The new BMW 2 Series Coupé G42 it is approaching with great strides, and is expected to be unveiled later in the summer—probably at the first edition of the Munich Salon in September.
In anticipation, BMW released the first images of the model, still camouflaged, at the start of the last phase of the dynamic tests that will take place on the circuit, at the same time releasing the first information about what we can expect from its new coupé.
As we can see, camouflage and all, is that unlike the larger 4 Series Coupé, the smaller 2 Series Coupé won't have a mega double vertical rim. We see two horizontal openings surmounting the front of the coupé, which should appease many opinions.
All the same and that's good
Perhaps the main novelty of the G42 is that there really isn't… novelty: the new 2 Series Coupé remains faithful to its predecessor's architecture, in other words, it will continue to be a rear-wheel drive coupé (or all-wheel drive) with the engine placed in a longitudinal position.
The 2 Series family will thus remain BMW's most diverse and fragmented. We have the “all ahead” (transverse engine and front-wheel drive) in MPV format (Series 2 Active Tourer and Series 2 Gran Tourer) and sedan with a coupé air (Series 2 Gran Coupé), which will be joined this year by this coupé. “classic” architecture — the Series 2 Convertible does away with the current generation — making it unique among its peers.
BMW's smallest coupé, however, won't continue to be all that small: the wheelbase will be longer and the tracks wider. Beneath its typical rear-wheel-drive proportions — long hood, recessed cabin — we find the CLAR, the same platform as the larger 3 Series and 4 Series as well as the Z4.
In fact, the new 2 Series Coupé and the Z4 roadster will be closer than ever. They will not only share the respective kinematic chains (engines and transmissions), but also integral parts of the CLAR, as well as the suspension schemes — Macpherson at the front and multi-link at the rear — with the latter being optionally adaptive (Adaptive) M Chassis).
BMW promises additional torsional stiffness ratings (another 12%) for the G42, which should benefit its dynamic skills as well as its steering precision (optionally it will have variable ratio steering, Variable Sports Steering).
Aerodynamics also received special attention from BMW engineers. In addition to the spoiler, splitter and air curtains at the front, an aerodynamic cover was added to the fuel tank and rear axle, as well as the design of the suspension brackets were optimized. The end result, says BMW, is a 50% reduction in lift on the front axle compared to its predecessor.
And engines?
Under the long hood, expect to find the same powertrains as the Z4 and other BMWs. That is, the four-cylinder 2.0 l turbo (B48), gasoline, for the 220i and 230i, just as it seems to be more than right a Diesel 220d, also with 2.0 l and four cylinders (B47).
Above these will reside the M240i xDrive Coupe . Again, topping the range of the Series 2 Coupé, we will have a 3.0 l turbocharged inline six-cylinder (B58), which will deliver, officially confirmed, 374 hp (34 hp more than the predecessor).
However, if in the current M240i it was possible to choose between rear and all-wheel drive and manual or automatic transmission, in the new M240i we will only have the automatic option Steptronic Sport with eight speeds and all-wheel drive.
And the M2?
For a new Series 2 Coupé equipped with the inline six-cylinder, rear-wheel drive and manual gearbox it looks like we'll have to wait for 2023 (not 2022 as originally advanced), the year the new M2 will arrive — which receives the specific code G87. A model that we have already dealt with in more detail in the article that you can read or reread below:
