2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe leaked ahead of Thursday’s reveal – UPDATE: New images
BMW's new compact sport coupe leaks once again, this time just days ahead of its global debut.
UPDATE, 6 July 2021: New images of the 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe have surfaced courtesy of @wilcoblok, this time focusing on the coupe's rear end.
Our original story continues below.
5 July 2021: This is it: say hello to the all-new 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe ahead of its official unveiling this Thursday, 8 July 2021.
An image shared by photographer @wilcoblok on Instagram shows what appears to be a screenshot from an official BMW video of the new 2 Series.
Finished in a deep shade of purple, the car pictured is believed to be the range-topping M240i variant.
As seen in numerous spy shots over the past 12 months – and a set of revealing leaks in April 2020 – the new BMW 2 Series escapes the buck-toothed grille treatment applied to the new 4 Series family and M3/M4 duo, instead featuring a pair of kidney-shaped grilles only fractionally larger than those of the outgoing model.
MORE: 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe previewed: New coupe to retain rear-wheel-drive bias, small kidney grilles
The signature grille is flanked by sculpted LED headlights with one 'angel eye' light signature (rather than the two-eye design seen on other BMW models), and sits above triangular air intakes on either side of a central grille – all identical to the leaked images shared last year.
Along the side there's a set of box-style wheel arches, plus a strong shoulder line, flush door handles (similar to the larger 4 Series Gran Coupe), and BMW's traditional Hofmeister rear window kink.
The image doesn't provide a look at the new 2 Series' rear end, though 3D LED tail-lights, a black boot lid spoiler, dual exhaust tips and a black lower diffuser are expected.
The M-specific aerodynamic mirror caps – combined with their 'Cerium Grey' copper finish, characteristic of BMW's mid-tier M Performance models – indicates we're looking at the M240i xDrive, which will serve as the range-topping variant until the new M2's unveiling in late 2022.
It will be powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-six petrol engine, developing 275kW and 500Nm in European models – though Australian cars are expected to have higher outputs (285kW/500Nm), as per the larger M340i and M440i xDrive.
Drive is sent to all four wheels as standard through an eight-speed automatic transmission and a rear-biased xDrive all-wheel drive system. It's not clear whether rear-wheel-drive and/or six-speed manual models will be made available for markets outside of Europe.
Four-cylinder 220i, 220d, 225i and 230i petrol and diesel variants are slated to be offered in overseas markets, most of which are likely to employ rear-wheel drive only. Expect Australia to continue with 220i, 230i and M240i models, as before.
As detailed in May 2021, BMW quotes a near-50:50 weight distribution and 12 per cent increase in torsional rigidity for the new model. The M240i will be available with a limited-slip rear differential and adaptive dampers on optioned-out examples.
Above: Leaked BMW 2 Series image from May 2021.
Versus the outgoing 2 Series, the 'G42' generation car is said to offer a 51mm-longer wheelbase, plus front and rear track widths that have increased by 52mm and 31mm respectively.
Inside, expect a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster and 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen to be standard across the Australian range, oriented in a similar style to BMW's latest models. Rumours suggest the larger i4 and iX electric vehicles' iDrive 8 dashboard will be added to the 2 Series in mid-2022.
The 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe will be revealed in full this Thursday (8 July 2021) at the Goodwood Festival of Speed, at 6pm AEST.
Using other BMW models as a guide, an Australian launch in late 2021 or early 2022 is likely.
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