The BMW M240i is a little outgun at the moment. While this is an incredibly impressive car, its price range is much faster than you might expect from a small coupe, its competitors have a more powerful, faster version. The M240i is similar to cars like the Audi S3 and the Mercedes-AMG A35 (or CLA35), but these two cars have Panchia siblings like the Audi RS3 and the Mercedes-AMG A45, respectively. The full-on BMW M2 is coming but, until then, the M240i is taking away whatever is stuck.
In this new video from Carwow, we get to see the BMW M240i drag race, both the RS3 and the AMG A45 mentioned above, to see if it’s more powerful, but more expensive, to be able to compete.
From the start, the BMW M240i is over. Its 3.0-liter turbocharged “B58” inline-six, which can be brilliant, produces only 382 horsepower (374 horsepower in the UK) and 369 pound-feet of torque. The Audi RS3’s 2.5-liter turbocharged five-cylinder produces 400 horsepower and 369 pound-feet. AMG apparently knows how to generate power because its 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder produces 421 horsepower and 369 pound-feet.
All three cars use some kind of automatic gearbox; ZF eight-speed auto for Beamer, seven-speed dual-clutch for Audi and eight-speed dual-clutch for AMG. All three cars are all-wheel drive.
However, BMW has another disadvantage – weight. It weighs 1,690 kg (3,725 lb), which is too much for such a small car. The Mercedes-AMG is a touch heavy, 1,695 kg (3,736 lb) but has about 50 horsepower and a Snapier dual-clutch for it. Although the Audi is the lightest, 1,575 kg (3,472 lb). So which car will be the fastest in the drag race; The most powerful AMG, the lightest Audi RS3, or the biggest engine BMW M240i?
It’s much closer and more interesting than you might think. On paper, M240i should be crushed but it just won’t happen. Look at this.