The next BMW 2 Series Coupe, the last sub-3 Series Bimmer with rear-wheel drive, is creeping closer to production.
Spied testing in Sweden, prototypes of the second-generation 2 Series Coupe are still being camouflaged.
We expect the camo will come off soon, with an official debut likely this year.
A leak last year, however, appeared to reveal a model or prototype of the car, and these spy photos point to a car that looks quite similar to that leaked vehicle.
The leaked model featured chunky, aggressive front and rear bumpers and lighting elements distinctive from other BMW models.
Unfortunately, there’s still too much camouflage to tell for sure just how indicative those leaked photos were of the production vehicle.
We do know what the interior will look like, however, thanks to a spy photographer who got up close and personal.
While the dashboard looks to be a straight lift from the BMW 1 Series hatch and 2 Series Gran Coupe, there are some subtle differences such as the infotainment screen enclosure flowing directly into the air vent section below.
The door setup is also different, as the arm rest sweeps upward to form a pull handle.
Speaking of doors, the exterior door handles are also flush-fitted units like those on the upcoming, all-electric iX and i4.
As expected, the coupe will be offered with the company’s latest touchscreen infotainment system, as well as a customisable digital instrumentation cluster.
Confusingly, BMW will continue to apply the 2 Series nameplate to this compact, rear/all-wheel drive coupe in addition to a front/all-wheel drive MPV (Active Tourer) and its four-door coupe sibling (Gran Coupe).
Those models share the UKL2 platform with the redesigned 1 Series hatchback and X1 and X2 crossovers.
Though the 1 Series and X1 have shifted to this front-wheel drive platform, the 2 Series will retain rear-wheel drive. It’s expected to use the same CLAR architecture as the larger BMW 3 Series.
We have yet to see any spy photos of a new convertible variant, which could mean the drop-top 2 Series is getting the axe. That would leave the BMW Z4 roadster and redesigned 4 Series as the brand’s most affordable convertibles.
While inline six-powered 1 Series models died with the shift to the UKL2 platform, we expect such engines to continue in the next 2 Series along with turbocharged four-cylinder engines.
A next-generation M2 also remains likely. The current M2 is powered by a 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder engine with 272kW of power and 465Nm of torque.
A twin-turbo version of the six-pot with 331kW and 550Nm is used in the M2 CS.
By way of comparison, the current range-topping M135i xDrive hatch and M235i xDrive Gran Coupe models are equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo making 225kW and 450Nm.
Current 2 Series
The current rear-wheel drive 2 Series range in Australia comprises coupe and convertible body styles in 220i and 230i guise, packing a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine in two different states of tune.
Above these sit the 3.0-litre turbocharged inline six-powered M240i and M2.
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