The 2 Series->ke2065 has been around since 2014, replacing the 1 Series->ke313 coupe->ke141 and convertible->ke144 here in the U.S. After just a few short years on the market, a facelift should be coming for the 2017 model year. At first, we only had speculation derived from a leak on Bimmerpost.com, but now BMW->ke178 has spilled a few of the beans, telling us a little about the upcoming facelift. We still don’t know any details regarding what the facelift brings in terms of aesthetic qualities, but we do know that the facelifted 2 Series will get an upgrade in the power department, so it certainly has that going for it.

For now, the best we can do is guess on what other changes are coming to the 2 Series. We know that the M235i will now be the M240i, and we’re expecting to see some new infotainment technology->ke1701 and a slightly revised exterior. Until Bimmer spills the rest of the beans on the M240i, let’s go ahead and talk about the upgrade in power and other changes. According to BMW’s most recent press releases, the M240i should break cover in July, so let’s get to speculating before BMW pulls the sheet of the facelifted M240i convertible.

Update 6/24/2016: BMW has announced pricing information for the M240i convertible. Check the prices section below for details.

Continue reading to learn more about the BMW M240i Convertible.

2017 BMW M240i Convertible

Specifications
  • Make: Array
  • Model: 2017 BMW M240i Convertible
  • Engine/Motor: inline-6
  • Horsepower: 340
  • Torque: 369
  • [do not use] Vehicle Model: Array
Pros
Cons

Exterior

For the most part, we expect the M240i convertible to look a lot like the M235i that it is replacing and, as always, the convertible should be identical to the coupe below that sexy waistline. As always, the M240i will have BMW’s signature kidney bean grille, along with that aggressive air dam and the corner air inlets. The side body lines will likely remain the same as will most of the rear end. Expected changes include slightly reshaped headlights and taillights, and the front and rear fascias may also get a little attention too. If anything happens on the side, BMW may tweak the side skirts a little to give them more character.

Keep in mind that that 2017 model will only be a facelift, so if you’re expecting some dramatic changes anywhere outside, you’re going to be disappointed. But, the 2 Series as a whole already looks good, so BMW will hold off on major changes until it ushers in the second generation. Of course, the M240i convertible should sit lower by a half inch thanks to the M Sport suspension, and it will ride on 18-inch M light-alloy wheels with an exclusive double-spoke design. The Model-specific M aerodynamic package should also include the Ferric Grey mirror caps.

BMW has been known to surprise us before, so there may be other things in the works too. That said, stay tuned for updates when the M240i makes its official debut next month.

Interior

As far as interior upgrades go, don’t expect too much. Of course, it will have the three-spoke M-branded steering wheel and the brushed metal foot pad. Sport pedals will be a factory option. You’ll probably find brushed metal inserts used on the door pull handles, the trim inserts on the steering wheel spokes, the trim on the center console, and the face of the dash. Wood and carbon fiber inserts should remain available as options if you’re not into the “cold” look of brushed metal. As far as materials go, the press release from Bimmer points to cloth/Alcantara sports seats with blue contrast stitching, with the same stitching used to hold together the leather that is wrapped around the steering wheel.

Of course, the M240i will have the infotainment screen perched on top of the center stack. We expect the screen size to remain the same, but we expect the car to come equipped with a Wi-Fi hotspot, along with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto integration. Inductive phone charging is also on the table as a possible upgrade for Bimmer’s little Convertible. Obviously, these technology upgrades aren’t revolutionary in any sense, but it will bring the M240i up to par with other offerings on the market and keep things fresh until the next-gen model makes its debut.

Drivetrain

And here we are walking through a nasty, steamy pile of beans that BMW spilled all over the floor of the drivetrain department. The current M235i is powered by a 3.0-liter, turbocharged, straight six that was capable of delivering 322 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. With direct injection and variable valve lift, this power was enough to send the M235i to the 60-mph benchmark in 4.6 seconds. The M240i, however, will come with an all-new engine that promises more power and better performance.

Stashed away under that muscular hood, will sit BMW’s new B58 engine. It’s still a 3.0-liter, but the cylinders are just a hair larger than that of the N55 engine, plus the turbocharger has grown a little as well. The new B58 engine is said to deliver 340 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. The maximum torque is available as early as 1,500 rpm, while maximum horsepower comes into play at 5,500 rpm. This new engine stands for a power increase of 18 horsepower and a torque increase of 37 pound-feet. Remember back in April when M2 Chief Engineer, Frank Isenberg, said that if you wanted an M2 convertible to settle for an M235i? Well, this new power increase that comes with the M240i brings the convertible within 25 horsepower of the M2 and actually surpasses the M2’s torque rating by 26 pound-feet!

As far as the rest of the drivetrain, we expect the car to come standard with a six-speed manual and optional with an eight-speed automatic. The eight-speed will include paddle shifters behind that M Sport steering wheel. All told, the M240i should be able to hit the 62-mph sprint in 4.9 seconds with the six-speed or 4.7 seconds with the automatic – an improvement of 0.2-seconds over the M235i. The new engine also brings a fuel economy increase. The Convertible will achieve 34 mpg with the six-speed, 38.2 mph with the eight speed and 36.2 mph in all-wheel-drive guise.

Prices

The new M240i starts out at $49,745 which is, of course, before options, taxes, and delivery. In typical BMW fashion, the xDrive model will set you back an extra $2,000, now priced at $51,745.

BMW M240i Convertible

$49,745

BMW M240i xDrive Convertible

$51,745


Competition

Audi TTS Roadster

The Audi TTS just ushered in a new generation for 2016. On the outside, the new-gen model looked more like a refresh than a redesign, but the interior did get cleaned up a little, and the drivetrain department got some attention too. The TTS Roadster looks quite similar to the TT on the outside, but it does get larger air intakes up front, which makes it a little more aggressive. The TTS comes with a 2.0-liter, turbocharged mill that delivers 310 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque (here in the U.S. the TTS Roadster won’t even be available… Sigh.) As of the time of this writing, the 2017 TTS coupe is slated to retail for $52,500, but Audi has yet to release pricing for the TTS Roadster.

Read our full review on the Audi TTS Roadster here.

Porsche 718 Boxster

For 2017, the Boxster gained the “718” moniker and dropped the naturally aspirated engine in favor of a 2.0-liter, turbocharged mill that delivers 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Porsche claims most of the body panels for the 2017 model were redesigned, but in all reality, it still looks like a Boxster, so don’t expect any dramatic change in comparison to the previous generation. It did gain revised side mirrors and new 19-inch wheels as standard equipment, so it has that going for it. Al told, the 718 Boxster is capable of hitting the 60 mph sprint in as low as 4.5 seconds with the Sport Chrono package. If that isn’t enough power for you, you could jump up to the 718 Boxster S. That model comes with a 2.5-liter that delivers 350 horsepower and 209 pound-feet of torque. That takes the S to 60 mph in as quick as four seconds with the Sport Chrono package. As of the time of this writing, the 2017 Boxster is slated to retail for $56,000 in base form or $68,400 in S form.

Read our full review on the Porsche 718 Boxster here.

Competition

Normally I tend to be a little aggressive toward manufacturers when it comes to lazy facelifts or redesigns. As far as the M240i goes, however, I’m not going to take that route because the exterior and interior are pretty nice as it is. I am happy to see a bump in the power department too, so that probably helps to keep me happy too. I didn’t expect Bimmer to go so far as to increase horsepower and torque output so much, but considering an M2 convertible is never going to happen, at least the M240i is pretty damn close. It even has more torque than the M2, which is a real shocker. I look forward to seeing the M240i when BMW pulls the sheet next month.