Few new cars have been more anticipated than the BMW 2 Series Coupe when it arrived in early 2014. Hot on the heels of the widely acclaimed BMW 228i and M235i Coupe, BMW announces today the new BMW 2 Series Convertible. It’s a natural step in the evolution of the 2 Series and BMW is bringing a convertible version allow for open-top driving matched with performance and excitement levels of the famed 2 Series entirely.
It will be available in the United States as a BMW 228i and M235i, blending open-top pleasure, beautiful design and a folding soft-top all in one vehicle. The BMW 2 Series Convertible will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show. The 2015 M235i and 228i as well as the 228i xDrive, featuring BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system, will arrive in US showrooms in early 2015. The 2015 M235i and 228i as well as the 228i xDrive, featuring BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system, will arrive in US showrooms in early 2015. The 2015 BMW 2 Series Convertible will be offered at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $38,850 for the 228i, $40,650 for the 228i xDrive, $48,650 for the M235i, including $950 destination and handling.
The BMW M235i xDrive will be offered in 2015.
When history is concerned the new BMW 2 Series Convertible follows a well beaten path set by the previous generation 1 Series Coupe Convertible. That model entered the fray as the first small open-top premium model in the sub-compact segment. It brought a luxury interior, curvacious body lines and great driving performance in that small package. With sales in excess of 100,000 unites delivered worldwide, it was a great ancestor to take important advice from.
The exterior design of the BMW 2 Series Convertible displays the typical characteristics of an open-top four-seater from the Bavarian brand. The BMW 2 Series Convertible combines a low-slung silhouette and dynamically stretched lines with compact proportions and powerfully contoured surfaces. Design itself features a low-slung silhouette and dynamically streched lines with compact lines and powerfully contoured proportions. The distinctive look of an elongate body produces a powerful effect on the appearance of the car entirely. The long-wheelbase and set back passenger compartment simply create an idea environment to enjoy the open-top driving performance. It’s also highly pointing to the rear-wheel drive configuration of the vehicle, providing both an aesthetic and performance advancement, thanks to almost perfect weight distribution front to back.
One can easilly recognize the brand’s familiar design language – both from the front and from the rear. Large, slightly forward-slanting BMW kidney grille combined with circular headlights in the front end together with LED illuminated rear lights and a break light incorporated in the rear trunk lid, all make for a smooth transition in the body language of the 2 Series Convertible. This car is widest at the rear wheels, following a design language set by the larger siblings of the 2 Series like the BMW M3, M4 and M5 as well.
When interior is concerned, we can find the usual mesh of luxury items, premium feel of materials used and an environment that welcomes aggressive and sporty driving, or simply, a well maintained cruise, all available in the same car.
Interior arrangements of the car are familiar from other BMW models, giving the driver a familiar working environment and a well-known driving feeling as well. The complete bespoke design of the 2 Series interior console gives a refined feeling on board, together with easilly accessible controls for everything from air-conditioning, audio system to media devices. There is also an array of large storage compartments available in different areas of the vehicle itself.
The soft-top fabric roof has received increased soundproofing which provide a much less noisier driving experience thanks to introduction of additional insulation for roof. This measure cuts interior noise by 5dB(A) in the front seats and 7dB(A) in the rear seats. Anyone who has ever driven or been a passenger in a convertible will gladly appreciate the increase in sound proofing entirely.
The standard electrically operated soft-top can be opened in 20 seconds at the touch of a button – and it also closes in the same small sliver of time. The opening/closing process can also be initiated while on the move at speeds of up to 30 mph (50 km/h). If the car features the Comfort Access option, the roof can also be opened and closed remotely.
As an alternative to the standard Black, the fabric soft-top can be ordered in two optional colors. For the Anthracite with silver effect top and Brown with silver effect option, the fabric of the cover is interwoven with fine shiny fibers. This gives the material a high-quality, shimmering metallic surface impression, producing attractive reflections under sunlight.
For owners that require further individualization for their 2 Series Convertible, there are two additional optional lines available: Sport Line and M Sport. Both of these offer the owners that next step in creating the perfect interior and exterior appearance, together with an increased performance which is available with the further Track Handling Package. Both the two visual lines and the performance option are available on the BMW 228i and 235i respectively.
