BMW 2 Series Coupe Power In

It could be described as the Power of Two. Or maybe safety in numbers.

BMW new 2 Series Coupe

BMW has replaced its 1 Series Coupe with a brand-new 2 Series Coupe that is built off the platform of the 3 Series sedan.

It’s the first time the German marque has produced a 2 Series, although the number 2 does have a historic connection with the German marque’s progress from being a maker of dull large sedans in the 1950s, to being a manufacturer of agile and powerful compact vehicles from the 1960s.

The first was the BMW 1500, the so-called “Neue Klasse” vehicle that soon morphed into the 02 Series and included the legendary BMW 2002 Turbo.

And now there’s the 2 Series and one of the models destined for New Zealand is the M235i. It will arrive here around June, and is powered by the same 3.0-litre “Twin Power” turbocharged straight six engine that is aboard the 335i sedan and the M135i hatch.

But this time the wick has been turned up a little more so that it develops 240 kilowatts of power and 450 newton metres of torque - which is sufficient to get the car to 100km/h in 4.8 seconds when Launch Control is used.

BMW 2 Series Couple Interior

The other vehicle in the 2 Series fleet for New Zealand is a 220i which is already on sale, powered by a 2.0-litre turbo petrol four developing 135kW and 270Nm, sufficient to get the coupe to the open road speed limit in seven seconds.

But the hero car is quite obviously the M235i, and it more than proved its credentials at a media day on the Baskerville Raceway in Tasmania, the oldest racetrack in Aussie.

This circuit is hilly with nine interesting curves and some pretty ropey surfaces that no doubt reflect its veteran status.

But the Beemer took it on with aplomb, using its 50:50 weight balance, adaptive MP suspension and variable sports steering to provide an engaging and high performance ride.  Its eight-speed automatic gearbox has the Driving Experience Control switch which, amongst other things, changes the gearshift points for performance driving.

This new 2 Series is considerably larger than the 1 Series Coupe it replaces, to the extent it isn’t that much smaller than a 3 Series. It’s a reasonably conservative looking car that certainly doesn’t have the visual swagger of the larger BMW coupes, but it is attractive all the same.

BMW 220i Couple Rear

The increased size translates to more interior space. For example, front headroom has gone up 6mm over the old 1 Series, rear seat legroom is up 21mm, and the boot has increased 20 litres in size to now offer 390L. It’s a lovely interior that is compact without being too small, particularly for those in the front seats. The rear seats are reasonably cramped, but then it is a coupe.

Where the new vehicle is outstanding is in its performance capability, particularly its handling balance. The M235i’s performance potential can be enhanced further by buyers optioning the M Performance limited-slip differential.  No pricing has been confirmed, but the cost of the LSD is likely to be several thousand – it’s $4,300 in Australia.

A 2 Series Coupe that we are not getting is the diesel.  Across the Tasman, a 2.0-litre 220d is being introduced, but BMW New Zealand has decided the relaxed flexibility of turbocharged diesel performance is not in keeping with what a sporty coupe should be all about, and so our range will remain exclusively petrol.