BMW has introduced the successor to the BMW 1-series convertible ahead of its official unveiling at next month’s Paris motor show.
The 2-series convertible has the same footprint as the 2-series, and is bigger in every dimension than 1-series – it is 72mm longer at 4432mm, 26mm wider at 1774mm and has a wheelbase that is 30mm longer at 2690mm. The front and rear tracks have been extended by 41mm and 43mm respectively.
BMW says the increase in size makes for easier entry and exit from the car for rear passengers, and more luggage capacity. The volume of the latter has increased by 30 litres to 335 litres with the roof up; when the top is folded, the boot space is 280 litres. The boot is also 35mm wider at its widest point compared to its predecessor.
The rear seat backrest can be folded using a lever in the luggage compartment. The rear can be specified with a load-through hatch that is much bigger than the one featured on the 1-series, at 450mm wide by 246mm high.
Unlike the larger 4-series convertible, which has a retractable hard-top, the new 2-series has a fabric roof. The electrically powered fabric top with additional insulation and optimised acoustic comfort; opens and closes in 20 seconds at the push of a button, even while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h. It comes in a choice of three roof colours; black, anthracite with silver effect and brown with silver effect.
At launch, the 2-series convertible comes with a choice of four engines. The range consisting of the 220i petrol with 184bhp, a 228i with 245bhp, a 220d diesel engine with 190bhp and, for the first time ever, an M235i Convertible variant with 326bhp.
An extensive BMW EfficientDynamics technology comes as standard with fuel-saving additions including start-stop technology, brake energy regeneration and BMW’s ECO PRO mode which gives tips on how to drive economically through the Proactive Driving Assistant. The 220i and 220d models will be available in Sport, Luxury and M Sport trims, while the 228i is offered only in M Sport guise.
Source: BMW
