Friday 25th October 2013

BMW 2 Series: official

All the info on BMW's latest coupe, with an M235i price too...

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It may look unfamiliar, but '2 Series' is a BMW range we'll have to get used to seeing a lot more of. Following the leaked images earlier today, full UK spec details have been released by BMW on its 1 Series Coupe replacement.

The optional LSD should help out here

Except that, like the 4 and 3 Series, the 2 isn't exactly a direct successor. Not only is it longer (by 72mm) and wider (by 26mm) than the outgoing two-door 1 Series, the switch from 1 to 2 brings new styling features to mark it out from the hatch.

From the front, the more angular headlights make the 2 Series look more aggressive than the rather gawky 1 Series. Expect that on the hatch when the facelift comes. Elsewhere, the 2 appears very much the shrunken 4 Series it imitates.

The rear of the 2 Series is described as a 'broad and powerful affair'. Indeed. Here the mini 4 Series look is perhaps slightly less successful, the sleekness of that car replaced with a rather chunkier look. Still, it certainly avoids the occasionally tall and ungainly appearance of the hatch.

Token image of the one that will actually sell

The M235i is inevitably the 2 Series that will be discussed most, so let's start there. Power from the 3.0-litre straight-six is fractionally up on the M135i hatch at 326hp, with the same 332lb ft of torque. Kerbweight is down slightly at 1,450kg.

It's the limited-slip differential option that's really grabbed our attention. The M Performance LSD 'optimises traction in suitably dynamic driving situations' in BMW speak. To us, it should allow the traction issues sometimes discussed with the 1 Series to be alleviated. And be good for skids, of course.

The standard 2 Series range features 220d and 220i variants from launch, with a 218d and 225d to follow. The 225d is auto-only, the others coming as standard with a six-speed manual. Full spec details on the 20i, 25d and M235i are below; suffice to say the figures stack up very competitively against its rivals.

Is that a wheel of sensible thickness we see?

As is the BMW way now, there's a healthy roster of extras for the 2 Series. Conveniently enough, the regular 2 Series looks a little staid when seen against the M235i, which will undoubtedly make the M Sport add-ons look more appealing. There are also two brake upgrades (M Sport and M Performance) and the variable sport steering to consider, plus the option of adaptive dampers. An M Performance sports suspension kit brings a 20mm drop in ride height thanks to new springs. It's an extensive options list, let's put it that way.

The inside is standard 1 Series fare, again with a plethora of extras available. That's once you've chosen from SE, Sport, Modern and M Sport specifications, don't forget.

The initial sub-£30K list price of the M135i was definitely its biggest talking point. At £34,250,the M235i still looks good value, even if it won't grab the headlines like the hatch. For reference, that's £2,255 more than a GT-spec 370Z. The VW Scirocco R is £31,735, and the Peugeot RCZ R is expected to be in that area too. Both are significantly less powerful than the M235i. The kind-of coupe Mercedes CLA should be considered also; the 45 AMG starts at £41,845.

The 220i SE and 220d SE will cost £25,040 and £25,865 respectively, with the three launch models beginning sales on March 8 next year. No doubt the cabrio, Gran Coupe, GT, and 4WD cars are on the way too!

[gweaver]

Much better styled than the 1, but that side profile reminds me of the Hyundai Accent..

[AER]

Better...?

...or just sanitized? Koreanized, perhaps?

I think the 1-series coupe looks more interesting even if challenging.

[Kawasicki]

I hope this is very successful for BMW. It's interesting that "expensive" rwd can be price competitive with "cheap to build" fwd. How does that work?

[Debaser]

This looks like a very appealing car.

Can you fully turn off the stability control systems?

[bennyboysvuk]

Debaser said:

Can you fully turn off the stability control systems?

I have been able to on every BMW I've driven, so I'd say yes to this.

I wonder how many buyers will spec the LSD. PHers will of course spec it, but everyone else?

[Vladimir]

Stick that front on an M135i and I'd be happy.

[British Beef]

AER said:

I think the 1-series coupe looks more interesting even if challenging.

I agree. This thing looks dull and to my eyes there is too much bodywork above the wheels, so it looks top heavy.

[P1H]

I'd never considered car finance until now.....

I know absolutely nothing about it, how much do you this this will come in at PCM?

Also, according to one test I saw, the 135i coupe was only actually marginally slower than an E92 M3 when chasing each other on the road (appreciate a different story on track), I wonder how the 2 series will stack up with increased power, track and an LSD, any thoughts?

[dfen5]

25k+ for a 2.0i small 2 door car with a BMW badge on the front. Bargain, where do I sign? Never mind Mitsubishi & Nissan can make a fully spec'd 2 tonne 170+bhp diesel 4x4 with leather and all the toys, dual range box & locking diff for pretty much the same price.

Funny old world.

[Axionknight]

This looks far better than the M135i to my eyes and I would certainly be taking a closer look at it if I were in the market for this sort of thing, I really hated the M135i for the way it looks, this is far better, BUT, seems to be lacking just a bit of the understated aggression the M135i has, just a tuch too much plain Jane.

[LasseV]

Only beemer that i like a lot. I don't buy it, but i want to test drive it for sure.

[g3org3y]

dfen5 said:

25k+ for a 2.0i small 2 door car with a BMW badge on the front. Bargain, where do I sign? Never mind Mitsubishi & Nissan can make a fully spec'd 2 tonne 170+bhp diesel 4x4 with leather and all the toys, dual range box & locking diff for pretty much the same price.

Funny old world.

Comparable models?

[Twin Turbo]

Nice. Very nice. Still a little "dumpy" compared to the elegant 4-Series, but nice to have a desirable "small" footprint.

Looking forward to seeing one in the metal

[kambites]

Twin Turbo said:

Still a little "dumpy" ...

With those proportions, it's always going to be. It's shorter, wider and taller than an E46, which itself was fairly stubby for a "coupe".

[kbee540]

That's certainly prettier than my M135i that's for sure. That said, I've grown accustomed to the looks of the 1er and rather like that it's odd and causes such revulsion in some car forum nerds.

If I hadn't decided I didn't want to compromise on practicality and thus given up on coupes I'd be all over this one. A smallish coupe with loads of power, an lsd (seems important to some Stig-lets on here), capable of sub 5s 0-60 and mid 30s mpg, and a pretty decent price. Well done BMW.

[jaf01uk]

Someone at BMW adopting the Audi design philosophy, take a 1 series put it in the photocopier and press 125% There you go - done! These BM's regardless of how nice they drive all look he same, you cant tell what it is till you see the badge on the back...
Gary

[AndyWoodall]

Love it, but then I liked the last one.

Will probably wait for the lower engines, 118d or similar if they get around to it.

[Prawnboy]

British Beef said:

AER said:

I think the 1-series coupe looks more interesting even if challenging.

I agree. This thing looks dull and to my eyes there is too much bodywork above the wheels, so it looks top heavy.

yep the 1 coupe had a much better look. very bland this one.

[Andy ap]

Front: Awful, Back: Awful Side: just about get away with it. BMW's used to look fantastic now they look like an abortion from the hunchback of notredam, More molten plastic than you can shake a stick at. I'll wait to see one in the flesh though.

Probably a good car with yet more excellent engines and well engineered though and will no doubt sell very well. But someone please fire the styling department.

[weez123]

Andy ap said:

Front: Awful, Back: Awful Side: just about get away with it. BMW's used to look fantastic now they look like an abortion from the hunchback of notredam, More molten plastic than you can shake a stick at. I'll wait to see one in the flesh though.

Probably a good car with yet more excellent engines and well engineered though and will no doubt sell very well. But someone please fire the styling department.

+1