BMW 2 Series coupé

As far as rivals go, the 2 Series (just like the 1 Series coupé it replaces) has no products from any other manufacturer to take it head-on. Driving pleasure, times 2?

Strange – considering the 1 Series coupé has come and gone, having proved successful as a premium niche small sporty coupé – that no other car maker has built anything similar.  A compact 3-box body with long bonnet, low-slung silhouette, and short high boot makes the baby BMW coupé a special breed.

The BMW 2 Series celebrates in name and in concept the reincarnation of the classic BMW 2002 – the original compact sports coupé, as invented by BMW.  The 2002 ti became even sportier 2002 tii , and the most spectacular variant was the 125 kW BMW 2002 turbo – the first model from a European manufacturer to gain the services of a turbocharger.

The BMW 2002 was replaced by the original 3 Series (never officially sold in South Africa) which was also a coupé, and semi-cabrio only.  With the 2nd 3 Series, it continued (along the new sedan version) as the only small coupé with a 6-cylinder high-performance engine.  It created icons like the original M3, and the South-African engineered (and sold here exclusively) 325is (aka Shadowline) and 333i.  Thereafter the 3 Series grew so much that, albeit years later, it made space for 1 Series.  We can mention 2 Series here, as it is the same size as that 3 Series.

The 135i coupé quickly earned itself the reputation as ideal for young and young-at-heart wanting a high-performance small coupé, which BMW created by its classic 6-cylinder layout, with the same 225kW 400Nm 3.0 from the 335i – BMW’s first return to the petrol turbo engine.

Having realised its worldwide desirability, the 135i was elevated to BMW M status (using some M3 bits, engine uprated to 250kW/500Nm) when it built the very limited-run 1 Series M Coupé (sorry about the name, but M1 was taken by their earlier supercar).

How to follow up with a successful sequel to the 135i?  BMW since created its “M Performance Automobile” division to create semi-M cars – an ideal place to continue where 135i left off.  Meet M235i.  Same compact coupé parcel (now slightly elongated) and big-car powerplant (now 240kW) paired with rear-wheel drive.

2 Series is updated to the latest BMW look and tech, such as 8-speed automatics available in addition to 6-speed manual.  Initially the 220i and 220d models make up the 4-cylinder choice, while M235i takes the 6-cyl top spot.  A 228i (2.0 4-cyl turbo) is joining them by 3rd quarter.  All have the BMW Efficient Dynamics treatment. A rumoured M2 will become the first of its kind in name and concept – full-on baby M.

Fortunately BMW is going back to its Sheer Driving Pleasure slogan (out with the “Joy” idea which, as a word/idea on its own, could never have hoped to become as intrinsically linked to the BMW brand).  So is Sheer Driving Pleasure embedded in 2 Series?  Oh yes!  Now that it is also turbo-for-all, even the 220i mixes spirited performance (with reasonably frugal consumption)… but the M235i is the young flyer.

For local market consumption, the 2 Series 220i/220d/228i (starting at around R380k) can be ordered in Modern, Sport or M Sport trim lines, while M235i has its unique M Sport / M Performance treats, at R520k.  The driving and passengering pleasure can be enjoyed from 4 seats.  Spec is kept to simplistic, in keeping with the car’s persona – it includes must-have safety items like daytime running lights, auto headlights, rain sensor, and brake/stability/airbag network, though things more than crucial are optional extras, such as xenon lights, park distance control and navigation.

Yes, the 2 Series gives Sheer Driving Pleasure doubled – a superb balance of agility and size, efficiency and performance, with compact coupé pleasure.  The M235i coupé in particular is continuing a proud BMW-exclusive tradition.