BMW has announced the third model in its 2 Series portfolio, the 2 Series Convertible. It will join the 2 Series Coupe and 2 Series Active Tourer in the lineup and will replace the 1 Series Convertible, the most successful car in its class with global sales of more than 130,000 units, and the only one with rear-wheel drive.
The 2 Series Convertible is longer by 72mm and wider by 26mm than the model it replaces, and has a wheelbase, which has been elongated by 30mm.
The stretched silhouette of the 2 Series Convertible emphasises the tell-tale BMW design characteristics of a long bonnet and wheelbase, short overhangs and a rear-biased cabin. Air Curtains in the front apron channel air to outlets in the front side panels, reducing turbulence in the wheel arches to enhance fuel efficiency.
The electrically operated folding soft-top lowers or raises in just 20 seconds at the touch of a button, and can be carried out at speeds of just over 48km/h.
Additional insulation in the skin of the soft-top improves acoustic comfort, with a 4db noise reduction, and adds to the year-round usability of the car. Improved aerodynamics, with a Cd of just 0.31, also helps to make the cabin quieter. An easier-to-use optional wind deflector provides greater protection against turbulence when travelling top-down.
The interior has been deliberately kept as simple as possible, with layered surfaces, driver-focused controls, clear instruments and a Sport or M Sport leather-covered multi-function steering wheel. Rear access benefits from an 11mm wider aperture when the front seats are tilted forwards. Luggage capacity has also increased by 30 litres to 335 litres, making it the largest boot in its class. A through-loading system is optionally available to increase versatility.
Four BMW TwinPower Turbo engines endow the 2 Series Convertible with superior performance over its predecessor, with an average 18 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions.
The engines include a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance power unit for the M235i. There are also two 2.0-litre petrol engines available, the 220i and 228i. All are more powerful than the engines in the previous model and meet EU6 emissions standards.
The new 2.0-litre diesel engine develops 14bhp and 50Nm of torque more than the previous unit, with greater efficiency. The combined fuel economy is 27.3km/L with the eight-speed automatic gearbox, while CO2 emissions are 116g/km.
The M Performance 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine in the M235i develops 326bhp and 450Nm of torque from only 1,300rpm with the aid of twin-scroll turbocharging, high-precision centrally positioned multi-hole direct injectors, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. Acceleration from 0 to 100km/h is achieved in five seconds with the automatic gearbox yet combined fuel economy is 15.2km/L in the automatic, while CO2 emissions are 184g/km.
M Sport suspension and braking system, with model-specific tuning, are standard on the 228i and M235i, which also has custom-tuned Variable Sport steering. The suspension set-up and damping of the range-topping model takes into account, not only its exceptional performance, but also the characteristics introduced by its soft-roof. Options include a BMW M Performance limited-slip differential.
