By NITISH S. RELE – motoringflorida@gmail.com

Fancy that Bimmer but think it’s beyond the reach of your pocket? You need not worry. Take the 2026 M228i (starting at just $39,600) for a drive or our latest test for a feistier ride, the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe (base-priced at $49,500). With average new car price lingering at $50,000, why not get a BMW then if it fits your needs? The compact sport sedan provides enough punch around town, sprinting from 0 to 60 in a mere 4.7 seconds with top speed of 130 mph. Do note that anything coupe-like is a Gran Coupe to BMW though the car is equipped with four doors.

Under the long hood of the sharp-looking M235i sits a 2.0-liter twin-power turbo inline-4-cylinder engine putting out 312 horsepower @ 6500 rpm and 295 pounds-feet of torque @4500 rpm. It is coupled with a slick-shifting 7-speed auto gearbox, which is even more spirited via moves the steering paddle shifters. The standard adaptive M suspension is specially tuned to enhance nimbleness and poise when pushing pedal to the metal. Count on the M Servotronic electric power steering with variable sport to convey a solid and communicative feel, keeping the second-gen car straight and watchful at sharp turns and curves.

That this is a high-performance vehicle is evident from the M (stands for Motorsports) etched in the twin-kidney grille, rear trunk lid, compound sport brakes with gray calipers, shadowline lights and trim. Step into the well-furnished and airy cabin and there are only accolades to shower on this rec-happy ride. BMW’s new iDrive 9 operating system is a huge, curved one-piece display of a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen and a 10.7-inch digital gauge cluster for the driver. Blue stitches on the supportive and comfy synthetic leather (animal-free) seats or to use an appropriate BMW term, Veganza, are striking. Say goodbye to the familiar gear selector/shifter. It has been replaced by a distinctive toggle switch in the center console. Splashes of the iconic M colors, light blue, violet and red are visible throughout, especially on front seat backrests, digital cluster and steering wheel. Attractive illuminated aluminum graphite detail on and around the dashboard exude character. Other noteworthy niceties are 10-way power heated front seats, dual auto a/c, 40/20/40 rear seat, Harman Kardon audio, wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, tilt/telescopic steering column.

Standard safety features include dual front and side airbags, front knee and side curtain airbags  along with dynamic stability and traction control, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic brake distribution, rearview camera, front/rear park distance control, active driving assist (lane departure warning, blind spot monitor/detect, rear-cross traffic alert, city collision mitigation), forward collision warning, daytime running lights and tire pressure monitor.

So, there you have it – an athletic, impressively compliant, a smoking jack rabbit of an easy-on-the-pocket Bimmer ride if you so desire. The M235 delivers a level of performance and style unbeatable for the money. The attention-grabber certainly deserves attention, plenty of it!

M235 xDrive

Tires: P225/45R18

Wheelbase: 105.1 inches

Length: 179.2 inches

Width: 70.9 inches

Height: 51.9 inches

Fuel capacity: 13.2 gallons

City/hwy/comb: 24/33/27 mpg

Weight: 3,578 pounds

Price as tested: $59,175

Web site: www.bmw.com