Thursday 24th October 2013

BMW M235i - leaked!

Official pics and details of BMW's 2 Series - including the M235i - are now out there

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Apparently official pictures of the BMW M235i have been leaked ahead of an impending announcement on full details of the forthcoming 2 Series range. This is just the latest of a number of scooped details on the car and if BMW is annoyed that the 'secret' has been blown it can at least take heart in the fact lots of people seem very excited about it.

M135i pace without the challenging looks? Win!

Now, as you may just possibly be aware we ran an M135i here at PH recently. We did mention it once or twice, fair to say. And rather liked it, as do many of the PHers who've bought them. Those struck by the idea of rear-driven car with a 320hp straight-six and mid 30s pricetag but who couldn't stomach the looks (a common complaint, going by the forum chatter) can take heart then - it's like an M135i but better looking!

Like a downsized 4 Series, the 2 Series is perhaps not quite as visually balanced as its big brother. But is undeniably easier on the eye than the 1 Series and, perhaps, an easier sell for those not willing to spend big on a 'mere' hatchback.

Bizarrely it'd appear that although smaller and more junior in the rankings the M235i we're all interested in actually has more power than the more grown-up and sensible 435i like the one we've just taken delivery of for the PH fleet.

If the 4 Series is too grown up and sensible...

According to Jalopnik, one of the sites to break the story, by the American market numbers the M235i will have 322hp and do the 60 sprint in less than five seconds. A step up from the 306hp of the 135i Coupe it replaces here then, the auto option also changing from the existing seven-speed dual-clutch DCT to the ubiquitous eight-speed 'box. The manual option remains too, it'd seem.

Pricing is, of course, to be confirmed but in the US Jalopnik is pitching the M235i at less than $50,000, the current American spec 320hp 135is starting at $43,550. Extrapolating that to the UK a 135i Sport Plus Edition coupe is currently £32,980 and a 435i starts at £41,435 so pitch your expectations somewhere between the two. And let a whole new round of spec comparisons begin!

[Source: Jalopnik]

[arkenphel]

That is a pretty car!

There is a hint of 1 series coupe from the side profile, a little tall and ungainly, but only a little. The fronts reminds me of an E92 for some reason. The rear is a little anonymous, but not too bad.

Overall a nice looking car, though I'm not sure if the looks are as much of a grower as the 1 series.

[GroundEffect]

Would buy.

[NotNormal]

I understand the "corporate look" to their products but to me all the new offerings of BMW's cars, you'd honestly be hard pressed to tell them apart at a glance. Almost as if they come up with one design then simply shrink or enlarge to fit in with the number naming strategy!

[myhandle]

Very good, more than a little (toned down) 1 Series M Coupe there.

[Iroquois Plisken]

Coming soon:

M235i vs... The World

[GranCab]

First good looking Bimmer since the E46

[Vladimir]

Looks great but I need a hatch or estate; arrrggghhhh!!!!

[Lowtimer]

GroundEffect said:

Would buy.

Will buy, in my case, I think. Don't really need the space of my 3 Touring any more and this is an acceptable looking thing in a way that a 1-series isn't.
I'd like to see the dimensions lined up against the E46 and E36 coupes.

[kambites]

Hmm, probably the best front and rear of any current BMW. A bit ungainly looking in profile due to the amount of metal over the wheel arches, but that's true of almost all modern mainstream cars.

[Lowtimer]

Vladimir said:

Looks great but I need a hatch or estate; arrrggghhhh!!!!

Wait a little while for the 1-series facelift. Bet you a quid this is the nose that's going on it.

[MDian]

Lowtimer said:

Wait a little while for the 1-series facelift. Bet you a quid this is the nose that's going on it.

Any ideas when the facelift is coming? I for one would certainly consider the M135i more if it had this front!

[sagarich]

Lowtimer said:

Vladimir said:

Looks great but I need a hatch or estate; arrrggghhhh!!!!

Wait a little while for the 1-series facelift. Bet you a quid this is the nose that's going on it.

If it is, a M135i with a 2 series front end with be my next car.

[kambites]

Lowtimer said:

I'd like to see the dimensions lined up against the E46 and E36 coupes.

It seems to be roughly 4cm shorter, 4cm wider and 4cm taller than the E46.

[Raudus42]

Not LEAKED! Should read 'first official pictures'.

[renaultgeek]

as there's no naming conflicts (that I'm aware of), why not call it M2?

[kambites]

renaultgeek said:

as there's no naming conflicts (that I'm aware of), why not call it M2?

Because it isn't an M-car any more than the M135i is.

I dare say there will be an M2 to sit above this at some point.

[Slickhillsy]

Sorry but these things all look the same!!!

[astirling]

I may p/x my M135i for this when the time comes to change...

Or maybe a CLA45 AMG on one of Merc's crazy lease deals. Or maybe a 997.2 Carrera S.

Decisions!!!

[MikeGoodwin]

Wonder what itll cost each month for PCP.

Interesting.

[Vladimir]

I guess it all means the current M135i will drop in value; already some pretty great 2nd hand buys coming onto the market.