We love our M2, love its size, its blistered fenders, and really love its snarling 365-hp 3.0-liter N55 twin-scroll turbo-six. What might be hard to love is its $57,795 as-tested price. Recently, we reviewed a $48,070 (as tested) 248-hp turbo-four 2017 BMW 230i and came away delighted and mightily impressed, but we still felt like Goldilocks in search of juuust right. In an effort to complete our BMW 2 Series sample platter, we got a hold of a 2017 BMW M240i ($52,875 as tested). As its name suggests, it might be stealthy M Division car in a plain 2 Series wrapper. It's powered by the new B58 3.0-liter single-turbo straight-six, and we believe it might be a little underrated at 335 hp.

At the dragstrip, we expected the M2 to leave the M240i flatfooted at the line and never look back. Our M2 has a seven-speed twin-clutch automatic with launch control and 265-width rear tires to use it: 0-60 in 4.1 seconds. By contrast, the M240i came with the standard six-speed manual and 245-width tires. Although the M2's N55 and the M240i's B58 engines' horsepower vary by 30 (advantage M2), their torque ratings are identical at 369 lb-ft (at 1,450 rpm in the M2 and at 1,520 rpm in the M240i). They left the line at virtually the same rate.

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As the M2 began to pull ahead, it shifted 1-2 near 30 mph. The M240i's taller gears mean it doesn't need to shift until closer to 40, so it gained back a little and reached 60 in 4.3 seconds. And so it goes; with the M2 carrying a narrow lead until … what's this? The M240i catches the M2 at about 70 mph, and they both cross the quarter-mile finish line in 12.9 seconds (M2 at 106.2 mph, M240i at 110.5 mph). How? Horsepower should rule, right?

After a 10-email volley with technical director Frank Markus, we put it down to aerodynamics. See, the M2 has greater frontal area (2.21 square meters) and higher drag coefficient (0.35) resulting in 0.75 "air resistance." For the M240i, BMW shows 2.14 square meters frontal area x 0.33 Cd = 0.71 "air resistance." Is that it, or is the M240i (shown below in red) the budget M car its badge declares? We say the latter.

See all 35 photos

See all 35 photos

More on our long-term BMW M2:

2017 BMW M2 2017 BMW M240i BASE PRICE $53,495 $45,445 PRICE AS TESTED $57,795 $52,870 VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe Front-engine, RWD, 4-pass, 2-door coupe ENGINE 3.0L/365-hp/369-lb-ft turbo DOHC 24-valve I-6 3.0L/335-hp/369-lb-ft turbo DOHC 24-valve I-6 TRANSMISSION 7-speed twin-clutch auto 6-speed manual CURB WEIGHT (F/R DIST) 3,506 lb (52/48%) 3,487 lb (53/47%) WHEELBASE 106.0 in 105.9 in LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT 176.2 x 73.0 x 55.5 in 175.9 x 69.8 x 55.4 in 0-60 MPH 4.1 sec 4.3 sec QUARTER MILE 12.9 sec @ 106.2 mph 12.9 sec @ 110.5 mph BRAKING, 60-0 MPH 101 ft 105 ft LATERAL ACCELERATION 0.99 g (avg) 0.94 g (avg) MT FIGURE EIGHT 24.0 sec @ 0.83 g (avg) 24.6 sec @ 0.77 g (avg) REAL MPG, CITY/HWY/COMB 18.7/29.8/22.5 mpg Not tested EPA CITY/HWY/COMB FUEL ECON 20/26/22 mpg 19/28/22 mpg ENERGY CONS, CITY/HWY 169/130 kW-hrs/100 miles 177/120 kW-hrs/100 miles CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.87 lb/mile 0.87 lb/mile