Sport Line adds 18-inch light-alloy wheels in their own exclusive design plus sport suspension (not available with xDrive) special door sill strips, seat upholstery, interior trim strips and car key designs. M Sport also comes with its own unique trims, car key, plus an M Sport aerodynamic body kit developed specially for the The surrounds for the outer air intakes, the front of the kidney grille bars, the cross rib in the central air intake and the rear apron all have a high-gloss black finish in the Sport Line.
These details join together with a reduction in the number of kidney grille bars from 11 to 8 and exhaust tips in black chrome to highlight the dynamic character of the BMW 2 Series Convertible. Sport seats for the driver and front passenger, a specially styled instrument cluster and a knee pad on the driver’s side of the center console heighten the sense of sporting flair in the interior.
M Sport, on the otherhand, also comprises sport suspension tuning, including a 10-millimeter drop in ride height (not available on xDrive). In addition, it features 18-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design, aerodynamically optimized body elements (including large front air intakes, eye-catching side skirts and a diffuser for the rear apron), as well as a special design for the BMW kidney grille and a exhaust tips in high-gloss chrome. In addition to aluminum door sill strips bearing the M logo, features such as sport seats for the driver and front passenger, Aluminum Hexagon interior trim strips with an accent strip in Estoril Blue, an M leather steering wheel, a special dial design for the instrument cluster, and an M driver’s footrest also combine to bring an aura of sporty driving to the interior of the BMW 2 Series Convertible.
The Track Handling Package, will also be available for the 228i Convertible. Inspired by the original formula of BMW “S-package” vehicles manufactured in the course of the past three decades, the new Track Handling Package embraces the desires of the most enthusiastic BMW drivers. It includes the Adaptive M Suspension, Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires on unique 18-inch light-alloy wheels, Variable Sport Steering, and M Sport Brakes. The available Track Handling Package includes a range of chassis systems including variable sport steering, which features a variable-ratio steering rack that becomes more direct as the steering angle increases, for example when parking or making a turn.
Included in this package is the M Sport brake system featuring four-piston fixed calipers at the front, two-piston fixed calipers at the rear and extra-large brake discs. The calipers are painted dark blue and carry the M logo. The M Sport brakes require 18” light alloy wheels with Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires non-run-flat performance tires. Also included is the Adaptive M suspension with electronically controlled dampers with a 10-millimeter reduction in ride height compare to the standard suspension set-up.
BMW 228i Convertible: Power for typical driving enjoyment with efficiency.
Aided by BMW TwinPower Turbo technology with twin-scroll turbocharger, High Precision Direct Petrol Injection, VALVETRONIC fully variable valve lift regulation and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing, the four-cylinder engine of the BMW 228i Convertible generates maximum power of 240hp between 5,000 and 6,500 rpm from a displacement of 2.0 liter.
Its peak torque of 255 lb-ft can be harnessed all the way from 1,450 to 4,800 rpm for sporty power and performance. Mated to an 8-speed sport automatic transmission, the 228i Convertible will accelerate from 0-60 mph in 5.7 seconds. The quick-shifting 8-speed sport transmission includes steering wheel shift-paddles which allow the driver to intervene manually when desired, while a Launch Control function provides the best possible traction and dynamics when accelerating from standstill.
This increase in performance also comes with greater efficiency. While EPA numbers are not yet available for the 228i Convertible, for sake of comparison, the 228i Coupe is more than 30 percent more efficient than its 128i Coupe predecessor.
The 228i affords a great driving experience where the performance levels from the 240hp powerful engine allow it to sprint from 0-62mph (o-100km/h) in 5.6 seconds. This is done thanks to a xDrive, the company’s intelligent all-wheel drive system which will be available with the 228i right from launch. The xDrive in the 2 Series Convertible is a unique system that offers an increase in performance, while uplifting safety thanks to an electronic system that governs the the torque sent to front and rear wheels in conjuctions with road conditions. Normal torque split is 70% rear/ 30% front. The portion of torque transmitted to the front wheels is controlled by a multi-disc clutch that can be fully open, fully engaged or at any level of partial engagement in between. This gives xDrive a dynamic ability that is unparalleled by other all-wheel drive systems where it also can also enhance both agility and stability on grippy as well as slippery road surfaces.
