Since the bigger brother 6-Series has done a great job at the high-luxury department, whether as coupé, cabriolet or a coupé-inspired sedan, BMW had to work only with the lower steps. When these cars were tied to 1 and 3-Series, working as the casual variations of very traditional lineups forced them into a very basic form of sportiness: nothing too further from aggressive visual accessories and powerful engines. Both were excellent products, of course, but they lacked that conceptual uniqueness which has conceived a lot of interesting vehicles over the past decades. But now the times have changed. Not only did they receive their own respective spaces, as these were placed between those other families. Such decision allowed a very nice result.
4-Series became a smaller version of a typical “grand tourer”. It has a more luxurious approach, in order to seduce either those who want to leave the mainstream 3-Series or those who prefer something more casual than 5-Series. 2-Series, in turn, represents a more imponent interpretation of its predecessor’s image. That déjà vu of the hatchback was replaced with the feeling that this was entirely projected as a compact sporty car. Such conception enables it to keep attracting the predecessor’s fans as well as enticing some who were thinking of other companies. This article’s car combines all of the coupé’s qualities with all the qualities of being a modern convertible: the overall quality is so high that you could even use this car with a small family.
For starters, four people will travel just as well as their luggage. This comes from 26-mm width and 72-mm length increases. Besides, there is a very nice balance of sporty items between trim levels: neither do the conventional ones look boring nor does M235i look exaggerated. Some countries can choose between diesel and gasoline engines, but everyone gets the charming touch given by the fabric soft top – its electric operation takes twenty seconds and can be made at speeds of up to 48 kph. On the other hand, this is not the car to choose if you like surprises: everything else is shared with the coupé version, including the platform which, in turn, is a modified version of what underpins both the current 1 and 3-Series.
This vehicle arrives with up to four turbocharged engine options: a four-cylinder 2.0L makes 182 hp and emits 152 g/km of carbon dioxide in 220i, and 242 hp and 159 g/km in 228i. M235i, in turn, uses a six-cylinder 3.0L good for 322 hp and 199 g/km. But if you are focused in fuel efficiency, 220d’s 2.0L reaches 187 hp and 116 g/km. Most of these can have a eight-speed Steptronic transmission, while rear-wheel-drive is standard. The M sibling also receives five-link independent rear suspension and an optional limited-slip differential. Other great equipments are real-time wireless navigation system and SunReflective: this technology reduces the internal leather’s temperature when under direct sunshine. 2-Series Cabrio will go on sale in a few months.