WATCH: New BMW 2 Series raises the bar

The BMW 2 Series Coupe and BMW 2 Series Convertible have raised the bar in the premium compact class in terms of dynamic prowess, aesthetic appeal and emotional richness.

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Now available in South Africa, the new models promise to build on this successful concept.

They feature sharper frontend styling, LED headlights fitted as standard, further interior upgrades and new connectivity services.

And they also offer unbeatable sports performance, courtesy of rear-wheel drive (unique in the segment) working in tandem with efficient power transfer systems.

The interior of the new 2 Series models features an all-new design for the instrument panel, which emphasises the focus on the driver even more clearly and significantly enhances the cockpit’s quality feel once again.

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The interior now has a more spacious and clearer feel.

As well as the standard model, the Coupe and Convertible are available in Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport variants, and the line-up also includes a BMW M Performance representative – the BMW M240i.

The high-resolution 8.8-inch central display in the new BMW 2 Series Coupe and BMW 2 Series Convertible now comes in touchscreen form if the optional Navigation System Professional is specified.

This provides the driver with another way of operating various functions, in addition to the latest generation of the iDrive operating system (standard), the Touch Controller and the intelligent voice control system.

The list of assistance systems customers can specify includes Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function.

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The Driving Assist is also available as an option and comprises the Lane Departure Warning system and City Collision Mitigation, which applies the brakes automatically at speeds up to 60km/h in response to an imminent collision.

An extensive line-up of three-, four- and six-cylinder engines is available for the BMW 2 Series Coupe and BMW 2 Series Convertible, producing outputs from 100kW to 250kW.

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All the petrol and diesel engines are from the latest BMW Efficient Dynamics engine family.

The various model variants channel their power through either a six-speed manual gearbox or an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.

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The efficient automatic comes as standard in the 220i and 230i.

The M240i variants of both the Coupe and Convertible link up as standard with the eight-speed Steptronic Sport version of the automatic, which offers a steering wheel-mounted manual shift function.