DTM Driver Andy Priaulx Takes BMW M235i Around Thruxton Racetrack

BMW has managed to create a very attractive package, with its all-new M235i coupe, a car that reaches 100 km/h (62 mph) in 4.8 seconds and promises to be an engaging drive.

Even DTM driver Andy Priaulx seems to have enjoyed his time behind the (racy looking) wheel of the new pinnacle of the 2-Series range, or at least that’s the impression he leaves us with after watching the official promo he was featured in.

The video posted below, will not change our perception of the M235i, for better or worse, because it is not an impartial view. We are pleased, however, to be seeing the car in action, and hearing it at work around the Thruxton racetrack in the UK, even though the engine note sounds a bit flat, and the eight-speed gearbox sometimes seems not to be sure which cog it’s supposed to go for (Priaulx could be using the paddles badly, but that’s next to impossible given his line of work).

As a package, the M235i should be on your radar if you’re looking for a very fast yet still compact coupe, but as with all BMWs, the one you actually want, with all of the goodies selected, will cost a lot of amount of money - it starts at $44,025 in the US.

By Andrei Nedelea

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A Speculative View of the BMW M2 Coupe; What Engine Should it Get?

The automotive crowd on internet seems to have warmly embraced the new BMW 2-Series, currently available in coupe form alone, with plenty of skilled hands taking turns on envisioning confirmed or rumored versions of the car, from M2 Convertibles, to regular Cabriolets and M Performance editions.

This design take is for the as-of-yet, unconfirmed, but for a longtime speculated, M2 Coupe, with the artist, Khalil Bouguerra, applying the lessons learned from the forthcoming M4 Coupe and M3 Sedan on the 2-Series body, with bespoke bumpers, skirts, wider fenders, quad tailpipes and a tricked out boot.

If BMW gives the M2 the green light in the near future, what kind of engine do you think it should use?

Some options that quickly come to mind include a high revving and larger displacement four-cylinder (think something like the original M3 E30's 2.3- / 2.5-liter units), a turbocharged 2.0-liter (or with a larger displacement) turbocharged four, and a straight-six turbo – either a modified version of the M235i's 322hp 3.0-liter or perhaps, a smaller displacement variant of the M3/M4's 3.0-liter six.

Whichever engine it chooses, it's almost a given that it will produce much less power than the 424hp (430PS) unit in the M4 and M3. Perhaps BMW should place the emphasis elsewhere creating a limited production CSL version of sorts for the M2, with a smaller displacement engine (preferably a four-cylinder) that takes advantage of significant weight saving measures to create a driver's handling delight. What do you say?

Story References: Virtuel-Car

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This is What BMW’s 2-Series Convertible Could Look Like Sans Top

The BMW 2-Series has been out for just over two minutes, and it’s already had its top digitally chopped off by the Hungarian automotive photo manipulator at X-Tomi Design. Only one angle is available, showing the rear left three-quarter view of the now topless 2-Series, and if you liked the shape of the coupe, you’ll have no trouble with this new one.

In fact, since the car is not particularly long, being exactly 20 cm / 7.9 in, shorter than a 4-Series (in both wheelbase and overall span), yet standing a bit taller, and having a less steeply raked windscreen, it's not as sleek as the larger model.

However, once the top is stowed away, I think it harks back to the old E30 3-Series (from the rear, at least), and as a prospect promises to be a small, fun drop-top BMW that you’d also want to be seen in - the previous model had the same basic qualities, but it was not visually appealing in any way.

Looking at this picture, which kind of roof would you think would work best for it: a cloth-or a retractable hard-top?

By Andrei Nedelea

Story References: Xtomi Design

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BMW 2-Series Coupe Rendered in M Performance Clothing

Whereas there's a big question mark about an M2 Coupe / Convertible from BMW, it's a given that the Bavarian auto brand will soon release a host of M Performance styling and go-fast bits for the 2-Series, just like it has done for most of its regular and even M cars, including, but not limited to, the M5 and M6, 3-Series, and 4-Series.

In this digital rendering that is brought to you by Khalil Bouguerra from Virtuel-Car, the 2-Series Coupe is envisioned with M Performance styling parts such as the blacked-out double kidney grilles, side skirts, mirror caps and chunky rims wrapped in low profile tires, plus carbon fiber front lip spoiler and wings.

Take a closer look at the Photoshop in the big image after the break, and share your thoughts in the comments.

Story References: Virtuel-car

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BMW Execs Are Delighted with the 2-Series Coupe in New Video

BMW is marketing the all-new 2-Series Coupe as a sportier, lightweight alternative to bigger coupes and that is truly something the brand really needed. Not that its predecessor, the 1-Series Coupe, didn't provide that, but it wasn't too convincing in the design department.

Following the release of the official photos and information, the German carmaker has now shown a new video in which it details the BMW 2-Series, particularly the M235i range-topping version.

In the first film, Domagoj Dukec, BMW head of exterior design, and Thomas Ebner, product manager of the BMW 2-Series, are talking about the main design and performance features of the car.

BMW pitches the 2-Series as a natural successor to the BMW 02 range, and talks of “supremely sporting driving experience” while referring to it. Naturally, that can only be good news for BMW enthusiasts, who will no doubt enjoy the video as it presents features like the launch control, among others.

