The all-new BMW 2 Series has just been introduced into the South African market. Double Apex was invited to the national ride and drive event in the Western Cape. We sent regular contributor Kyle Kock to drive the range.

BMW’s legions of brand enthusiasts will not need to be introduced to the heritage that was handed over to the 2 Series Coupé models. Newer motorists will trace the 2’s lineage back a decade or so, which is when the Bavarian brand introduced new nomenclature. But the truth is that BMW’s six-cylinder compact coupes have a long history of keeping South Africans enthralled.

While it’s true that BMW’s made legendary coupes of all sizes (special mentions go to the 3,0 CSL and 2002 turbo), here in Mzansi the game really changed when BMW shoehorned the six-cylinder engine from a 7 Series into the tiny E30 and the 333i was born.

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The 2 Series Coupé lineup introduced to the South African market is a simple affair. Consisting of two “entry-level” models in the petrol-engined 220i and a diesel offering in the 220d. We spent a significant amount of time in the range-topping M240i xDrive for this impression.

While the entire 2 Series Coupé range stays true to the proportional aesthetics that have been a hallmark of these small two-door models (long bonnet, short overhangs, short boot, and cabin positioned toward the rear axle), that aspect is especially evident in the M240i.

Whereas the 220i and 220d feature track widths that are beefier than their predecessor, 1 575 mm upfront and 1 587 at the rear, the M240i appears even more muscular with track widths 1 584 mm upfront and 1 591 at the rear. All three models squat lower than the previous 2 Series, with a 28 mm lower ride height.

What simply cannot be ignored is the turbocharged six-cylinder engine that powers the 240i xDrive. It makes 285 kW (a 35 kW increase over the model it replaces) and 500 Nm of torque. Those figures resemble that of the V8-engined E39 generation M5. But in a package that’s lighter and a lot easier to wield.

What it’s like on the road

On the local launch route, on B-roads between Cape Town, Hermanus and Paternoster, I was especially impressed with three aspects, the engine’s noise and flexibility, the M240i ‘s handling and NVH.

It’s been many years since normally aspirated six-cylinder engines were used in high-performance BMWs. I dare say that they’ve been getting better at the turbocharged versions – with a noise that at least curls up the corners of your mouth into a smile. It’s never going to match the pure induction noise of the NA motors of yore. Yet, there’s enough to let you and those you’re passing know what’s up.

Teenage boys encouraged us to put foot leaving the confines of one particular town. And to that the resultant noise and snap, crack and pop from the fat exhaust pipes made them dance on the curbside.

Easy to drive slowly, and fast

It’s a simple affair to extract what the M240i’s capable of just leaving the eight-speed automatic to its own devices. In comfort mode, the drivetrain is obviously mapped to be somewhat more demure in terms of delivery. However, that doesn’t mean the surroundings rush by at any less of a blur.

Sport mode hangs onto the revs lustily and responds with snappy shifts when you do pull on the steering wheel-mounted paddles. Despite the performance potential (a zero to 100 km/h sprint in just 4,3 seconds), BMW claims combined fuel consumption of just 8,0 L/100 km.

This is the first compact BMW I experienced that features an all-wheel drive. I was honestly thankful when I got behind the wheel because the morning’s driving started off in the wet thanks to overnight rain. Initially, you can’t even tell that this is the case, as there’s a significant enough rear bias to make the tail end snap out on you when you’re liberal with the throttle around corners. This will have to be explored in a more extensive test…

The cabin is familiar with BMW fare, with an extensive suite of connectivity apps and gadgets that will have those who are more tech-savvy than I am salivating. But for me, the fact that in the M240i I could hold a fat rimmed steering wheel with that desirable M logo was a simple pleasure. And despite the enthusiastic driving and less-than-ideal road surfaces, the cabin was free of unpleasant noise from the road, tyres and wind.

Verdict on the 2 Series

I don’t doubt that BMW will sell plenty of the 220i and 220d variants. They’ve  adjusted pricing to include many options that South Africans would normally tick off as standard according to their market research and historic buying from consumers.

But at just over a bar for the range-topper, those who can afford the M240i xDrive will get to experience legitimate M credentials at little over what the “base” model cost. I like it a lot.

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BMW 2 Series Pricing

220i Coupé – R771 900
220d Coupé – R819 278
M240i xDrive – R1 062 420