Wednesday 9th October 2013

BMW 2 Series specs leaked

Official details sneak out from BMW South Africa about the 1 Series coupe replacement

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And so it seemed PH was on a hiatus from small BMWs for a while. We tried, honestly, but with some 2 Series specs released, we felt duty bound to share it with you.

Estoril Blue works its magic again!

Like the 4 Series did with the 3 Series Coupe, the 2 Series replaces the 1 Coupe. Compared to the previous two-door 1 Series (E82), the 2 Series (F22, just so you know) is 30mm longer with front and rear tracks wider by 55mm and 60mm respectively.

The biggest news as far as we're concerned is that the M235i will get the option of a limited-slip differential as part of a performance kit. Furthermore, BMW's Brand and Product Strategies Senior Vice President Klaus Froehlich has promised it will be faster than the 1M Coupe round the Nurburgring. Whether 'ring times still matter is rather a contentious topic right now, but beating the 1M's 8:15 will undoubtedly make for an absurdly fast car on any road.

Predictably, the M235i's powertrain is largely similar to the M135i. Power is up slightly to 322hp whilst torque remains at 332lb ft. A slightly lower kerbweight (1,455kg versus 1,500kg for the hatch) means a tiny improvement in acceleration; 0-62mph falls by a tenth for manual and automatic models to 5.0 seconds and 4.8 seconds respectively.

Could this be the M2?

The 220d and 220i produce the same 184hp, the petrol engine the same as used in the 125i but in a lower state of tune. Both models are sub-1,400kg too, at 1,375kg (220d) and 1,350kg (220i).

The leaked spec details have come from BMW South Africa, so the prices quoted shouldn't be taken as the final UK cost. However, their 503,079 Rand for an M235i is £31,500 using today's exchange rate; this makes it £1,000 more than the five-door hatch. Given a 435i is nearly £3,500 more than a 335i, we reckon 2 Series prices could climb slightly higher. The 220d will cost 393,000 Rand (£24,600) and the 220i 366,257 Rand (£22,900).

As is the BMW way, the 2 Series will spawn further spin-offs, with a cabrio confirmed and a Gran Coupe rumoured already too. The styling of the 2 Series will most probably influence the 1 Series facelift as well. Can't be a bad thing...

Finally Herr Froelich has also stated the M235i will be 'as close a spiritual successor to the 2002 ti that we've had'. BMW had teased us before with the 1 Series tii Concept, so can it deliver this time?

[Sources: WCF via 2addicts, Bimmerpost, Auto Express, Autocar, Pictures: BMW blog, Auto Express]

[Jem1]

This is what the 1-series coupe should have looked like.

[Ali_T]

What happened to the headlights? The red one looks far better.

[Mermaid]

Much better - M2 will be hugely popular.

[jakeb]

the red one has the correct lights - the blue one is an auto express exclusive photoshop jobbie

[kambites]

jakeb said:

the red one has the correct lights - the blue one is an auto express exclusive photoshop jobbie

I certainly hope you're right. The blue one looks awful.

Hopefully the 1-series will pick up the front end from the red one too.

[M@1975]

I like that, despite the million different varieties of BMW that will be on sale now I actually think it's the right move for them with the product.

[dylan39]

Ali_T said:

What happened to the headlights? The red one looks far better.

..looks like its had a stroke...

[framerateuk]

Looks great if it turns out like the red one. I really don't like the front lights on the 1 Series.

Curb weights look good though, lighter than the current hot-hatchbacks, which bodes well for a sporty coupe!

[aspirated]

Red one looks amazing. I bet they'll sell loads more M235i's and prices will drop of used M135i's.

[Carnnoisseur]

M@1975 said:

I like that, despite the million different varieties of BMW that will be on sale now I actually think it's the right move for them with the product.

I was literally thinking the same thing, that's an immense amount of choice being currently offered, but I'm assuming the market dictates it.

As mentioned by most, agreed, the red model looks far better than the blue...

[Mr Whippy]

If it looks red, good. If it looks blue, not good.

[GranCab]

Wow ! At Last !

A small BMW that doesn't look like a dog's dinner...

[MrBurt]

Do hope it's the red one and not the blue.
The blue one looks like a 1 series has been hit from behind by a low flying X6...

[Amirhussain]

MrBurt said:

Do hope it's the red one and not the blue.
The blue one looks like a 1 series has been hit from behind by a low flying X6...

Think the red one is the real deal, blue one is a mock up

[Ved]

Mermaid said:

Much better - M2 will be hugely popular.

Agreed and hopefully attainable

[jimgreen83]

If the M235i had been out last year when I bought my GT86 it would have made it very hard to go with the Toyota (which I love by the way). The 2 series looks a lot better than the 1 series, even in blue, I look forward to seeing the M2.

[TimS2000]

At last a 1 series derivative that doesn't look fking hideous - in fact, it looks damn good, I'll have a M235i manual in estoril with the lsd please!

[Krikkit]

TimS2000 said:

At last a 1 series derivative that doesn't look fking hideous - in fact, it looks damn good, I'll have a M235i manual in estoril with the lsd please!

Agreed on that front, looks great imo!

[VladD]

Hopefully the 2 series will appear in the BTCC. I assume the regulations will allow it.

[coldsnap]

aspirated said:

Red one looks amazing. I bet they'll sell loads more M235i's and prices will drop of used M135i's.

Yep, this extra 2bhp alone will do that