BMW's new 2 Series Cabrio 10 | 09 | 2014
BMW HAS LIFTED the wraps from its new 2 Series convertible, which replaces the 1 Series convertible and is on-sale from Scottish showrooms later this month. Prices will start at £29,180 for the entry-level 220i Sport.
First deliveries of the soft-topped rear-drive convertible are expected in February next year, and the range will top out with the barnstorming M235i, which will set you back £37,710.
With the same footprint, not surprisingly, as the fixed-roof versions of the 2 Series, it's significantly larger than the 1 Series in every way: at 4432mm, it's 72m longer; its 1774mm is 26mm wider, plus it has a 30mm longer wheelbase at 2690mm. Oh, and it has a wider stance: the front and rear tracks have been extended by 41mm and 43mm respectively.
According to BMW, that all helps contribute to easier access and exit for rear passengers. Oh, and there's also more luggage space, up by 30 litres to 335 litres with the roof up. Fold the fabric roof down — push a switch on the centre console and it opens and closes in 20 seconds at speeds of up to 30mph — and the stowage drops to 280-litres. The roof also gets a new four-layer fabric top and features additional insulation and greater acoustic comfort.
Despite the fact it's shed its metal roof, the 2 Series convertible is still 150kg heavier than the equivalent coupé, simply because of the roof mechanism and the extra chassis reinforcement in the side panels.
There are four engines in the range, all of which are more powerful than those found in the 1-series convertible. They're also, on average, 18% more frugal.
The entry-level is the 220i powered by a 1997cc inline TwinPower turbo four-cylinder petrol engine delivering 181bhp. BMW says it's capable of 0-62mph in 7.5sec and carries on to a top speed of 143mph. It'll also return 43.4mpg and emit 151g/km of CO2.
The £31,550 228i convertible — which uses the same engine, but returned to deliver 242bhp — hits 62mph from standstill in 6.1sec and has a top speed of 155mph. At the pumps it returns 41.5mpg and emits 159g/km CO2.
The range-topping model is the £37,710 M235i convertible. with a 322bhp 2979cc inline six-cylinder TwinPower turbo engine concealed under the bonnet, it's capable of 0-62mph in 5.2sec when mated to the standard six-speed manual gearbox. It'll carry on to a max of 155mph. Expect 33.2mpg and 199g/km CO2.
There's one diesel in the range, the £29,965 220d which is powered by a new 187bhp, 1995cc four-cylinder turbodiesel. With its standard six-speed manual 'box, BMW says drivers should expect 64.2mpg and CO2 emissions of 116g/km. Mate it to the optional eight-speed automatic, and those figures improve to 68.8mpg and 108g/km.
BMW’s switchable driver mode system, Driving Experience Control, is standard on all variants. The 218i, 220i and 220d offers three driving modes – Comfort, Sport and fuel-efficient Eco Pro – whereas the M235i adds Sport+.
Sport+ is also added to any model fitted with the any of the following: Steptronic sport transmission, M Sport package, BMW Sport Line trim, Adaptive M Suspension or variable sport steering.
As you would expect, the cabin essentially replicates that found in the 2 Series coupé. Look closely though and you'll notice new high-gloss black surfaces on the centre console and chrome accents surrounding the air vents.
For the first time on a BMW, there's free-of-charge wireless updating of navigation data via an in-built SIM card.
Related: BMW reveals new X6
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Jim McGill