And unlike other BMW models of late, the new 2-Series doesn’t look half bad.
Following on from all its electrification endeavours of late, BMW has recently reverted to type to give its legions of fervent petrolhead enthusiasts something to rally around. And that comes in the form of the next-gen 2-Series Coupe, which has finally made its official debut after having been leaked all over the internet for the past week.
Just speaking further about those leaks too, the images of a purple car plastered all across the ‘net is fortunately how the new 2-Series will look in real life too. That is because for an automaker obsessed with (to put it kindly) interesting design choices in recent time, this new Bavarian compact coupe is certainly more aesthetically restrained as opposed to other recent BMWs of late.
A prominent front grille is still in place though, flanked on either side by curiously tiny headlight clusters and a highly creased front bumper. The theme of overly exaggerated creases continues further down the side of its flared wheel arches too, before eventually culminating in an edgy rear bumper that is topped off with a distinct(ly Persona-esque) rear LED light cluster and a cheeky lip spoiler on its truncated tail.
Now moving onto the more important topic of what lies underneath the new 2-Series, the important thing for enthusiasts to note right off the bat here is that a manual transmission option has been consigned to the history books already. Drive however is still resolutely sent to the rear wheels however through an eight-speed automatic transmission, with higher-tier variants receiving a rear-biased all-wheel drive system paired with an M Sport limited slip rear differential.
As for what drives the wheels meanwhile, the mainstay engine for new 2-Series will be a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-pot that will be available in various states of tune depending on the variant in question. There will also interestingly be a 190 hp 2.0-litre mild-hybrid turbodiesel on offer in Europe that is dubbed the 220d, but the one every keen driver is no doubt salivating over will be the 3.0-litre turbo straight-six to be found within the M240i xDrive.
Churning out a more-than-adequate 387 PS and 500 Nm of torque, the M240i xDrive can rocket to 100 km/h from a standstill in just 4.3 seconds and top out at an electronically limited 250 km/h (155 mph). Standard too on this sporty flavour of 2-Series are additional front axle struts and M Sport brakes, with adaptive M suspension available as an option.
Standard across the new 2-Series Coupe range though are wider front and rear tracks for a squatter stance, along with revised camber angles and an Electric Power Steering with Servotronic function. A 12% more rigid chassis is also featured too to boost its handling prowess, with BMW touting it to be developed using technology derived from the 4-Series.
And on the topic of the 4-Series, BMW has also borrowed a not insignificant chunk of its interior for use in the 2-Series Coupe too. Such is evidenced by the similar dashboard layout within the two cars, though this also means that its smaller sibling gains all the luxury accoutrements and nifty tech toys as its larger brother too.
To add to that, the new 2-Series Coupe also nets a whole host of active safety aids. But with BMW being typically BMW however, the fancier features like adaptive cruise control with stop & go functionality is unfortunately relegated for customers to tick on the options list.
The new 2-Series Coupe is set to go on sale in Europe and North America come early 2022. Prices have yet been officially revealed yet, but these Mexican-built BMWs are estimated to cost from around the £35,000 (RM 200,000) mark in the UK.
PRESS RELEASE: BMW is opening a new chapter in its tradition of super-sporty compact models. In the process it will set a new benchmark for driving pleasure – a brand speciality – at the premium end of this vehicle class. The new BMW 2 Series Coupé embodies sporting prowess in a particularly concentrated form, with a vehicle concept focused squarely on dynamic excellence, an athletic design, powerful engines and sophisticated chassis technology.
New edition of the BMW 2 Series Coupé with a character focused squarely on dynamic performance. Athletic design, sophisticated chassis technology originally developed for the BMW 4 Series Coupé, rear-wheel drive and six-cylinder in-line engine are unique in the segment; they translate into superior sporting ability and hallmark BMW driving pleasure. World premiere at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in July 2021. New model will be built at the BMW Group’s San Luis Potosí plant in Mexico. Market launch at the beginning of 2022.
New BMW 2 Series Coupé is a modern take on the traditional concept of a compact, performance-focused two-door model that dates back to the BMW 02. Standalone design with maximum differentiation from the compact BMW 1 Series models. Distinctive proportions, wide tracks, optimised aerodynamic properties, excellent body rigidity, intelligent lightweight design, almost perfectly balanced 50 : 50 weight distribution and a low centre of gravity create the ideal basis for extremely sporty handling.
Launch line-up will be spearheaded by a high-performance model from BMW M GmbH: the BMW M240i xDrive Coupé with a 275 kW/374 hp six-cylinder in-line petrol engine and intelligent all-wheel drive. There will also be a choice of four-cylinder petrol and diesel models whose power is transmitted to the rear wheels.
Powerful proportions set within the classical three-box design, dynamic lines and exclusive details create a very expressive appearance. Exterior length increased by 105 millimetres, width by 64 millimetres and wheelbase by 51 millimetres compared to predecessor model. Vehicle height lowered by 28 millimetres, tracks widened by 54 millimetres at front (BMW M240i xDrive Coupé: +63 millimetres) and 31 millimetres at rear (BMW M240i xDrive Coupé: +35 millimetres).
Eye-catching front-end design featuring individual headlights in BMW 02 style and a new-look BMW kidney grille. Vertically arranged active air flaps instead of bars. Sporty and graceful silhouette composed of crisp lines and surfaces sculpted for a muscular feel. Pronounced wheel arch flaring gives the rear a powerful look. Compact rear light units with rearranged LED light functions. Distinctive design accents for M Sport specification and BMW M240i xDrive Coupé.
