One of the car industry’s worst-kept secrets has been leaked ahead of its reveal.
A single photo of the 2022 BMW 2 Series coupe, set to be unveiled on July 8, 2021, has found its way onto the internet courtesy of Instagram user Wilco Blok.
The leak appears to confirm an earlier leak all the way back in April 2020 was indeed accurate.
That means the redesigned coupe has dramatic, triangular front air intakes but a refreshingly slim double-kidney grille, eschewing the plunging, double-coffin grille of the new M3 and M4.
The vertical slats inside the grille appear to be concave for a more sculpted look.
The headlights have a prominent, angular LED lighting element, as is becoming increasingly common on BMW products, but have only a single ‘eye’.
It’s finished in a rich violet BMW Blog says will have the evocative name Thundernight Metallic.
While the rear has yet to be leaked – this year, that is – we’ve seen in past photos the tail lights have their own LED signature, distinct from the rest of the BMW range.
The 2 Series’ proportions are classic rear-wheel drive coupe, with a long bonnet and short rear deck.
BMW has yet to confirm if the redesigned 2 Series is bound for our shores, but given Australia’s penchant for performance cars it’s almost certain to come Down Under.
Unlike the 2 Series Gran Coupe – which is built on the same front-wheel drive platform as the 1 Series and X1 – the new 2 Series will be rear- or all-wheel drive.
It’s built on a variation of the same CLAR platform as the 3 Series, and BMW has confirmed it will pack a 3.0-litre inline-six engine and an eight-speed automatic in range-topping M240i xDrive trim.
With 275kW of power, expect it to be properly rapid in a straight line.
BMW also says the 2022 2 Series will have a near 50/50 weight distribution and a stiff body for sharp handling.
Want more excitement? A proper M2 is expected to follow the M240i, and it’s likely to be rear-drive.
The current 2 Series was revealed in 2014 as a coupe and convertible twin to the 1 Series hatchback, though the 1 Series has since been redesigned and has transitioned to a front/all-wheel drive platform.
That leaves the 2 Series as the lone rear-driver in this segment, at least in Australia. In markets like North America, the Cadillac CT4 offers rear/all-wheel drive but is offered only as a sedan.
We’ve yet to see any spy photos of a redesigned convertible model, which could mean sun-loving buyers will have to step up to the larger 4 Series.
