheel-drive guise (0-60mph in 4.2 seconds), an improvement of 0.2 seconds in both cases. And, they accelerate even faster still.
The M140i starts from £31,875, M240i Coupe from £35,090 and the M240i Convertible from £38,535.
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Manual versions of the M140i and M240i complete the sprint in 4.9 and 4.8sec respectively, while both automatic models take 4.6sec to hit the mark.
