BMW drops diesel 2 Series Coupe

BMW Australia has ditched the diesel and introduced new-generation petrol engines to its sporty 2 Series Coupe and Convertible range as part of running changes that also include additional specification and tweaked pricing.

The 220d Coupe – there was no 220d Convertible – has been dropped, reflecting the relatively low take-up of diesel sportscars in Australia.

Last month just 13 per cent of all local 2 Series Coupe sales were for the diesel variant.

As per changes to the 1 Series, BMW has altered the variant names, with the 228i becoming the 230i and the M235i now the M240i.

The refreshed 2 Series gains BMW’s new 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, dubbed the B48, that replaces the unit from the 220i and is also found in the 1 Series.

The new engine delivers 135kW and 270Nm, representing an increase of 5kW and 20Nm respectively, with a 0-100km/h sprint time that appears to have risen from 7.0 seconds in the previous 220i Coupe to 7.2s when matched with the eight-speed automatic transmission.

The 220i Convertible takes 7.7s to cover the same distance. In line with BMW’s policy, a six-speed manual gearbox is a no-cost option across the range.

Fuel consumption in the 220i Coupe is down to 5.8 litres per 100km from 6.0L/100km, while CO2 emissions have dropped from 138g/km to 133g/km. In the Convertible, the figures are 6.1L/100km and 138g/km.

Pricing has risen by $2400 to $51,300 for the 220i Coupe and to $58,300 for the Convertible. The drop-top represents a $7000 premium over the hardtop.

BMW says the addition of new standard equipment for the base variant makes up for the price increase. It gains bi-Xenon headlights, a headlight washer system, anti-dazzle exterior mirrors with fold-in and auto parking functions, an interior lights package, extended contents on the interior cluster and Driving Assistant.

The 230i uses the new B48 turbo petrol engine in a higher state of tune, pumping out 185kW – an increase of 5kW over the 228i – and 350Nm, good for a 0-100km/h time of 5.6 seconds in the Coupe, 0.1s quicker than before, when matched with the eight-speed auto. Convertible versions do the dash in 5.9s.

Fuel use has dropped by 0.4L to 5.9L/100km and CO2 emissions are 134g/km in the Coupe, while the 230i Convertible drinks 6.2L/100km and emits 142g/km.

Prices for the 230i are up by $2000 for the Coupe over the 228i at $61,900, while the Convertible has jumped by $3000 to $71,900.

The M Sport package is standard on 230i, but the Luxury Line that includes a premium 12-speaker harmon/kardon audio system and front seat electric lumbar support is a no-cost option.

Also new to the 230i standard features list is M Sport brakes, an M rear spoiler for the Coupe, 18-inch light alloy wheels, anti-dazzle exterior mirrors with fold-in and auto parking functions, Hexagon cloth/Alcantara upholstery for the Coupe and Dakota leather in the Convertible, Navigation System Professional, Comfort Access, electric seat adjustment, Driving Assistant, an interior lights package and extended contents on the interior cluster.

At the top of the range – not counting the ballistic M2 Coupe that has not changed – is the M240i which gains a new 3.0-litre turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine pumping out 250kW and 500Nm, a 10kW and 50Nm improvement over the M235i.

The 0-100km/h dash is 0.2s quicker at 4.6s for the Coupe (4.7s in the Convertible), while fuel economy has dropped by 0.6L to 7.1L/100km (7.4L Convertible) and CO2 emissions are down to 163g/km (169g Convertible).

Prices for the M240i have dropped by $2600 with the Coupe now starting at $74,900 and the drop-top is down to $83,900.

Updates to the standard features list include Adaptive Headlights with Selective Beam, 12-speaker harmon/kardon audio system, anti-dazzle exterior mirrors with fold-in and auto parking functions, Comfort Access, electric seat adjustment, electric lumbar support, Driving Assistant and heated front seats on the Coupe.

Sales of the 2 Series Coupe and Convertible are up by 24.2 per cent to the end of July, with 1302 units shifted. Some of that growth can be attributed to the M2 that arrived earlier in the year and has already sold out of its Australian allocation.

The 2 Series is the third best seller in the sub-$80,000 sportscar segment so far this year behind Ford’s wildly popular Mustang on 3118 sales and the Toyota 86 on 1389.

2016 BMW 2 Series pricing*

Coupe
220i (a)	$51,300
230i (a)	$61,900
M240i (a)	$74,900
Convertible
220i (a)	$58,300
230i (a)	$71,900
M240i (a)	$83,900

*Excludes on-road costs