New BMW 2 Series Coupe breaks cover

UPDATED 12/07/2021: BMW Australia has today confirmed pricing for the 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe, with the 220i opening at $59,900 plus on-road costs and the M240i xDrive kicking off from $89,900 plus ORCs.

Local specs are in line with the details from our original story published last week (below), but BMW has also confirmed a variety of option packages.

These include an Enhancement Package on 220i for $3900 which includes metallic paint, sunroof and 19-inch M light alloy wheels, as well as a Comfort package for $3400 that adds the Comfort Access system and electric front seat adjustment with heating and lumbar support.

Steering wheel heating is part of the latter deal too, and as the only item from the Comfort package not included on the M240i xDrive, buyers of the higher-spec model can add this for an extra $1500.

There’s a Driver’s Assistant package also in the mix for $3400 on 220i, adding tyre pressure monitoring, adaptive LED headlights, high beam assist, active cruise control with stop-and-go, a drive recorder and the Parking Assistant Plus system.

An M Sport Plus package is available on both models. For $2500, the 220i adds a variety of M-specific equipment including brakes, shadow line, rear spoiler and seat belts.

As the M240i xDrive already has the M Sport stoppers and rear spoiler, the remaining pack additions cost $1200.

Finally, an Executive package is also offered with items such as remote engine start, an alarm, tinted windows and Harman Kardon audio. It costs an extra $3000 on 220i and $2800 on M240i, which already has the premium surround-sound system fitted standard.

ORIGINAL ARTICLE PUBLISHED 9/12/2020: The second-generation BMW 2 Series Coupe has been officially revealed today ahead of its Australian arrival in late 2021.

As the veil of secrecy around the 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe lifts – recent leaks notwithstanding – an evolutionary exterior design is presented, avoiding the controversial mega-grille of its bigger sibling, the BMW 4 Series Coupe.

Two models will arrive in Australia later this year, the 220i and M240i xDrive, with pricing and specification to be announced closer to launch.

However, expect increases over the current 220i that’s priced from $56,900 plus on-road costs, and the M240i that starts at $81,900 plus ORCs, given the uptick in technology, performance and expected equipment levels.

The entry-level BMW 220i Coupe will now be fitted standard with an M Sport package, including M Sport suspension, and continues to be powered by a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder engine that produces the same 135kW but develops 30Nm more torque – now 300Nm.

It also carries over an eight-speed automatic transmission driving the rear wheels, and can accelerate from 0-100km/h in a claimed 7.5 seconds – 0.3sec slower than before, which could reflect the fact that the new model is 120kg heavier at 1490kg.

Sitting at the top of the BMW 2 Series Coupe family tree – at least until the new BMW M2 breaks cover in 2022 – is the BMW M240i xDrive.

It sticks with a 3.0-litre turbo-petrol inline six-cylinder good for 285kW/500Nm – 35kW more than its predecessor but the same torque – and drives all four wheels via an eight-speed auto.

The 0-100km/h dash in the M240i takes just 4.3sec – 0.3sec quicker than before – and will come with adaptive M suspension, an M Sport rear differential, M Sport braking system and 19-inch M light alloy wheels when it lobs in Australia.

A mid-spec 230i variant will arrive in mid-2022, again sporting a higher-output version of the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol engine that now produces 190kW/400Nm – up 5kW and 50Nm compared to the equivalent outgoing model.

It, too, remains paired with an eight-speed auto, but performance claims are not forthcoming from BMW at this stage.

Improvements in torsional rigidity, new chassis components borrowed from the BMW 4 Series, and a carryover 50:50 front/rear weight distribution combine to “strike the ideal balance between sharp handling and ride quality”, according to the manufacturer.

The suspension hardware comprises a new two-joint spring strut up front, while the rear-end sticks with a five-link design.

The new 2 Series has a bigger footprint than before, measuring 4537mm long (+105mm) and 1838mm wide (+64mm), but overall height has dropped 28mm to 1390mm. The wheelbase has also increased by 51mm to 2741mm.

It all translates to a sportier and more muscular stance overall.

Speaking of muscle, when the new BMW M2 arrives it’s expected to be powered by a version of the ballistic 3.0-litre twin-turbo six-cylinder engine found in the BMW M3 and M4, albeit detuned from 375kW to between 305kW and 320kW.

Based on BMW’s CLAR platform architecture, the new 2 Series benefits from a range of upgrades seen on other recent models including the fitment of a 12.3-inch digital instrument display and a 10.25-inch central touch-screen system.

All the digital eye-candy is controlled by BMW’s latest OS7 software and controlled via the latest iDrive rotary dial, verbal commands, steering wheel buttons or the touch-screen.

Remote software upgrades, BMW digital (smartphone) key and wireless Android Auto and Apple CarPlay are all part of the package.

There’s improved driver assistance systems to make commuting and freeway driving more relaxing too, with real-time speed limit updates and active cruise control with stop-and-go function, along with a new head-up display with a drive recording function.

A full suite of parking aids, including proximity sensors, 360-degree camera options and parking assistance will be offered.

In terms of comfort, the BMW 2 Series gets power-adjustable sports seats with leather upholstery for front occupants on top-spec M240i models, a 16-speaker Harman Kardon sound system, a glass sunroof, ambient LED cabin lighting, three-zone climate control, and more.

Cargo volume of 390 litres hasn’t changed compared to the first generation.