The sad news that BMW was ceasing production of the awesome little 1 Series coupe didn’t last long. In fact, the echoes of that announcement were barely dying away when BMW pulled the cover off of its replacement. The new 2 Series also completes the process of making BMW’s car-naming scheme make sense: Even-numbered series are coupes, while odd-numbered series have four or five doors.
The 2 Series arrives on our shores during the first quarter of 2014, with a two-model lineup. The 2 Series is still a diminutive coupe but it’s longer than the 1 Series by about three inches, and an inch wider. The body-size bump means greater interior room and trunk space. The three-box silhouette is the same, and the 2 Series is proportioned similarly to the legendary 2002. Interior appointments are up to BMW’s high standard, with standard dual-zone climate control and iDrive operated through a 6.5-inch flatscreen display. A navigation system with a larger screen is also offered.
BMW’s TwinPower Turbo engines have improved power without sacrificing efficiency, and the 2 Series is all about lightweight performance. The 228i features BMW’s 2.0 liter four-cylinder turbo with 240 horsepower and 22/35 fuel economy in automatic-equipped models. The M235i gets BMW’s awesome 3.0 liter inline six twin-turbo; it delivers 322 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. An M Adaptive suspension and braking system are standard on the M235i; it might rival the M3 for sheer giggle factor when it hits our streets. Six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic transmissions are offered.
The 2 Series will make its world debut in Detroit in January, and goes on sale not long after. Pricing has been set at $33,025 for the 228i and $44,025 for the M235i. Get in line now!