The other clip is a short launch film. Watch booth after the break.

By Dan Mihalascu

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BMW Launches 2-Series Coupe Configurator and Fresh Images

The next step for BMW and its new 2-Series Coupe after Thursday's official unveiling of the car is the release of an online configurator for all us grown up (?) kids to play around with colors for both the exterior and interior, the alloy wheel options and trim lines. Just keep in mind that you won't be able to order your car until early next year.

In related news, BMW also issued a fresh batch of images of the more artistic kind, in some of which, the 2-Series poses together with the iconic and now classic 1602/2002 series from the 1960s and 1970s. Needless to say, the Bavarians want consumers to see the new 2-Series as a spiritual successor to that car.

You can spend a few minutes of your time with the 2-Series online configurator here and read more details about the car in our previous posting here.

Thanks to Taylor from 2series for the tip!

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New BMW 2-Series Coupe Official Revealed and Priced from $33,025 [53 Photos & Videos]

Say hello to the all-new BMW 2-Series, and this time, we're happy to inform you that it's all official - no, seriously it is. For all intents and purposes, BMW's new compact two-door model is a 1-Series Coupe replacement in everything aside from the name, as well as a spiritual successor to the classic 02 series, something BMW is all too keen to point out.

The new model comes with a more streamlined design (especially up front where, fortunately, it didn't use the 1-Series hatchback's Japanese anime-style headlights) and better proportions on the outside, and a refreshed and more modern interior with all the latest gadgetry inside.

It's also larger than its predecessor, with its length increased by 2.8 inches (72 mm) to 174.5 inches (4,432 mm), width by 1.3 inches (32 mm) to 69.8 inches (1,774 mm), wheelbase by 1.3 inches (30 mm) to 105.9 inches (2,690 mm), front track width by 1.6 inches (41 mm) to 59.9 inches (1,521 mm) and rear track width by 1.7 inches (43 mm) to 61.3 inches (1,556 mm).

According to BMW's data, the 2-Series has 0.7 inches (19 mm) of extra front headroom and 0.8 inches (21 mm) of additional rear legroom, compared to the 1-Series Coupe. Furthermore, trunk capacity has been boosted by 0.7 cu.ft. (20 liters) to 13.8 cu.ft. (390 liters).

We'll begin our powertrain tour of the 2-Series with the North American model, which will make its world premiere at the Detroit Auto Show next January and go on sale in the United States in spring with two available gasoline engines. These include the 228i with a 240hp 2.0-liter turbo four priced from $33,025, and the M235i featuring a 322hp 3.0-liter turbo'd inline-six starting at $44,025. All prices include a $925 destination and handling fee.

That's not bad considering that the current 230hp 128i Coupe starts at $32,425 and the 320hp 135is Coupe at $44,475.

With the 8-speed automatic driving the rear wheels, the 240hp and 258 lb-ft 228i Coupe goes from zero to 60mph (96km/h) in 5.4 seconds and tops out at a limited 130mph (210km/h) in standard trim, and 155mph (250km/h) in Sport Line and M Sport grades. On average, the 228i returns EPA estimates of 23mpg city, 35mpg highway and 27mpg combined for the 8-speed sport automatic, and 22mpg city, 34mpg highway and 26mpg combined for the 6-speed manual.

The sportier 322hp and 332 lb-ft M235i completes the standard sprint to 60mph (96km/h) in 4.8 seconds and reaches a top speed of 155mph (250km/h). It returns a fuel economy of 22mpg city, 32mpg highway and 25mpg combined with the 8-speed automatic transmission, and 19mpg city, 28mpg highway and 22mpg combined with the available 6-speed manual gearbox.

On both models, the automatic is standard with the manual offered as a no cost option. Aside from the standard edition, the 228i is offered with two special trim grades, the Sport Line and M Sport. The former adds 18-inch wheels, special interior trim and upholstery, and high-gloss black finish for exterior trim, while the M Sport brings a host of goods ranging from the 10mm lowered suspension and 18-inch lightweight wheels, to bespoke front and rear bumpers, and sport trims and seats.

The European market version of the 2-Series will begin its career with three separate models, starting with the 220i fitted with a 2.0-liter turbo'd four rated at 181hp (184PS) and 270Nm that does 0-100km/h (62mph) in 7.0 seconds and returns a combined fuel consumption of 6.3l/100km (37.3mpg US or 44.8mpg UK) with the standard 6sp manual gearbox.

Next up is the 220d powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline-four diesel producing 181hp (184PS – same as the petrol model) and 380Nm. With a six-speed manual, it completes the standardized sprint in 7.2 seconds and delivers a combined fuel consumption of 4.5l/100km (52.3mpg US or 62.8mpg UK).

At the top of the line is the M235i donning a 322hp (326PS) and 450Nm 3.0L turbo'd straight six, with the manual gearbox version returning a 5.0 second run for the 0-100km/h sprint (8sp auto: 4.8 seconds). Combined fuel consumption is 8.1l/100km (29mpg US or 34.9mpg UK).

A wider range of engines (at least in Europe and in markets outside North America) and possibly all-wheel drive, are expected to be added within the next year.

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