BMW 2 Series Coupé from $50K

BMW has announced price details for its all-new 2 Series Coupé, which starts at $50,500 plus on-road costs when it arrives in Australian BMW dealerships from March.

Ostensibly replacing the 1 Series Coupé, the slightly larger 2 Series Coupé will be offered in three model grades from launch, all of them turbocharged, from the entry-level 220i, to the diesel-powered 220d and fire-breathing M235i. Full pricing is as follows:

BMW 220i Coupé    $50,500
BMW 220d Coupé    $52,500
BMW M235i Coupé    $79,900

Specification for the New BMW 2 Series Coupé has not been released by BMW Group Australia yet, and will be announced "closer to launch" in March says the importer.

However eight-speed sports automatic transmissions will be standard on all models in the range, and will include sports-oriented steering-wheel paddle shifters and a launch control function for rapid getaways and track work.

BMW Group Australia's Managing Director, Phil Horton, said the new model will include "generous specification loaded with the latest in innovative technology," so expect a strong features list.

The local BMW boss also took a subtle jab at Mercedes-Benz popular A 45 AMG and CLA 45 AMG all-wheel drive models, priced roughly the same as the range-topping M235i Coupe, saying: "The 2 Series Coupé blends stunning good looks with the kind of incredible dynamic talent that can only be delivered by a rear-wheel drive car".

Overseas markets will have access to all-wheel drive versions of the 2 Series Coupé.

We've just driven the new M235i Coupé in Las Vegas, and it's fair to say the $80,000 machine offers exceptional bang for your buck, but BMW expects the top seller to be the affordable 220i Coupé.

Costing a smidge over $50K, the BMW 220i Coupé is powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that cranks out 135kW/270Nmm, and sprints from 0-100km/h in 7.0 seconds. It's also a miserly operator, with a claimed fuel consumption figure of 6.0L/100 km on the combined cycle.

BMW Group Australia's Product Communications Manager, Scott Croaker, told motoring.com.au that there was big interest in the go-fast M235i model but "in the [2 Series] range we'll see good volume from the 220i. The entry-level petrol will be a strong seller."

He said the M235i could vie for top-selling status in the range, particularly based on the fact the 135i Coupe was previously the best-selling 1 Series Coupe model. But unlike when the 1 Series Coupe launched in Australia, with buyers having to wait up to six months for vehicles, 2 Series supply is solid.

"We have good supply out of the factory and we don't foresee big wait lists," said Croaker.

Drivers prioritising fuel economy will be drawn to the 220d ($52,500), which is propelled by a 2.0-litre turbo-diesel engine with outputs of 135kW/380Nm. It consumes diesel at a claimed rate of 4.4L/100km and is only slightly slower than the 220i, accelerating from 0-100km/h in 7.1 seconds.

At the top of the tree is the 240kW/450Nm BMW M235i ($79,900), which will be the "most powerful petrol-powered BMW M Performance Automobile" when it arrives in March, according to BMW Australia.

The tyre-smoking compact coupe accelerates from 0-100km/h in just 4.8 seconds and is a "willing slider" says motoring.com.au's Michael Taylor, who had the good fortune to fully test the car’s capabilities on the race track.

Stay tuned for full specifications and a review of the new BMW 2 Series Coupé on Australian roads closer to launch.

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