[Jason]

BIMMERPOST NEWS

BMW 2 Series Coupe and Convertible Come Alive in First Spy Video

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We bring you the first live look and listen at the BMW 2 Series Coupe (F22) and Convertible (F23), from cold climate testing in Sweden. Seen and heard in our video are various models, including not limited, to the M235i and 228i models (all sounding great we must say). It's likely that at least some of the cars here are AWD xDrive models testing performance in the snow.

The M235i coupe (315 HP) is already confirmed for the US (see VIN details and spy photos). Production will begin in November 2013, for an 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014). There will be no 235i model in the US or elsewhere, as the M235i will take its place in the lineup.

The M235i will be joined by the 228i coupe in the US. The 228i coupe will also begin production this November. The production 2 Series will be revealed in the Fall, with its public debut potentially coming at the 2013 Frankfurt auto show this September.

As the VIN thread linked above shows, Europe will see additional models, including a 220i, 225i, 218d, 220d and 225d.

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

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[tpm17]

Awesome! Can't wait!

[Venom]

Does " 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014)" mean limited production?

[Jason]

Originally Posted by Venom

Does " 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014)" mean limited production?

It just means a stub year (not full 12 months) for the first model year.

[Palle]

I´m surprised about the sound ... great for a 2 series

[dmboone25]

Exhaust sounds good on both motors.

I'm actually getting excited about this car - not crazy about the N55 but I'm hoping the body is pretty, ala E46

[DASHOCKER]

the second car in the convoy sounds fantastic! the turbo was spooling.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by Jason

It just means a stub year (not full 12 months) for the first model year.

Oh ok, I am just having a hard time grasping the M235i and M2 being produced side by side(in the same lineup). Especially if the I4 rumors persist.

[bimmerjph]

Sounds good. Actually moderately excited. Hopefully they don't have a sound generator in it.

[MrClean335i]

Originally Posted by Venom

Oh ok, I am just having a hard time grasping the M235i and M2 being produced side by side(in the same lineup). Especially if the I4 rumors persist.

I think the 4cyl is just a rumor. Doesnt make sense to offer the M234i as an 6 cyl and the M2 as a 4 cyl.

[Venom]

Originally Posted by MrClean335i

I think the 4cyl is just a rumor. Doesnt make sense to offer the M234i as an 6 cyl and the M2 as a 4 cyl.

Exactly but Mercedes-Benz does have a 360-380hp AMG A class with a turbo 4

[OverDriven]

I highly doubt that sound is coming from a 4 cylinder. Sounds great. I'm kind of excited. I'm just praying they lose some of the curvy/bubbly lines of the 1 series because that's probably the biggest turn off for me - they look a bit feminine and lack the hard, sculpted lines of other BMW cars.

[twerle]

When I see a video like that is when I realize that my JOB SUCKS!

Can you image how would be to work at BMW testing cars and super bikes and make more than you do?

It must be hard!

[wdeerfield]

they had 4 cars, 2 rwd and 2 awd?

[MrClean335i]

Originally Posted by Venom

Exactly but Mercedes-Benz does have a 360-380hp AMG A class with a turbo 4

Good point.

[rpagianotto]

Well, let's not forget that the e30 m3 had a 4-pot, even though there were regular production 3er models fitted with i6 engines...

If they manage to come up with a 4 cylinder engine that performs better than the n55 on the m235i, I really don't see why would the cylinder count stop BMW from using it on the M2.

That said, however good the s14 might have been, i'd prefer an i6 even if it is just for the sake of its sound!

[Zebra99]

It doesn't make sense that the M235i is a 6cyl and the up'd model, M2 be a 4cyl with more power...sounds very silly.

And just imagine this...tune an M235i with a Piggyback and it'll rape the doors off an M2 with a similar tune if its a 4cyl. It'll likely be a de-tuned version of the M4. 2 less turbos and maybe a less aggressive cam and not water cooled. They could still achieve that 360hp they keep talking about.

[Bowser330]

Not sure if its been mentioned but the M235i could just be one of the best performance bargains released by BMW on par with the 1M, with such a tunable engine (N55) in such a lightweight car its potential for a super car power/weight ratio is tremendous.

M135i weight = 3168lbs (lets assume M235i weighs the same)
M235i weight = 3168lbs
M5 weight = 4114lbs

M235i = N55 tuned with ~$2K in modifications (tune, dp, ic, meth/e85, etc) = 400whp = 7.9lbs/whp

New M5 = 527whp = 7.8lbs/whp

Ferrari 458 = 450whp; weight = 3274lbs = 7.3lbs/whp

[Frozone]

Originally Posted by rpagianotto

If they manage to come up with a 4 cylinder engine that performs better than the n55 on the m235i, I really don't see why would the cylinder count stop BMW from using it on the M2.

Exactly. I really hope that people aren't fearing the possibility of M2 < M235i simply because of cylinder count.

In my opinion, M2 < M235i is inconceivable.

[rpagianotto]

Originally Posted by Frozone

Exactly. I really hope that people aren't fearing the possibility of M2 < M235i simply because of cylinder count.

In my opinion, M2 < M235i is inconceivable.

Even though an i6 turbo would be, in theory, easier to come up with extra power through simple mods than an i4, we need to consider that the i4 could be considerably lighter (100-150 lbs would not be an exaggeration), and therefore contribute to better handling capabilities of the m2 over the m235i.
And a lower kerb weight is not the only aspect we're looking at here - an i4 has another advantage when it comes to weight distribution, as it is significantly shorter in lenght than an i6, and thus can be mounted further back from the front axle.

If you read the reviews of the f30 328i vs. 335i, you'll see that the press has been unanimous in stating that the 328i is better around corners.

Anyway, I'm just trying to draw the silver lining here because, as I said earlier, I'd personally prefer if the m2 came with a new i6.

[Thurman Murch]

I'd be stoked to know the power level of the s20

[Diver]

This business with only offering an M235i and no vanilla 235i confirms my suspicion that high performance cars are being rationed due to fuel consumption rules. Manufacturers will control the mix with higher margins on the faster cars. They will not sell as many units but the profits will be there and fewer mileage credits will be used up from the more fuel efficient models.