BMW has a rich heritage of creating sporty, dynamic cars with a high degree of driver engagement – most notably in the compact segment – with iconic models such as the two-door BMW 2002 turbo and the more recent and multi-award winning 135i Coupé. Today the newest performance two-door model, the BMW 2 Series Coupé, takes its place beside these legendary vehicles, with enhanced dynamic ability and unrivalled aesthetic appeal.
According to Phil Horton, Managing Director for BMW Group Australia, the successor to the extremely popular 1 Series Coupé offers an even more engaging drive.
“The 2 Series Coupé blends stunning good looks with the kind of incredible dynamic talent that can only be delivered by a truly refined driver’s car,” he said.
“Add to this the generous specification levels loaded with the latest in innovative technology and we are very confident that we have a winner on our hands” Horton said.
Adopting the familiar three-box body design, the BMW 2 Series displays the typical characteristics of classic BMW coupés, such as long bonnet, short overhangs, set back passenger compartment and a sweeping roof line that transitions seamlessly to the rear of the car.
Larger than the outgoing model, the new BMW 2 Series Coupé measures 4,432 mm in length (+72 mm) and 1,774 mm in width (+ 26 mm); however the 2 Series is 5 mm lower at 1,418 mm and presents a more purposeful and powerful stance. The chassis has undergone similar adjustments, gaining 30 mm in the wheelbase at 2,690 mm, as well as wider front and rear track with 1,521 mm at the front (+41 mm) and 1,556 mm at the rear (+43 mm). The result is an increase in interior space and 20 litres of extra luggage capacity (now 390 litres).
Three exciting model variants will make up the BMW 2 Series Coupé model range from launch, all equipped with the latest BMW TwinPower turbo engines boasting exhilarating power and torque figures, yet still returning impressive fuel economy.
Priced from $50,500, the entry point BMW 220i Coupé develops 135 kW of power and 270 Nm of peak torque which is delivered as early as 1,250 rpm. This is enough to propel the BMW 220i Coupé from 0-100 km/h in 7.0 seconds whilst consuming a mere 6.0 l/100 km’s on the combined cycle.
The BMW 220d Coupé also produces 135 kW from its four-cylinder TwinPower turbo diesel engine, however boasts a substantial 380 Nm of torque. While it consumes just 4.4 l/100 km’s, the BMW 220d Coupé will sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in only 7.1 seconds. The entry diesel variant is available from $52,500.
BMW’s newest and most powerful petrol M Performance vehicle, the BMW M235i Coupé, is available at a retail price of just $79,900. Claiming an extra 5 kW of power over the BMW M135i, the six-cylinder in-line M TwinPower turbo engine develops 240 kW and 450 Nm of torque and achieves a 4.8 second sprint to 100 km/h. The precise trademark M co-ordination of engine power, model-specific suspension technology and aerodynamic balance further adds to an extraordinarily sporty driving experience.
Similarly impressive is the list of standard equipment included in each model. At the entry point to the range, both the 220i Coupé and 220d Coupé variants boast an identical high level of specification, as outlined below.
Driver awareness and visibility is well served by the standard rear Park Distance Control (PDC), Halogen headlights with auto headlight control and rain sensor, as well as an anti-dazzle interior rear view mirror.
The comfort of the occupants is guaranteed, thanks to the automatic climate control system, heat/sun protection glazing of the windows, sports seats, sensatec upholstery and a range of versatile storage options throughout the car including 60:40 split fold rear seats and bottle holders in the front door pockets.
Accompanying the six-speaker audio system with auxiliary in and USB connection is the convenience telephony with extended smartphone connectivity which allows extended Bluetooth functionality such as voice control, audio streaming and pairing of multiple devices. Additionally the 220i Coupé and 220d Coupé come standard with the navigation system Business which includes a high-res 6.5-inch colour screen.
Also included is the full suite of safety features such as dynamic stability control, dynamic braking lights, the full complement of airbags and an active bonnet to improve pedestrian protection.
Both the 220i and 220d Coupés also include either the ‘Sport Line or ‘Modern Line’ as standard. Both of these standard packages are designed to create a specific character for the car.
