ROAD TEST: BMW M240i Convertible

I am not exactly sure when the phrase “pocket rocket” first made its appearance, but I am sure it was used to death in the ’90s with the arrival of some seriously fast hot hatches onto our streets.

One drive in BMW’s M240i Convertible you will know I am not being nostalgic, but quite honest.

The pocket part is because the 2 Series Convertible is a compact premium offering in every sense of the word, and the rocket part is because the new 240i engine that replaces the 235i engine, now delivers a full 500Nm of torque from as low as 1 500rpm all the way to 4 500rpm, along with 250kW of power at 5500rpm.

This new engine has an aluminium crankcase and cylinder head, and the refinement that is likewise a hallmark of BMW six-cylinder in-line engines has been elevated to another level still thanks to new, near-source acoustic shielding.

The TwinScroll turbocharger integrated into the cast-steel exhaust manifold is extremely efficient – on account of its compact construction and the presence of an indirect intercooler.

Helping to minimise emissions, meanwhile, are electric wastegate control and the close-coupled arrangement of the catalytic converter. The latest generation of valvetronic fully variable valve control provides particularly precise load control, enhancing the engine’s responsiveness and efficiency.

And rounding off the latest update of M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology is Double-Vanos variable camshaft timing on both the intake and exhaust sides.

Also doing their bit to seal the exceptionally fine balance between driving pleasure and fuel consumption are a coolant pump that operates only as necessary, a map-controlled oil pump, electric power steering, the auto-start stop function, brake energy regeneration and various other solutions all developed under the banner of BMW EfficientDynamics.

And this ensures an average fuel consumption of under 10.0 litres per 100km can easily be achieved when you are in the mood for taking it easy.

But that’s not what really interests you. How fast is the M240i? Otherwise you would look at the 220i.

And it is proper fast, I can tell you, that if you make use of the launch control function offered with the optional eight-speed sports automatic transmission you will get to 100km/h in under five seconds, get to the quarter mile in 13.24 seconds, and go through the 1km mark at 224km/h and only stopping at 251km/h thanks to the electronic speed limiter. And you can do this with the top down if you so wish to punish yourself.

But you wouldn’t do this, you would leave the electrically operated top up for when you want to do hardcore motoring, and then simply drop it when the weather is good. And just like their further up graded powertrain technology, the model-specific equipment of a BMW M Performance car is also about driving experience.

Standard specification includes M Sport suspension lowered by 10mm, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in exclusive double-spoke design, an M Sport braking system, variable sports steering with Servotronic function, a model-specific M aerodynamic package and exterior mirror caps in Ferric Grey metallic.

And on the inside you get cloth Alcantara sports seats with blue contrast stitching.

The bottom line is, if you have the money and want one seriously fast and dynamic package, then the M240i Convertible at R770 200 could just be the car for you.

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