Just a few days ago, we were in Germany test driving the first ever 2 Series with a front-wheel drive architecture. The 2 Series Gran Coupe is the first ever four-door coupe for the popular 2 Series family, which will be accompanied in the near future by a “regular” 2 Series Coupe. Over the last few years there have been several contradictory reports that either placed the 2er Coupe in the FWD or RWD column.
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But we came back from Munich with some good news. Several BMW sources, including a statement by BMW CTO Klaus Fröhlich, state that the next year’s 2 Series Coupe will retain its beloved rear-wheel drive platform and will continue to give you fans a dynamic and spirited driving experience.
“This is our Flexible Cluster Architecture. This is in our rear-wheel drive cars; from the 2 successor up to the X7,” Fröhlich said.
Since the BMW 2 Series Coupe retains the rear-wheel drive, the future of the M240i and M2 sports models is also secured. It is also clear that BMW will emphasize the special role of the coupe regardless of the engine.
But the biggest rumor comes from the apparent cancelation of the BMW 2 Series Convertible. The open version of the 2 Series, which was previously offered as the coupe with a rear-wheel drive, is rumored to be omitted from the next generation of 2 Series cars. The role of the open compact is apparently taken over by BMW Z4 Roadster and the larger BMW 4 Series Convertible. The lack of any 2 Series Convertible prototype being tested this year sustains that theory.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe seems to be a good looking car EXCEPT for the (FWD-seem-to-be-required) Hood Lone in the middle of nowhere. If it had a hood line correctly placed it’d have a great looking front with a loooong hood.
I agree. That could have been a real nice replacement for my M140i but fwd is unacceptable for me. And yes, when BMW claims it’s available with xDrixe, then i say: yes with even more cumbersome steering, more weight, worse weightdistribution and a loud, annoying, weedwhacker of an engine for 50k€ No thanks.
but its going to have the same ugly front as the 1 series? can see it already.. the rest will probably be nice but just the front is like a 2 series active tourer
Why would new rwd. Coupe look like defunct MPV?
Are you referring to the pic above the article? This is the FWD 2 GC … so there is still hope that the 2 series coupe looks different.
It will
It will have the same front as the 1 series or it will look different?
have not seen the car
it better have a different nicer front that the 1 series or im going to be Very disappointed and so will be many others :(
This is great news! I recently started thinking about getting a current gen 240 thinking it’s the last opportunity to buy this form factor and layout. But now they have a future. Hope they get everything right on the new model.
Since M2 gets BMW the most positive free publicity of their current model range, makes no sense to ditch their p.r. cash cow. The fact they’re still developing the current M2 also bodes well for new rwd.
Aah. RWD sanity prevails.
“true” reason? What would be the false reason you suppose? Driveshaft tunnel or not, the F40 has more interior space than the F20.
Okay at least there will be a coupé !
Great news! Please don’t be ugly or force joined up black grilles on us.
Sorry, but what’s the breaking news in here? It’s already bespoke that there still will be a RWD 2series Coupe.
But what about the engine? Still R6? An a manual available?
Bespoke? Of course inline six will be available. Manuals? Likely yes but probably in US
Bespoke was the wrong vocabulary, sorry. I changed it.
A manual in US only?
That was the indication a while back but let’s see. Haven’t heard anything official.
At least BMW gets another chance to rectify the mistake of using the UKL chassis for the 2 Series GC.
sorry but I did not understand .. the new 2 series gran coupe (5 doors) will be front wheel drive, while the new 2 series coupe (3 doors) will remain rear wheel drive?
Exactly!
Thanks! exit date ?
So the new M240i will be remain 6 cylinders and 340HP engine ? I am looking forward it !
Exit date??
I love my 2019 230i xDrive Convertible. I didn’t want the 4 series convertible since it just seemed too big and I like having the back seat even though I rarely have passengers back there so I didn’t want a Z4 roadster. It is great that the next 2 series will still be RWD based but it is very disappointing to hear that BMW is rumored not to continue the Convertible. I had planned to replace my 230i Convertible with a M240i Convertible in a few years but if they don’t exist I may finally buy the Porsche 911 Cabriolet I have always thought about owning.