M DASH

HOW DOES THE NEW M240i XDRIVE SHAPE UP AGAINST A GENUINE MUNICH LEGEND - THE 1M COUPE? WE TRACE THE BLOODLINE

- CAMERON KIRBY

MARY QUEEN OF Scots had, to put it politely, a tricky relationship with her family relative Queen Elizabeth I of England. The pair shared a murky claim to the throne, but instead of yelling at each other over a quickly cooling shepherd's pie like any reasonable family, they instead opted to kidnap, imprison and attempt to assassinate each other for several decades. As far as family feuds go, it's hard to top.

I'm hoping to avoid any bloodshed today, as I bring together unlikely fraternal rivals that come from a similarly split royal bloodline - the BMW 1M and M240i xDrive. The former's credentials don't need much in the way of introduction. Brought to the world via the automotive equivalent of an immaculate conception, it's lauded as one of the finest cars to wear BMW's fabled M badge. The latter, well, it's the first proper performanceorientated model of BMW's new generation 2 Series (don't get us started on the middling M235i Gran Coupe which is just a booted 1 Series). Its claim to the throne in this sibling battle is a contentious one. Like Mary, Queen of Scots, the M240i isn't a full-blooded heir with unconditional M Division heraldry, instead descending as the M-lite forebearer to a new generation M2 that is yet to shed its pre-production camouflage. That said, it can trace a clear path up its family tree to the 1M, being the current spiritual successor. And now we have brought them together for a royal performance duel and anoint the true BMW M Crown Prince.