BMW M240i Drags Charger Daytona, Two Mustangs, Teaches Everyone 11-Second Lessons

BMW is one of those automakers that give fans either goosebumps or headaches. Some consider the owners of some of their SUVs to be a different kind of breed of humans (and not in a positive way). In contrast, others will tell you about the premium sporty value of the Bavarian automaker all day long. This time around, let's agree to feature something for the latter kind of enthusiasts.

So, the videographer was at Island Dragway in Great Meadows, New Jersey, for some true America versus Import skirmishes. It's true, though, that the imported vehicle didn't travel far – the second-generation BMW 2 Series Coupe is currently built in Mexico, in San Luis Potosí (BMW Group Planta San Luis Potosí), so it's a North American, too. Alas, the Charger and Ford Mustang are the veritable locals, even though you could also argue the Dodge is not exactly a true blood since it's also produced outside the US – in  Brampton, Ontario, at Brampton Assembly in Canada! Anyway, let's just say that, historically, the BMW is the outsider, and the Dodge plus Ford are the homegrown thoroughbreds.

Well, the patriots might want to prepare for a trio of disappointments. That's because the black BMW M240i (possibly the xDrive variant) is a true rascal as it features the same 3.0-liter inline-six turbo engine as the M2, M3, and M4, albeit detuned to produce 'just' 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm). However, we all know how BMW grossly underestimates the real oomph behind the hood, so the foes – a Dodge Charger and a couple of Ford Mustangs – were in for the ride of their lifetime.

The first skirmish is against a gray Dodge Charger – most likely a Daytona variant – which has a V8 grunt at its disposal. Alas, it's much larger and heavier than the lightweight M240i, plus the driver was slower off the line (5.24 versus 0.36 reaction times) and couldn't compensate for slacking with the marvelous roar of the Hemi mill. So, Mopar fans might want to look away, as it lost with flying colors: 12.6 versus 11.73s. Obviously, this BMW is a rascal that's manhandled by someone who knows what they are doing at the local quarter-mile dragstrip.

The second brawl is against a fifth-generation S197 Ford Mustang (possibly a GT), and the same thing occurs – the little BMW M240i shoots out of its lane like a dart while the larger and heavier V8 machine struggles to make up for the lost ground. It can't, so the Bavarian takes home another victory (12.16s versus 13.82s). Again, the sound of the mighty V8 is cooler music to our ears, if it's any consolation. Third and last came an S-197 II Ford Mustang to try and wipe away the Blue Oval shame from before. Alas, it was fighting yet another losing battle, and the quick M240i nailed another eleven-second pass and victory (11.99s versus 14.3s).

So, what do you think? Is the BMW 2 Series a worthy heir to the long line of 3 Series coupes now that the 4 Series has gone sky-upwards in terms of heft, dimensions, and especially the price? After all, the BMW M240i is not exactly cheap at $49,700, but the 255-hp BMW 430i Coupe with a meager 2.0-liter inline-four starts from an even higher $50,700!