If you’re old enough, you may recall the BMW 2002 of the 1970s. That car could be credited with BMW’s foray into the small coupe market. And now, several decades later, it seems that the 2002 has a spiritual successor.
The 1 Series is probably one of the less attractive BMWs in the firm’s current line-up. The five- and three-door hatch variants have been joined by a set of prettier siblings. The two-door coupe models are designated 2 Series. And thankfully, unlike the previous generation, the coupe models which shared a face with the 1 the 2s have a different visage.
My colleague Wilhelm Lutjeharms drove the 2 Series at its international launch in Las Vegas a few weeks ago, so I’ll spare you the intricacies of design and interior treatment.
A trio of turbo Twos to start
BMW SA rolled out three derivatives at initial introduction. The 220i and M235i are petrol-fed; the former is a four-pot while the latter boasts an inline six, in BMW sporting tradition. These two will be joined by a 228i in a few months, which is also a force-fed four but it boasts higher power and torque figures. A 220d will hold up the oil-burning end of things.
Sporting bent
On the local ride and drive event, I got to sample the M235i on track and really did enjoy myself. The powerful little car with the short wheelbase and rev-happy nature proved itself to be very entertaining within the confines of Dezzi Raceway, designed as it is for drifting. Even without a mechanical limited-slip differential one could adjust the car’s mid-corner attitude with the loud pedal and achieve a decent angle of slide.
But the majority of the launch was spent on public roads where we had to dodge potholes and be law-abiding citizens and not exceed the speed limit. For these open road sections, I sampled the 220i and 220d.
I’ve felt that certain BMW models displayed heavy steering actions, and it seems that so did many owners. In the new X5, which I drove a few weeks ago, and now in the 2 Series, it it clear that BMW has lessened the effort required by the driver to twirl the wheel, especially at lower speeds. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing and we can imagine BMW’s target market will appreciate the change.
As it typical with BMW press vehicles, all the cars on the launch boasted some form of non-standard/large-diameter alloy wheel. In the twisty bits that we did experience, the sportier stance was appreciated, but on the open-road the 2s will ride with far more pliancy on standard 16-inch alloys versus the 18-inch items. As it stands, the ride erred towards the firm side, rather than the loping quality you can expect of a Golf 7.
Some of the pockmarked and scarred tar of rural KZN did upset the front-rear balance at certain times, sending the rear-end skipping sideways, but it must be said that happened at speeds that most 2 Series will never be keen to explore on quiet B-roads.
The sweet spot
As the opening salvo of the range, the 220i will undoubtedly be very popular. The engine produces 135 kW (close to the output of the original 325iS) and 270 N.m of power. Both are commendable and couple well with the automatic transmission. When you need to make a fast/safe overtake, you do have to reach deep into the power band. This elicits a vocal performance from the four-pot that isn’t quite expected. Interestingly, for a forced-induction engine, it does rev out happily to nearly 7 000 r/min.
I was never a die-hard diesel-head, but the more I drive these modern, high-tech engines, the more I am convinced of their abilities and benefits. The 2,0-litre turbodiesel makes a similar 135 kW, but a far more impressive 380 N.m of torque from a lowly 1 750 r/min.
The “clever” eight-speed automatic transmission ensures that the relatively narrow powerband (as with any diesel engine) is always engaged. Such are the shifts carried out by the transmission’s control unit that one never has to remove one’s hands from the steering wheel with gearchanges affected merely by your right foot. It makes a lot more sense, to me anyway, to own the 220d, as I feel it is the sweet spot of the 2 Series range.
With barely 2 000 r/min registering on the tacho at the national speed limit the fuel needle barely moved during our afternoon jaunt from the KZN’s Hibiscus Coast to Umhlanga via the N2. BMW claims an incredible fuel consumption figure of 4,2 L/100 km, with just 111 g of CO2/km emitted – incidentally this means the 220d doesn’t fall foul of emissions tax.
Best option?
The headliner of this range and the most lustworthy is undoubtedly the M235i, but not everyone needs or will ever effectively use the large power on tap.
Unlike the racier M235i with its larger wheels, sports suspension and thirstier engine, the 220d is a far more relaxed package. On higher-profile tyres, the ride is just that little bit more forgiving and the surfeit of torque means that overtaking passes are swift and safe.
As fuel costs rise the distance one can travel on a full tank is an ever-increasing concern for motorists. With the 220d you get a car that has more than enough performance potential as well as miserly fuel consumption. If I were to offer someone, who isn’t an out-and-out performance enthusiast, advice as to which 2 Series to buy, it’d have to be the 220d.
*Specifications:
Model: BMW 220d
Engine: 2,0-litre, inline four, turbodiesel
Power: 135 kW @ 4 000 r/min
Torque: 380 N.m @ 1 750 – 2 750 r/min
0-100 km/h: 7,1 seconds
Fuel consumption: 4,2 L/100 km
CO2: 111 g/km
Top speed: 230 km/h
Price: R424 000
Maintenance plan: 5 years/100 000 km
Service intervals: determined by onboard computer
*According to BMW