The BMW Lines offer harmoniously coordinated exterior and interior design and equipment features. Both the BMW Sport Line and BMW Modern Line include 17-inch light-alloy wheels in exclusive designs, depending on the BMW Line selected, ambient lighting with variable use of colours and special seat upholstery, interior trim strip and car key designs. BMW Sport Line brings a high-gloss black finish for the outer air intake surrounds, the front of the kidney grille bars, the cross rib in the centre air intake and the rear apron, subtly emphasising the dynamic credentials of the two-door newcomer. BMW Modern Line serves the cause of progressive elegance through the use of matt aluminium for the design elements mentioned above and a body-coloured paint finish for the cross rib in the centre air intake.
The BMW M235i Coupé not only delivers the pinnacle in performance and handling, but also adds a host of additional features that enhance its position at the top of the BMW 2 Series Coupé range.
Visually, the BMW M235i Coupé communicates its dynamic pedigree with M Sport package features such as a full M aerodynamics exterior body package with embellishers and mirror caps in ferric grey, front kidney grille with eight vertical slats in black high-gloss and the BMW Individual high-gloss shadowline for the exterior. The interior is similarly treated with an anthracite individual roof liner, door sills with M designation, Dakota leather upholstery on the standard Sports Seats, M leather steering wheel and aluminium hexagon interior trim with Estoril blue highlights.
Further evidence of the sporty nature of this vehicle is the BMW M branded, dark blue callipers of the standard M sport braking system which are visible through the mixed 18-inch double spoke M alloy wheels. This high performance braking system incorporates four-piston fixed callipers at the front and two-piston callipers at the rear.
The standard inclusion of Adaptive M suspension and variable sport steering further serves to enhance the agility and handling of this compact performer.
Increases in the standard equipment levels on the M235i above the entry level models include front park distance control, Bi-Xenon headlights and an interior light package that includes front and rear reading lights, illuminated vanity mirrors, front and rear ambience lighting as well as lighting in the front footwells, interior and exterior door handles and boot.
Occupants will enjoy the benefits of an upgrade to the navigation system professional including iDrive touch controller, internet functionality and the seven-speaker, 205 watt HiFi audio system.
All models come standard with BMW’s acclaimed eight-speed sports automatic transmission which includes gear shift paddles and launch control function.
The options programme for the BMW 2 Series Coupé range includes several ‘high-value’ packages that combine the most logical and commonly grouped options together to benefit the customer by simplifying the choices as well as reducing the option pricing.
The Advanced Parking Package, as the name suggests, combines BMW’s parking assistant feature with front and rear park distance control sensors (already standard on the M235i) and rear view camera to provide all the assistance possible for that perfect and safe parking manoeuvre.
The Visibility Package brings several highly advanced lighting systems together such as Bi-Xenon headlights including headlight washers (already standard on the M235i), high-beam assistance, adaptive headlights and anti-dazzle exterior mirrors to provide the safest night time driving environment with increased illumination and awareness for the driver.
Navigation System Professional, internet functionality and an upgraded instrument cluster with extended contents join together with the harman/kardon sound system and DAB+ radio to make up the content of the Professional Multimedia Package.
For a more luxurious experience, the Comfort Package consists of the comfort access system, electric seats with memory function, electrically adjustable lumbar supports and seat heating for the front seats.
Included in the stand-alone options list are features such as the Driving Assistant which includes lane departure warning and approach warning control/pedestrian warning with light city braking, as well as the 40:20:40 split fold rear seats, glass sunroof and the no-cost option of a six-speed manual transmission.
Also available for the BMW 220i and 220d Coupé is the M Sport package developed specially for the new model. This option comprises bespoke suspension tuning (including a 10-mm drop in ride height and 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design), aerodynamically optimised body elements (including large front air intakes, striking side skirts a diffuser for the rear apron and a rear boot lid spoiler), plus a special design for the BMW kidney grille and an exhaust tailpipe embellisher in high-gloss chrome. In addition to aluminium door sill strips bearing the M logo, features such as sports seats for the driver and front passenger, Aluminium Hexagon interior trim strips with an accent strip in Estoril Blue, a special dial design for the instrument cluster and ambient lighting also combine to bring an intense aura of sporty driving to the interior of the BMW 2 Series Coupé.
The new BMW 2 Series Coupé will be available in Australian showrooms from March 2014.
BMW 2 Series Coupé Australian Pricing:
| Australian MRLP* | |
| BMW 220i Coupé | $50,500 |
| BMW 220d Coupé | $52,500 |
| BMW M235i Coupé | $79,900 |