The BMW brand tends to elicit a wide array of feelings these days. Some still consider it the “Ultimate Driving Machine” while others claim that the newest models have begun to concede that title.

Regardless, BMW isn’t backing down any time soon and they invited us out to Las Vegas for some scenic top-down cruising with a little bit of track time just for good measure.

Our open air session came courtesy of the 435i Convertible, complete with the optional neck warmers, which proved to be very helpful on a brisk morning drive through the desert. As you’d expect, the convertible is bigger in pretty much every way, but the turbo I6 in the 435 offers more than enough power to put a smile on your face and if you can’t be in the car, don’t fret because it happens to sound better from the outside.

The real fun came in the M235i, the first M-Performance car offered in the U.S. Confusing, yes, but remember M-Performance is not a full on M Car like the M3 or the M6.

With the M235i you get the i6 with M-Performance TwinPower technology, M-Specific chassis tuning, and various advanced aero body features. So what you get is a lot of M for a not so M price.

GREG CARLOSS: So I am now entering turn 3 at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. I am on the big oval and I am in the BMW M235i and this thing is just tons of fun. It’s a serious machine in a small package. With over 320-horsepower and over 330-pound-feet of torque you can really push this car to its limits and that’s what’s so fun about it, especially on the road courses.

Make sure to check back in with MotorWeek as we go more in-depth with a Quick Spin in the new 2-Series Coupe, soon!