2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe revealed: New compact coupe retains rear-wheel drive, straight-six power – UPDATE
Eight years since the original debuted, there’s a new 2 Series Coupe at last – and it retains its enthusiast-favourite compact proportions, rear-wheel drive layout and turbo inline-six engines.
UPDATE, 7 July 2021, 11:50am: BMW Australia has confirmed the 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe will launch in Australia in late 2021, with pricing and specifications to be announced closer to launch.
Two variants will be offered at launch – the rear-wheel-drive 135kW/300Nm 220i and all-wheel-drive 285kW/500Nm M240i xDrive – with the rear-drive, 190kW/400Nm 230i to join the range in mid-2022. All variants will feature M Sport styling.
18- or 19-inch wheels will be standard in Australia, with the 220i to feature M Sport fixed suspension, and the M240i to score adaptive dampers.
The original story has been revised with the new information.
7 July 2021, 9:15am: The 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe has been officially unveiled, ahead of an Australian launch in late 2021.
The second generation of the fan-favourite sports coupe, the new 2 Series moves to BMW's latest CLAR modular architecture, but retains the core elements that brought its predecessor critical acclaim: a small two-door body, turbo four- and six-cylinder engines, and a rear-wheel-drive chassis.
Sitting atop the range at launch will be the M240i xDrive, powered by the latest iteration of BMW’s familiar 3.0-litre ‘B58’ turbocharged inline-six petrol engine, developing 285kW and 500Nm.
Paired to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive as standard, the range-topper can sprint from 0-100km/h in 4.3 seconds, towards an electronically-limited top speed of 250km/h.
A range of lesser, rear-wheel drive, four-cylinder options will be available, led by a 230i variant producing 190kW and 400Nm from a 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-cylinder and shared eight-speed automatic, due to enter production next year. BMW claims a 6.0-second 0-100km/h time for this variant.
An entry-level 135kW/300Nm 220i petrol option is also available (with a 7.5-second 0-100km/h sprint), along with a 140kW/400Nm 220d diesel variant for Europe.
The entire range is automatic-only – with the outgoing car's manual transmission dropped – though the M240i's 'Sport' transmission enables a new 'Sprint' mode which, upon holding the left shift paddle, drops the car into the ideal gear and sets all systems to their sportiest settings for quick overtaking.
The full-fat M2 will return in late 2022, rumoured to be powered by a detuned version of the new M3 and M4's 3.0-litre twin-turbo inline-six developing around 320kW.
Under the skin, the coupe’s move to the CLAR platform has enabled a 12 per cent increase in static torsional rigidity and a near-50:50 weight distribution.
The new model measures 105mm longer (to 4537mm), 64mm wider (1838mm) and 28mm lower (1390mm) than its predecessor, with the wheelbase stretched by 51mm (to 2741mm) for a more planted feel on the road.
Track widths on four-cylinder models have grown by 54mm up front, and 31mm at the rear, with the halo M240i upping those increases to 63mm front and 35mm rear.
Double-joint strut front and five-link rear suspension features across the range, joined by variable-ratio sports steering and 'lift-related' fixed dampers.
The flagship M240i xDrive can be had with adaptive dampers, along with a stiffer suspension tune, an electronically-locking M Sport rear differential, and M Sport brakes with blue or red calipers.
Either 17- or 18-inch wheels are fitted to entry-level and M Sport four-cylinder variants in Europe, with the M240i upgrading to 19-inch 'M Light' alloy wheels with high-performance non-run-flat tyres.
On the styling front, the new BMW 2 Series Coupe blends some of BMW's latest styling cues with iconic models of its past.
Up front, the compact coupe escapes the tall-grille treatment applied to the new 4 Series family, instead featuring a slimmer pair of 'kidneys' flanked by adaptive LED headlights said to be (loosely) inspired by the 2002 of the 1960s and 1970s.
A strong shoulder line runs alongside the side of the car, alongside flush door handles (as seen on many new BMWs), the brand's signature Hofmeister window kink, and box-style flared wheel arches.
3D-effect LED tail-lights feature at the rear, with M240i models gaining unique trapezoidal exhaust tips.
The bumpers, wheels and side skirts fitted differ between base and M Sport variants, while eight colours are available, including the 'Thundernight Metallic' deep purple hue seen on the M240i throughout this story.
Inside, the new 2 Series features BMW's latest technology, including a 12.3-inch digital instrument cluster in front of the driver, and a 10.25-inch infotainment touchscreen between the occupants, running BMW's second-from-latest iDrive 7 software with wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless Android Auto and satellite navigation.
An 8.8-inch central screen and 5.1-inch instrument display are standard in Europe and the US, though expect the larger screens to be standard-fit Down Under.
Power-adjustable leather sports seats and a heated sports steering wheel are available on the M240i, joining other interior highlights including over-the-air updates, tri-zone automatic climate control, ambient cabin lighting, acoustic windscreen glazing, an enlarged tilt/sliding glass sunroof, and a 16-speaker, 464-watt Harman Kardon surround sound system.
BMW quotes 390 litres of boot space – identical to the outgoing model, though a 40:20:40 split-folding rear seat and a larger "directly viewable" area of boot aid practicality.
A broad array of active safety features are on offer, including autonomous emergency braking, adaptive cruise control with stop-and-go, lane-centring assist, blind-spot monitoring, front and rear cross-traffic alert, parking sensors, a 360-degree camera and, in firsts for the 2 Series Coupe nameplate, a head-up display and BMW's Drive Recorder system.
The 2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe will go on sale in Europe later this year.
An Australian launch will occur in late 2021.
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