BMW has released official images of its new 2 Series Coupe, and announced that production of its established 1 Series will be discontinued in 2014.
[Not a valid template]The new 2 Series follows the trend of its even-numbered counterpart the 4 Series (which crankandpiston.com took for a spin in Portugal earlier this year) in establishing a new coupe era in the BMW fold. The new arrival is set to make its international debut at the 2014 Detroit Motor Show next January, ending a 10-year production run of the 1 Series in the process..
As well as being 108 millimetres longer than the BMW 1 Series and 72 millimetres longer than the outgoing BMW 1 Series Coupe, the new Coupe is 26mm wider than its predecessor (at 1,774mm), has a 30mm longer wheelbase (2,690mm) and wider tracks (41mm more at the front, 43mm more at the rear). The 2 Series also boasts BMW’s bold new design style with a long bonnet, aggressively designed front bumper, and low sweeping roofline.
Two engine packages have also been confirmed for the new 2 Series Coupe. Options include the 184hp four-cylinder engine in the new 220i, and the 326hp six-cylinder unit in the M235i. That all-important ‘M’ badge and souped up six-cylinder makes the M235i the most powerful petrol-driven M car on BMW’s line-up.
Interestingly, BMW has decided against producing a conventional 235i package in an effort to boost the sporting nature of the new coupe. Like the 4 Series, the new Coupe uses an eight-speed transmission for improved fuel economy, though a six-speed manual is optional.
– Shots courtesy of BMW
