The 2016 BMW 2 Series is an exception in BMW’s current lineup, and there aren’t any direct opponents from elsewhere. It comes as either a soft-top convertible or a coupe, along with the sort of performance-biased approach BMW has edged away from currently in its quest for greater comfort.
Whether powered by an anxious turbocharged 4-cylinder engine (228i) or a sweet decent inline 6-cylinder engine (M235i), the 2 Series is among the most engaging cars BMW creates. It is compact, balanced, sprightly, agile, and swift, yet still comfy and upscale. You should keep a sharp eye on the options, though. They can quite easily send the bottom line soaring into 4 Series or pristine, utilized M3 territory.
The all-wheel-drive M235i xDrive Convertible is a very fresh model for this year. In the 228i, Sport seats have become standard. Features from the previously optional Premium bundle have been purely absorbed into the M235i’s inventory of standard equipment. And a Luxury package along with chrome exterior accents has been launched.
All 2 Series models start with back-wheel drive and an 8-speed automatic (non-manual) transmission. A 6-speed manual transmission is a no-cost option along with this drive setup. All-wheel drive (proposed only with the automatic) is an option on all models.
The active 228i Coupe has a powerful turbocharged 2.0-litre inline 4-cylinder engine creating 240 horsepower and 255 lb-ft of torque. When paired with the automatic transmission, the economy of fuel is estimated at 23 miles per gallon in the city, 35 mpg on the highway and 27 mpg mixed, regardless of how many driven wheels.
The manual transmission outcomes in 22 mpg city/34 mpg hwy/26 mpg combined. Normally, it’s the same engine in the automatic-only 228i Convertible, but fuel consumption varies slightly: 23 mpg city/34 mpg hwy/27 mpg merged with back-wheel drive and 22 mpg city/34 mpg hwy/26 mpg combined with all-wheel drive.
The M235i relishes a turbocharged 3.0-litre inline 6-cylinder engine rated at almost 320 hp and 330 lb-ft of torque. Both the back-drive/automatic coupe and convertible give back a still-respectable 20 mpg city/31 mpg hwy/24 mpg combined.
The manual transmission adjusts those figures to 19 mpg city/28 mpg hwy/22 mpg combined particularly for the coupe and 19 mpg city/22 mpg hwy/26 mpg combined for the convertible. Both smart M235i xDrive body styles return 20 mpg city/30 mpg hwy/23 mpg combined.
The 2 Series observes small and taut from the driver’s seat, and that is a welcome variation from BMW’s recent luxury theme. It is even smaller from the back seat, which normally remains a kids-only affair, but we are used to that from the near 1 Series, the 2 Series’ predecessor.
Fortunately, interior materials have improved a lot as compared to the basic 1 Series. The 2 Series leaves no ambiguity that it’s here only to entertain. The drive is supple and refined, yet the car’s main focus is mainly on razor-sharp responses, which makes it remarkable, especially in light of its reasonable pricing. The entrance-level 4-cylinder engine feels just like it’s punching above its declared output numbers, as per BMW’s norm.
As amazing as the M235i’s engine feels (and sounds) at entire throttle, it probably carries a premium of $11,000 in coupe form, and that may not be really worth the few tenths of a second shaved from the acceleration runs. The manual’s shift action is awesome, but the ultra-smooth automatic gets much better fuel economy, which is also something one must keep in mind.
There will be a lot of fun in taking this car and getting the chance to really explore its abilities. It will surely be an excitement to drive.
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