BMW M240i gets surprise reveal
specially invited BMW aficionados were on hand for the surprise unveiling of the 2019 BMW M240i at ATL Autobahn’s state-of-the-art showroom on Lady Musgrave Road in St Andrew last Friday. The vehicle is one of two on the island.
ATL Autobahn is the division of ATL Automotive responsible for the BMW and MINI brands.
“We have BMW, which is the traditional brand. We have BMWi which is the electric brand, and we have BMW M, on the other end, which is our performance brand. On the inside of those, we have iPerformance which is plug-in hybrids and M Performance. Now M Performance is for the customers who have moved away from the traditional BMWs and want the power that you would get from a M, but don’t want to give up everyday convenience,” Sloane Jackson, head of business for ATL Autobahn, told the Jamaica Observer’s weekly Auto magazine.
The M240i sits between the regular 2 series two-door coupe sports car and the hardcore M2. It shares the best of both to meet the target of blending the two models staring with its engine. The M240i uses the three-litre TwinPower Turbo inline six-cylinder of the M2 in slightly less tune making 340bhp and 369lb/ft of torque. This allows the M240i to hit 60mph in 4.3 seconds on its way to a quarter-mile time of 12.7 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Where it parts company with its faster brother is in the transmission department. The M2 is available with either a faster shifting seven-speed dual-clutch or six-speed manual. To be more comfortable and refined, the M240i uses an eight-speed automatic transmission. The suspension itself has been tuned to handle the extra power.
Outside, only the badges give away that there is anything much to the M240i over the regular 2-series. Gone are the M2’s widened rear fenders.
Inside, the theme of subtlety and comfort continues with the expected features and luxury expected of a BMW, several of which are not available on the M2.
“This car is aimed at executive, lovers of sporty coupes and those seeking a second car for fun. We have also found that many female buyers are interested,” Jackson said.
The BMW M240i starts at just under $10 million.