The standard Driving Dynamics Control switch allows drivers to choose between ECO PRO, COMFORT, SPORT and SPORT+ driving modes. ECO PRO mode supports relaxed, fuel-efficient driving with features such as a coasting function. This function decouples the engine from the rest of the drivetrain when the accelerator is released at speeds between 50 and 160 km/h (approx. 30–100 mph). Vehicles with the Navigation system also include a Proactive Driving Assistant function, which tells the driver when to lift off the throttle ahead of features such as corners, turn-offs, roundabouts and speed limits. Standard-specification BMW EfficientDynamics technology includes Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units, Electric Power Steering, Optimum Gearshift Indicator (manual transmission) and the Auto Start Stop function, which is included with either a manual or an automatic transmission.
The new 2 Series Convertible also comes with a highly advanced chasis, allowing for better stability and a smoother driving performance. Certain technological areas are key with the new chasis for this vehicle, which includes a double-pivot front suspension with spring strutsand anti-roll bars as well as a five-link rear suspension, an electrically assisted rack-and-pinion steering system and a high-performance braking system. With its low-weight components, the increase in track width and wheelbase compared with the previous model, the rear-wheel-drive set-up, the low center of gravity and the balanced load distribution between the front and rear axles, the BMW 2 Series Convertible chassis is ideally equipped to offer confident agility, precise handling and superior driving comfort.
Standard Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) includes functions such as the Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Dynamic Traction Control (DTC), Cornering Brake Control (CBC) and Dynamic Brake Control (DBC). These systems are complemented by Brake Assist, Fading Compensation, the Brake Drying function, the Start-Off Assistant and the Limited Slip Differental emulating Active Differential Brake (ADB-Sport) on the rear axle, which is active even in DSC-Off mode.
On the other hand, a BMW M235i Convertible is the pinnacle of the performance models available with the 2 Series Convertible. Like the coupe, it features a higher-output M Performance TwinPower Turbo inline six, mated to either an 8-speed sport automatic or six-speed manual transmission. Aerodynamically optimized body features and custom chassis components are matched with typical M precision to the engine performance characteristics, ensuring a perfect blend of outstanding agility and precise handle.
The M Performance TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a twin-scroll turbocharging system, High Precision Direct Injection featuring centrally positioned multi-hole injectors, VALVETRONIC variable valve lift regulation and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. A cooling system, engine management and engine sound tuning, all of which have been exclusively customized to the requirements of the BMW 2 Series M Performance models, complete the picture. Maximum power of 320 hp is generated between 5,800 and 6,000 rpm, from a displacement of 3.0 liters. The maximum torque of 330 lb-ft is available between 1,400 and 4,500 rpm. With the standard eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission with Launch Control function, the BMW M235i Convertible accelerates from 0-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. It is also available with a six-speed manual gearbox with dry sump lubrication. Its short-throw action provides extra-sporty shifting. 60 mph is reached from a standstill in five seconds flat. Top speed is electronically limited to 250 km/h (155 mph).
In line with contemporary concerns, the BMW M Performance models incorporate an extensive range of BMW EfficientDynamics technologies. US EPA numbers are not yet available for the M235i Convertible, however the M235i Coupe boosts a near 20 percent improvement over its 135i Coupe predecessor.
BMW has upgraded the chassis and handling for the M-Sport version as well! It features into better driving performance. All of this is possible thanks to a custom-configured suspension and damping system as well as special front suspension elastokinematics that are adapted to the engine installed, but also to the different settings an open-top vehicle exerts thanks to a different construction and rigidity of the entire platform as well.
There are several details that allow the M235i to be dully separated from the other models. It comes with standard 18 inch M alloy wheels, combined with Michelin Pilot Super Sport performance tires (225/40/18 and 245/35/18 front and rear respectively). On the exterior there are aerodynamically styled body parts, adhering to a need for better air flow but also clearly differentiating the model from the rest of the pack. There are large air intakes, racing-inspired flaps in place of where a set of fog lamps would either be, but the main detail is the M-style front apron, a hallmark of the BMW M235i Convertible’s design.
Further exclusive design features include door sill finishers with aluminum inserts bearing “M235i” lettering and a specially “tuned” interior that features sports seats for the driver and front passenger, an M leather steering wheel with multifunction buttons, Aluminum Hexagon interior trim with accent strips in matte Estoril Blue or high-gloss black, leather trim for the gearshift lever/selector lever and handbrake lever gaiter, and an M driver’s footrest. The custom instrument cluster features red markings and numbers for the speedometer and tachometer, while the instrument cluster with extended features additionally has a digitally produced model designation. Rounding off the interior specifications of the BMW M235i Convertible are variable-color interior lighting and blue detailing for the car key.
