Terrific 2s join BMW’s rear-drive line-up
Over the next few months, the biggest shake-up of BMW’s range since the advent of the new Mini will take place, while selections like the new 2 Series will maintain the Munich-based car-maker’s stock in trade, writes
ray of with range. BMW has been careful to distance the 2 Series’ styling from the previous coupe version of the 1 Series, by investing it with a 72mm longer body and 5mm lower, flowing roofline to reinforce its sporting intent which is also enhanced by its wider tracks, by 41mm at the front and 43mm at the rear. It also has a 30mm longer wheelbase and its body has been widened by 26mm, which has the added benefit of improving interior space, as well as driving poise and grip.
Quite what exact specification choice will be made available in New Zealand is not yet decided, but in Europe, the 2 Series will front-up with SE, Sport, Modern and MSport cabin trim levels with most European countries’ selection asking about 400 (NZ$665) more for the 2 Series coupe over a similarly powered previous 1 Series car.
Over and above the extensive kit of the SE trim, which includes rear Park Distance Control, autodimming rear-view mirror and 17-inch alloy wheels, the Sport trim level adds sports seats and black high-gloss interior trim and alloy wheels. Modern adds part leather upholstery, Dark Pearl interior trim and another alloy wheel design.
Also available from launch is the M Sport model. This model combines bespoke M Sport Suspension (including a 10mm drop in ride height and 18-inch M Sport light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design), M aerodynamic bodystyling and high-gloss shadowline exterior trim. In addition M aluminium door sill strips, front sports seats, aluminium hexagon interior trim, M Sport leather steering wheel and clothAlcantara upholstery underline the 2 Series Coupe’s sporting nature from the inside. Estoril blue metallic paint can also be specified with the M Sport trim level.
The BMW 2 Series Coupe’s interior combines a driver-focused cockpit with high-quality materials. Overlapping surfaces lend a ‘‘layering’’ effect to the dashboard, which is angled towards the driver for improved ergonomics.
Front headroom and rear legroom have increased by 19mm and 21mm respectively compared with the BMW 1 Series Coupe, and several large storage compartments, including the spacious glovebox and door pockets, add practicality. The Easy Entry function of the front seats aids access to the rear of the cabin and the 60:40 split folding rear bench seat helps to make best use of the 2 Series Coupe’s load-carrying potential. A 40:20:40 three-way folding rear bench seat is optional. Dakota leather upholstery is available as an alternative to the standard cloth. The BMW 2 Series Coupe’s chassis components have a high level of aluminium content to reduce unsprung masses to improve dynamic performance. The front strut and five-link rear suspension arrangement, anti-roll bars, wide front and rear track and 50:50 weight distribution all contribute to the car’s sporting behaviour.
The electric power steering is energy-efficient and accurate, helping to enhance the handling characteristics while taking no drag from the car’s power units.
The standard Driving Performance Control switch gives drivers the option of adjusting the car’s set-up to their individual preferences while a variety of options allow customers to tailor their car to their own preferences. Servotronic steering adjusts the level of power assistance according to road speed, while Variable Sport Steering adjusts the steering ratio to reduce the level of effort required.
If the M Sport package is speci- fied, customers can also order their car with the M Sport braking system with fixed callipers, four pistons at the front and two at the rear, with larger brake discs. For the most enthusiastic of drivers, the BMW M Performance braking system brings even larger ventilated and riveted discs and callipers painted either red, orange or yellow.
The BMW 2 Series Coupe is optionally available with Adaptive M suspension, with electronically controlled dampers, or M Sport suspension, with stiffer spring and damper settings. Both set-ups come with a further 10mm reduction in ride height.
The BMW M Performance sports suspension goes a step further still, offering customers a 20mm drop in ride height, bespoke dampers and shorter, red-painted coil springs.
As is customary for BMW coupes, the engines have in-line cylinder and are longitudinally front-mounted, sending the rear wheels.
The range-topping M235i Coupe delivers an exhilarating 240kW (326hp) with 450Nm of torque, and accelerates to 100kmh from standstill in just 5 seconds. With the optional eight-speed Sport automatic gearbox, which features Launch Control, that figure drops to 4.8 seconds. Nonetheless, it will also return up to 7.6L/100km and emits just 176g/km of CO2.
The second petrol option, the 220i Coupe, gets a four-cylinder engine that generates 135kW (184hp) and 270Nm of torque. The petrol engine returns up to 6.0L/100km while emitting as little as 139g/km of CO2. These figures come courtesy of the TwinPower Turbo technology, which comprises a twinscroll turbocharging system, High Precision Direct Injection, ValveTronic fully variable valve timing and Double-Vanos variable camshaft control.
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available from launch is the 220d Coupe. Offering the same 135kW (184hp) as the petrol car but with 380Nm of torque it will reach 100kmh in just 7.2 seconds. Nonetheless, the 220d Coupe is still capable of 4.4L/100km while emitting just 117g/km of CO2.
Two further engines will be available shortly after launch for some markets, the 2.0-litre fourcylinder diesel unit, the 218d Coupe and the six-cylinder 225d Coupe.
All engines will be combined with an 8-speed automatic gearbox for fuel consumption and emissions figures that are even lower than those achieved with the standard manual gearbox. An optional eight-speed Sports automatic is also available and is standard on the 225d Coupe. It uses ultra-fast gear changes to underline the dynamic character of the two-door car. This Sport automatic comes with gearshift paddles on the steering wheel and a Launch Control function.
The M235i is the latest BMW M Performance Coupe model and it has to be remembered that the first E36 series six cylinder M3 of the early 90s delivered less power and torque. It is designed to deliver the most rewarding driving experience of the range, at least until the promised M2 hotshot version arrives in a year or two. The M235i Coupe features an individually configured spring and damper system and comes as standard with the M Sport braking system and Variable Sport Steering.
This range-topping model also offers sports seats for the driver and front passenger, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, a BMW Individual roof liner in anthracite and aluminium hexagon interior trim with accent strips in matt estoril blue or highgloss black. So far this year BMW has released its 2 and 4 Series ranges, an all-new X5, and insiders at the company tell us that in two weeks an all new Mini III will appear, while a whole raft of new three and four cylinder engines and transaxles will be revealed next year, along with the first selection of front-wheel-drive cars with BMW badges on them.