[The Automotive Enthusiast]

The test vehicle probably would have gone unnoticed without the camouflage, but it stood out in traffic due to its light disguise applied on some areas of the body, prompting our spy photographers to immortalize the prototype. BMW uses the fancy term “Life Cycle Impulse” to denote a model’s mid-cycle facelift, but those are some big words for what will be a very subtle facelift for the 2 Series Coupe.

Changes begin at the front where BMW is implementing new headlights with a more angular shape for the familiar “angel eyes,” while some updates to the kidney grille and the area around it could also be in tow. The back of the car has essentially been carried over from the current model, with the exception of the taillight design that remains hidden under a foil and has some camouflage around the cluster. Although this particular prototype doesn’t have them, slightly modified front and rear bumpers are likely on the agenda as well.

Images of the interior cabin are not available in this set, but even so in some of the pics we are able to notice the car had a black cloth on the dashboard. It indicates some tweaks are in the works, but we are not holding our breath for any significant novelties. An updated iDrive infotainment, more technology, and possibly new trims and upholsteries are likely being prepared to keep the 2 Series Coupe fresh and competitive.

As you would imagine, the same modifications will also be implemented in the revised 2 Series Cabriolet, with both likely scheduled to come out at some point in 2017. Rumors are indicating BMW has plans to launch a sleeker 2 Series Gran Coupe with four doors, one that might even get the full-on M treatment. Even if the report is legit, it’s unlikely to arrive before the 2 Series’ next generation, which thankfully is expected to retain the rear-wheel drive layout whereas the 1 Series will be demoted to a FWD setup in its next iteration. That being said, latest reports are indicating the 2 Series will also switch to the UKL front-wheel drive platform, so you might want to hurry up and buy the current model if the RWD arrangement is a top priority.

Source: http://www.motor1.com/news/129750/20...-series-coupe/

[MichalM240i]

Breakes my heart knowing that my '17 M240i is waiting for my and there are allready rumors about LCI

[bimmerfile]

Originally Posted by MichalM240i

Breakes my heart knowing that my '17 M240i is waiting for my and there are allready rumors about LCI

Dude, in case you didn't notice the visual LCI changes to the base 2er coupe above are negligible and I doubt if there will be any changes to the M240i that anyone other than a NASA scientist looking at it through the Hubble telescope would detect.

[qballis]

Originally Posted by bimmerfile

Dude, in case you didn't notice the visual LCI changes to the base 2er coupe above are negligible and I doubt if there will be any changes to the M240i that anyone other than a NASA scientist looking at it through the Hubble telescope would detect.

Except for the completely changed look of the headlights...

[Hellrot]

Old headlights look better on the 2er.

[Tpeterson]

Body changes look negligible to me. Big change until a new model was MY17 new engines.

[harma24]

Only one tailpipe? It looks like the 320. I'm guessing this is the 4 cylinder engine, but any quess as to why they changed the tailpipe?

[Tpeterson]

Originally Posted by harma24

Only one tailpipe? It looks like the 320. I'm guessing this is the 4 cylinder engine, but any quess as to why they changed the tailpipe?

Just to differentiate it form the current model? It looks terrible.So small.

[pz619]

There is a 220i model that just isn't sold in the states. It's probably that.

[DF]

Not much freshening. Even the angel eyes aren't that different. I guess led tail lights are the only noticeable change

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

In the other thread, I think it was noted that the 2 series refresh would be very minor.

[doccyber]

Why mess with perfection?

[Viffermike]

One thing I notice about this is that the rear of the side rocker panel now has an upswing to match the imaginary line between it and the seam between the rear bumper cover and the rear quarter panel. The current design doesn't do this ...

... and I think it's a terrible idea because the line makes the car's rear end look bigger and stubbier, and it ruins the otherwise horizontal design flow of the side. Too many cars (I'm looking at you, Lexus) have this visual cue now.

One thing to note: I'm betting the rear tailllights will have at least LED brake lights, if not be full LED (turn signals and backup lights as well). The nacelle layout behind the camo implies that -- the individual units within the nacelle aren't segmented like the current one.

[pimp4cheddar]

Originally Posted by Tpeterson

Body changes look negligible to me. Big change until a new model was MY17 new engines.

Agree - this is worth making a note of as it was a fairly big change!

Not some curve in a headlight...

[mike@x-ph.com]

I like the new headlights

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by harma24

Only one tailpipe? It looks like the 320. I'm guessing this is the 4 cylinder engine, but any quess as to why they changed the tailpipe?

New B48-based 220i's now have dual tailpipes. This is a 3-cylinder 218i.

Originally Posted by Viffermike

One thing I notice about this is that the rear of the side rocker panel now has an upswing to match the imaginary line between it and the seam between the rear bumper cover and the rear quarter panel. The current design doesn't do this ...

Huh? It looks exactly the same right now. What am I missing?

[Gabrola]

I see LED fog lights. Also it seems they are sticking to LED headlights housed in projectors like the LCI 1 series unlike LED headlights in reflector housings in pretty much the rest of BMW's lineup. I like that. I think reflectors look rubbish.
Also since there seems to be no changes to the body, LCI headlights and taillights will probably be retrofit-able on pre-LCI models.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Gabrola

I see LED fog lights. Also it seems they are sticking to LED headlights housed in projectors like the LCI 1 series unlike LED headlights in reflector housings in pretty much the rest of BMW's lineup. I like that. I think reflectors look rubbish.
Also since there seems to be no changes to the body, LCI headlights and taillights will probably be retrofit-able on pre-LCI models.

Yep: definitely LED fogs. Though see my post above; there is a body change that's quite significant regarding the lines of the car ...

... and coding options for the 2 Series have always indicated coming LEDs in the taillight nacelle. Whether or not it'll be retrofittable will depend on the electrics more so than anything physical in the design.

[Pparana]

rocker panels are diff. so is rear bumper side profile has a bulge and a new line. Would have to see in person how it lays out. headlights and taillights, the usual stuff, no one but us would notice.

[The Automotive Enthusiast]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Yep: definitely LED fogs. Though see my post above; there is a body change that's quite significant regarding the lines of the car ...

... and coding options for the 2 Series have always indicated coming LEDs in the taillight nacelle. Whether or not it'll be retrofittable will depend on the electrics more so than anything physical in the design.

They look to be the same design, then again, there is camo on them.

[Viffermike]

Originally Posted by Mo@BMWofFairfax

They look to be the same design, then again, there is camo on them.

(I'm assuming you're talking about the taillights)

Same nacelle size and shape, yes. Design within the nacelle unit, no.

Take a close look at what's visible. There are two horizontal 'ribs' in the translucent lens that suggest a two-tube LED taillight array a la the F30 LCI last year.

[Gabrola]

Originally Posted by Viffermike

Yep: definitely LED fogs. Though see my post above; there is a body change that's quite significant regarding the lines of the car ...

... and coding options for the 2 Series have always indicated coming LEDs in the taillight nacelle. Whether or not it'll be retrofittable will depend on the electrics more so than anything physical in the design.

Yeah I've noticed it now. The F30 LCI lights are retrofittable in the pre-LCI with only an adapter harness needed despite the changes in the bumper lines, so I suspect it should be the same here.