BMW M240i xDrive

Outshining a CSL but also taking the day-to-day in its stride, our M240i was an all-rounder of distinction

- Jethro Bovingdon

THE M240i xDRIVE IS NOT A TRACKDAY car. It's not even a full-blown M division car. The cynical might call it a marketing exercise. However, just a couple of laps of Bedford Autodrome shatter that notion and ram home a growing realisation that nothing seems outside the comfort zone of this remarkably complete coupe.

Stranger still is that I'd spent the rest of that day - battling pelting rain, drizzle and finally a bit of sunshine - in an M4 CSL. The new hardcore road racer had scrapped with our ravaged tarmac for hours and even on track it didn't seem to have the grip and traction to make the most of its lunatic engine. Jumping into the M240i was a breath of fresh air. Composed, balanced and still sharp enough to feel right at home, it made the M4 CSL feel ragged and a bit silly.