By John LeBlanc
Well ahead of its January 2014 debut at the Detroit auto show, official images of the new, 2015 BMW 2 Series Coupe have been unofficially splattered all over the Internet. And based on what little information we have so far, traditional BMW fans should be happy.
BMW already confirmed that the new 2 Series’ predecessor, the existing 1 Series, was not going to be sold as a 2014 model in North America. And we knew of its Motown auto show premiere. What we didn’t know was what the car looked like or any other specs. But these official specs and images give credence that the new 2 Series will make up for some of the neutering the current 3 Series has received.
Like the 1 Series, the new 2 remains a compact, four-seat, rear-wheel-drive, two-door coupe. While a future convertible version is a slam-dunk given, the hardtop is longer, wider overall, and has more interior room than the outgoing 1 Series. Subjectively, the 2 Coupe’s exterior should also appeal to a broader audience with less controversial styling than the 1 Series.
We’ve also found out that a base 228i and top-line M235i (sorry, it’s not an M2) will arrive in dealerships next spring as 2015 models. BMW’s now familiar, turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder gas engine will power the 228i, making 240 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Zero to 96 km/h is a claimed 5.4 seconds with an eight-speed automatic. The M235i, though, is the one BMW fans will want
With the same autobox as in the 228i (a six-speed manual will be available in both 2 Series models) a more traditional, turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder gas engine (making 322 hp and 332 lb-ft) will scoot the M235i from zero to 96 km/hr in just 4.8 seconds. As well, the M235i will allegedly sport an adaptive suspension, so-called “M brakes”, and Michelin Pilot Super Sports tires.
One reason why the current 1 Series is getting its name change is to fall inline with BMW’s convention of even-numbered coupes (i.e. the new 4 Series, 6 Series, and X4 and X6 Sports Activity Coupes). The second is to better differentiate the rear-drive two-doors from the forthcoming front- and all-wheel-drive 1 Series compacts, previewed by the BMW Concept Active Tourer concepts.
While the current 3 Series has been criticised for leaning more towards the “luxury” side of the “sports/luxury” sedan equation, does this new 2 series reinvigorate BMW’s claim as a builder of Ultimate Driving Machines?” Or has BMW’s reputation been diminished to the point where a test-drive is now a must?
Source:
AutoWeek
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