BMW 2 Series Sleek Coupe Unveiled

BMW has debuted its latest model, the 2 Series ahead of its physical unveiling at Detroit Motor Show in January 2014. It is the latest product with BMW's new naming convention whereby the even number is specified for the niche model derived from the mainstream model. It is what a 4 Series to the 3 Series,so the new 2 Series is a replacement for the outgoing 1 Series Coupe.

BMW 2 Series shares the same 2,690mm wheelbase as per BMW 1 Series F20, and measures 4,432mm long, 1,774mm wide and 1,418mm tall. Compared to the outgoing 1 Series Coupe, BMW 2 Series is 72mm longer, 32mm wide, 5mm lower and has 30mm longer wheelbase. This translates into a more habitable cabin and luggage space, where BMW claims an increase of 19mm more front headroom, 21mm more rear legroom and 390L boot volume up from 370L previously.

Unlike the 1 Series Coupe which carries over wholesomely the previous 1 Series hatchback styling cues, BMW 2 Series is a clear departure from that. The front end is sleeker, with slimmer and sharper headlamp making the case here.The front fascia is an amalgamation of multiple surfaces, with outer and inner bumper having different planes and blended well with the surface drawn from the hood. The base car shown above is complemented by Sport, Modern and customary M Sport. The base, Sport and Modern are differentiated by unique bumper insert, not unlike the one in F30. M Sport meanwhile gets a totally new front bumper set.

The compactness of the car can be seen clearly through the side profile, which retain the stubby look of its forebear. However, the car is not that small at over 4.4m, the size at which the older of the 3 Series used to be. Like BMW 4 Series, the belt line creases is immensely strong, it slids inwards post the front wheel arch underneath the waist line, but sneak out again near the rear wheel arch, giving the proper stance to the rear end.

The rear end is another adaptation of BMW L-shaped rear light, although clearly the constraint of dimension does not allow all the lines to flow and converge gracefully. Read more after the jump.

Whereas the exterior is extensively altered compared to 1 Series donor car, BMW makes no attempt to hide the blood link between the two in the interior. Carried over wholesomely, 2 Series shares virtually everything saved for the door trim and the upgraded i-Drive panel. As described earlier BMW 2 Series is roomier than the outgoing 1 Series Coupe both in terms of head and legroom.

Engine selection is continent dependent. Generally there are no new powertrain unit, but as BMW current engine line-up are all award winning series, it is hardly a problem. The starter for now is 220i for the European, it is fitted with the TwinPower turbocharger 2.0L kicking the usual 181hp and 270Nm and good for 7s century sprint. Further up the range is 220d with 181hp and 380Nm with 7.2s century sprint. The next available model is 228i also fitted with the familiar 2.0L N20 engine in "28i" tune, kicking 241hp and 350Nm thrusting a century sprint of 5.4s. Range topper for any continent is M235i powered by the infamous turbocharged 3.0L in-line six punching 322hp and 450Nm for scorching 4.8s acceleration to 100 km/h.

BMW 2 Series will debut in Detroit Motorshow in January 2014. Based on the pace BMW Malaysia is bringing the car in, it is safe to expect that Malaysian market will receive the car sometimes towards the end of 2014.