Standout sporting prowess in segment thanks to sophisticated chassis technology borrowed from the BMW 4 Series and given bespoke tuning. Clear improvement in agility, steering precision and cornering dynamics over the predecessor model. Integrated application of powertrain and chassis optimises the car’s steering behaviour and the build-up of lateral acceleration forces, enabling dynamic cornering and deftly controlled drifts. Excellent long-distance capabilities with optimised ride comfort and acoustics.
Standard specification includes two-joint spring strut front axle, five‑link rear axle, lift-related dampers and Electric Power Steering with Servotronic function. M Sport suspension including variable sport steering available as an option. New BMW M240i xDrive Coupé comes as standard with model-specific version of M Sport suspension, additional front axle struts, M Sport brakes and M Sport differential at the rear axle. Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers available as an option for flagship model.
17-inch light-alloy wheels as standard, 18-inch M light-alloy wheels included with M Sport specification. BMW M240i xDrive Coupé rides on 19-inch M light-alloy wheels as standard with the option of high-performance tyres.
Powerful and efficient engines featuring the latest BMW TwinPower Turbo technology. Six-cylinder in-line power unit in the new BMW M240i xDrive Coupé develops a maximum output that is 25 kW/34 hp higher than in the outgoing model. Further improved four-cylinder petrol engine in the new BMW 220i Coupé with 135 kW/184 hp and minimised emissions thanks to cylinder head with integrated exhaust manifold. New BMW 220d Coupé features a 140 kW/190 hp four-cylinder diesel unit with two-stage turbocharging and 48V mild-hybrid technology for instantaneous power delivery and high levels of efficiency. The new BMW 230i Coupé powered by a 180 kW/245 hp four-cylinder petrol engine will be added to the range in summer 2022.
All the engines team up with an eight-speed Steptronic transmission as standard. Optional eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission (standard in the BMW M240i xDrive Coupé) with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel, plus Launch Control for powering off the line with optimal traction and Sprint function for instant, dynamic bursts of speed when already on the move.
Individualised sports-car flair for the interior. Driver-focused cockpit design with a modern control panel in the centre console and the option of a fully digital display grouping. Sport seats and Sport leather steering wheel as standard, M leather steering wheel and M Sport seats with integral head restraints available as options. Special interior features for M Sport specification and the BMW M240i xDrive Coupé, such as cushioned knee pads on the centre console, heighten the emphasis on intense driving pleasure.
Optional M Sport package Pro can be added on top of the M Sport specification to send an even clearer message about the car’s dynamic abilities. Features include 19-inch M light-alloy wheels, M Sport brakes, the eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, a front spoiler lip and an M rear spoiler. Model-specific M Performance Parts will also be available for the new BMW 2 Series Coupé from launch.
Premium interior ambience represents a clear leap forward from the predecessor model. High-quality materials, precise workmanship and exclusive design features. New interior trim strips in Dark Graphite matt as standard. Door panels incorporate new trapezoidal accent surfaces, which are stylishly backlit if the optional ambient lighting is specified. M Sport specification and BMW M240i xDrive Coupé with Alcantara/Sensatec upholstery. Available as options: Sensatec perforated and Vernasca leather upholstery variants.
Low seating position and enhanced feeling of space for driver and front passenger, two rear seats with an individual-seat character. Primary load capacity in directly viewable area of boot increased by 20 litres compared to predecessor. Total load capacity: 390 litres. Standard 40 : 20 : 40 split/folding rear seat backrest enhances versatility, loading edge 35 millimetres lower than on predecessor model.
Three-zone automatic climate control and windscreen with acoustic glazing as standard. Optional extras such as seat and steering wheel heating, electrically adjustable seats including a memory function on the driver’s side, ambient lighting and a Harman Kardon surround sound system enhance both driving pleasure and comfort to excellent effect. Optional glass slide/tilt sunroof has a transparent surface nearly 20 per cent larger than on the outgoing model. Removable trailer tow hitch available as an option. Permissible trailer load: 1,600 kilograms.
Significantly expanded selection of standard and optional driver assistance systems compared with the predecessor model. Front-collision warning, Speed Limit Info, Lane Departure Warning and Cruise Control with brake function fitted as standard. Available as optional extras: Driving Assistant with Lane Change Warning, Rear Collision Prevention and rear crossing traffic warning, Active Cruise Control with Stop&Go function including manual Speed Limit Assist, Park Distance Control, Reversing Assistant, Reversing Assist Camera, Surround View and Remote 3D View. Also available for the BMW 2 Series Coupé for the first time: BMW Head-Up Display and BMW Drive Recorder.
State-of-the-art display and operating system based on BMW Operating System 7. 8.8-inch control display and instrument cluster with 5.1-inch colour display as part of the standard-fitted BMW Live Cockpit. Optional BMW Live Cockpit Professional with fully digital 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 10.25-inch control display. Intuitive, multimodal operation using the touchscreen display, BMW Controller, steering wheel buttons or voice control. BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with extended capabilities and represented by new graphics in the control display.
Cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system available in conjunction with the optional BMW Live Cockpit Plus or BMW Live Cockpit Professional. Fast, precise calculation of routes and arrival times, real-time traffic data updated at short intervals, facility for entering any word when searching for destination.
Wide selection of in-car digital services. BMW TeleServices and intelligent emergency call included as standard, along with Remote Software Upgrades for importing improved functions and new digital services into the car over the air. Optional features include: Real Time Traffic Information with hazard alert, Connected Music and BMW Digital Key. Deep integration of Amazon Alexa possible when installed via the My BMW App.
Smartphone integration using Apple CarPlay and Android Auto available as an optional extra: wireless WiFi connection; information shown in the control display, the instrument cluster and the optional BMW Head-Up Display.
