[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

Video: BMW M235i Continues Testing at The Ring Ahead of 2014 Detroit Debut

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The M235i / 2 Series is due soon and while we wait, it's undergoing some final performance testing on the Nurburgring, where it's said by BMW to be able to beat the 1M Coupe.

Klaus Froehlich, Senior Vice President Brand and Product Strategies at BMW recently revealed these little tidbits:

The M235i is as close a spiritual successor to the 2002ti that we've had. My initial benchmark was that it will be faster than the BMW 1M Coupe around the Nurburgring, which it is."I have just signed off the M235i’s M Sport performance kit, which will include a proper limited slip differential. I’m just working out whether to make this an option on all models.

Although the M235i remains in camouflage, it's not hard to imagine what's underneath as we've previously shown you a nearly fully uncovered model (reposted below). The M235i will feature the same powerplant and mechanicals as the acclaimed M135i hatchback.

The following is an in-person testimony from Swadeness who was at the Nurburgring and witnessed the M235i prototype during testing:

Originally Posted by Swadeness

I can't wait either! I was at the ring today and got to see it do 10 laps or so and it looked great. Standing on the side of the track I couldn't tell any speed difference between it and the M3 and M4 test cars. The sound was pretty close to them as we'll but just a little quieter...very N55ish (obviously). I think this car is a manual as it did not have the very distinctive snort/fart the M3 and 4 did on their gear change.

The M235i and 228i coupe will be the first 2 Series models available in the US. Both models will begin production in November 2013, as a 2014 model year. Expect deliveries beginning late 2013 - early 2014.

Look here for the first official details on the 2 Series lineup beginning in early Fall, followed by a debut at the 2014 NAIAS in Detroit in January.

Follow our 2 Series news, coverage, and updates @ http://www.bimmerpost.com/2-series/

BMW M235i Revealed

[Nixide]

I can't wait!

[Greenkirby21]

I find it interesting how we know so little about the car. Is that good or bad? Haha.

The CLA45 AMG begins production and sale at around the same time, but we know its specs, price, colors, options, etc.

Heck I think we know more about the M4 at this point

But it's passing a cayman in the video so that's good

[Swadeness]

Originally Posted by Nixide

I can't wait!

I can't wait either! I was at the ring today and got to see it do 10 laps or so and it looked great. Standing on the side of the track I couldn't tell any speed difference between it and the M3 and M4 test cars. The sound was pretty close to them as we'll but just a little quieter...very N55ish (obviously). I think this car is a manual as it did not have the very distinctive snort/fart the M3 and 4 did on their gear change.

[Nixide]

We should be able to place an order for the car quite soon, correct? Does that mean we will be receiving additional information and media (ordering guide, official photos, etc.) before November production since it won't debut until January at NAIAS around the same time they will get delivered? I'm a little confused...

[Uneedthis2]

I can't wait to get mine.

[Swadeness]

Just a crappy IPhone pic but you can tell its got a sunroof....I think the color may be Carbon Black or some other really dark blue.

[ScarecrowBoat]

ahhh so excited. Hope you can get one well equipped for $42ish out the door.

[Uneedthis2]

For $42 out the door, I'll take 1000 of them!

Really though, I've been trying to figure it out, from pictures it looks like the blue calipers are 4 piston in the front and 2 piston in the rear, is this what everyone else is gathering or did I miss reading that part somewhere?

[Red Bread]

Originally Posted by Uneedthis2

For $42 out the door, I'll take 1000 of them!

Really though, I've been trying to figure it out, from pictures it looks like the blue calipers are 4 piston in the front and 2 piston in the rear, is this what everyone else is gathering or did I miss reading that part somewhere?

Haha, agreed. Our 2008 135i wasn't that cheap, I can't imagine six or seven years of price increases and more technology will work in your favor.

You do appear about to be correct about the brakes. The M135i setup is that way at least.

Fronts:


Rears:

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by ScarecrowBoat

ahhh so excited. Hope you can get one well equipped for $42ish out the door.

Where did you get that figure? A current E82 135i has an MSRP ranging from $40-45k if it's "well equipped" and not even loaded. An M235i with decent options will probably go for $45-50k, my guess being closer to the latter. The price will only go up with the new generation.

[ScarecrowBoat]

Originally Posted by Year's_End

Where did you get that figure? A current E82 135i has an MSRP ranging from $40-45k if it's "well equipped" and not even loaded. An M235i with decent options will probably go for $45-50k, my guess being closer to the latter. The price will only go up with the new generation.

Talking about what people will actually be paying, not MSRP. Might still be too optimistic though, didn't realize the 135i's were so expensive.

[warmtoes]

Originally Posted by Nixide

We should be able to place an order for the car quite soon, correct? Does that mean we will be receiving additional information and media (ordering guide, official photos, etc.) before November production since it won't debut until January at NAIAS around the same time they will get delivered? I'm a little confused...

I don't get it either. Why would it debut in January 2014 at NAIAS but delivery would be late 2013 or early 2014? How could you order one without it debuting? Is it the difference between the European and North American deliveries?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by warmtoes

I don't get it either. Why would it debut in January 2014 at NAIAS but delivery would be late 2013 or early 2014? How could you order one without it debuting?

Look at the 4 series. It won't have its auto show debut until Frankfurt (next month), but its production has already started, as well as pricing/ordering info already being released ahead of its auto show debut.

[Diver]

Faster than a 1M at the track, that is hot stuff. I wonder if the driver's seat is a bit lower than in the 135i.

[Greenkirby21]

Originally Posted by Jason

Look at the 4 series. It won't have its auto show debut until Frankfurt (next month), but its production has already started, as well as pricing/ordering info already being released ahead of its auto show debut.

I think what we mean is Internet reveal or more information. We already know what the 4 series looks like and what options it has at what price, even though it's full reveal has not occurred yet.

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Greenkirby21

I think what we mean is Internet reveal or more information. We already know what the 4 series looks like and what options it has at what price, even though it's full reveal has not occurred yet.

My post says expect information beginning in the Fall

[brio]

Wow! This is going to be a truly amazing car. I just hope there's enough units to go around.

[Wakka]

At least it beat that cayman i guess. Still dont know anything about the car really though.

[aajami]

For tearing around the track as fast as it's going, it's really quiet.

[wdeerfield]

how soon before we start seeing the m235i gran coupe?

definitely looking forward to xdrive in the 1/2 series for the states. it'd be like getting my old e46 back with new tech!

[Splinterz88]

If the m235 is faster than the 1m we have a lot to look forward to in the m2.