The new BMW 2 Series Coupe: Final development
- Oleg Satanovsky
- Alexander Schmuck
- 230i and M240i xDrive Coupes to be launched first.
- 230i xDrive and M240i Coupes to follow.
- Full start of communications and start of production in Summer of 2021.
The new BMW 2 Series Coupe is in the final stretch of its development as dynamic testing and drivetrain and suspension tuning is finalized. The two-door compact sports car features numerous hallmark ingredients, unique in the premium compact segment, to deliver an exhilarating driving experience. Rear-wheel drive, a powerful inline 6-cylinder engine, near 50:50 weight distribution, a very torsionally stiff body and a chassis tuned for agility all combine to make the new 2 Series Coupe a leader in its class.
BMW 2002 DNA
The legacy and traits of the original BMW 2002 live on in the new 2 Series Coupes which begin production in late summer of 2021. Available in both rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive variants, the compact, powerful and agile, the driver-oriented two-door coupes are designed to meet the expectations of the most discerning BMW enthusiasts.
During the development of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe, the test and tuning sessions on the famed Nurburgring’s Nordschleife served as the ultimate test for the suspension, chassis, steering and braking systems. Additional tuning on public country roads around Munich and at the BMW Group test facility in Maisach, Germany ensure that the driving qualities of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe will be enjoyable during every drive. Through rigorous testing of drivetrain and chassis systems, the development engineers can ensure that the engine’s performance characteristics go hand-in-hand with precisely balanced traction, handling and comfort in varied weather and road conditions.
New M240i models
The M version of the new 2 Series Coupe, the M240i xDrive, sees a power increase of 47 hp to a new output of 382 hp from its 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine. That power is transferred, in the initial model offering, to the rear-biased BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system through a standard 8-speed Sport Steptronic automatic transmission. The xDrive all-wheel drive systems sees additional benefits from the fully-variable, electrically controlled M sports rear differential which allows both systems to combine in delivering excellent traction and stability during both lateral and straight-line lateral acceleration.
Aerodynamic details, such as the front lip spoiler, front splitter, air curtains, air deflectors and under floor covers for the fuel tank and rear differential reduce front end lift by 50 percent when compared to the predecessor model.
Improved torsional rigidity, suspension and steering
All models of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe benefit from an increase in torsional stiffness by around 12 percent when compared to the predecessor models and from increased front and rear tracks to improve agility. The new shock absorbers respond more accurately to slight road imperfections and compensate for vibrations to improve comfort. The available Adaptive M suspension includes electronically controlled shock absorbers and a choice of settings to improve both dynamic and comfort-oriented driving.
The steering on the new BMW 2 Series Coupe features new, stiffer support bearings on the front axle to improve feel. Available Variable Sports Steering improves both dynamic driving feel and reduces steering effort during parking maneuvers.
BMW Group in the United States.
BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.
Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.
The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 144 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com
BMW 2002 DNA
The legacy and traits of the original BMW 2002 live on in the new 2 Series Coupes which begin production in late summer of 2021. Available in both rear-wheel drive and xDrive all-wheel drive variants, the compact, powerful and agile, the driver-oriented two-door coupes are designed to meet the expectations of the most discerning BMW enthusiasts.
During the development of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe, the test and tuning sessions on the famed Nurburgring’s Nordschleife served as the ultimate test for the suspension, chassis, steering and braking systems. Additional tuning on public country roads around Munich and at the BMW Group test facility in Maisach, Germany ensure that the driving qualities of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe will be enjoyable during every drive. Through rigorous testing of drivetrain and chassis systems, the development engineers can ensure that the engine’s performance characteristics go hand-in-hand with precisely balanced traction, handling and comfort in varied weather and road conditions.
New M240i models
The M version of the new 2 Series Coupe, the M240i xDrive, sees a power increase of 47 hp to a new output of 382 hp from its 3.0-liter inline 6-cylinder TwinPower turbocharged engine. That power is transferred, in the initial model offering, to the rear-biased BMW xDrive all-wheel drive system through a standard 8-speed Sport Steptronic automatic transmission. The xDrive all-wheel drive systems sees additional benefits from the fully-variable, electrically controlled M sports rear differential which allows both systems to combine in delivering excellent traction and stability during both lateral and straight-line lateral acceleration.
Aerodynamic details, such as the front lip spoiler, front splitter, air curtains, air deflectors and under floor covers for the fuel tank and rear differential reduce front end lift by 50 percent when compared to the predecessor model.
Improved torsional rigidity, suspension and steering
All models of the new BMW 2 Series Coupe benefit from an increase in torsional stiffness by around 12 percent when compared to the predecessor models and from increased front and rear tracks to improve agility. The new shock absorbers respond more accurately to slight road imperfections and compensate for vibrations to improve comfort. The available Adaptive M suspension includes electronically controlled shock absorbers and a choice of settings to improve both dynamic and comfort-oriented driving.
The steering on the new BMW 2 Series Coupe features new, stiffer support bearings on the front axle to improve feel. Available Variable Sports Steering improves both dynamic driving feel and reduces steering effort during parking maneuvers.
BMW Group in the United States.
BMW of North America, LLC was established 50 years ago to support the sales, marketing and distribution of BMW automobiles in the U.S. BMW Motorrad was brought into the fold in 1980. In 1993 BMW Group Financial Services NA, LLC was founded, and one year later BMW Manufacturing Co., LLC began assembling vehicles in South Carolina. In 2002 and 2003, BMW Group established MINI USA, and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars NA, LLC relaunching two iconic brands and rounding out its product portfolio.
Today, the BMW Group has a nationwide corporate footprint in the U.S. which consists of nearly 30 locations in 12 different states. Beyond the National Sales Company and Financial Services headquarters in Woodcliff Lake, NJ, its manufacturing plant in Spartanburg, South Carolina, and numerous other operational facilities, BMW Group in the U.S. also includes Designworks, a strategic design consultancy in Santa Monica, CA, BMW Group Technology Office USA, a technology research and development center in Silicon Valley, and BMW i Ventures, a venture capital fund, also in Silicon Valley.
BMW Group Plant Spartanburg is the largest single BMW production facility in the world, and the global center of competence for BMW Sports Activity Vehicles including the X3, X4, X5, X6, X7, and XM. The plant assembles more than 1,500 vehicles each day, and up to 450,000 annually. Since 1994, Plant Spartanburg has assembled nearly 7 million BMW vehicles in the U.S.
The BMW Group sales organization in the U.S. is represented through a network of 350 BMW retailers, 144 BMW motorcycle retailers, 105 MINI passenger car dealers, and 38 Rolls-Royce Motor Car dealers. The company’s activities provide and support over 120,000 jobs across the U.S. and contribute more than 43.3 billion to the U.S. economy annually.
Journalist note: Information about BMW Group and its products in the USA is available to journalists on-line at www.bmwusanews.com www.miniusanews.com and www.press.bmwna.com