BMW : 2-Door 2 Series

This is the BMW 2 Series Coupe or the car formerly known as the 1 Series Coupe. It’s the 2-door version of the latest 1 Series. In line with BMW’s new policy of employing odd numbers on its 4 and 5-door saloons, hatches and estates, and even numbers for its 2-door coupes and cabrios, the 1 has become 2. The all new model will replace the outgoing 1 Series coupe and is based on the current 1 Series hatchback. Just like the latest 3 Series, the 2 Series model lineup starts with the 220i, powered by a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder, but the more exciting BMW seems to be the M235i with its 320hp, 3.0 liter straight 6. For the automatic transmission version, the M235i weighs 3240 pounds and will be able to accelerate from 0 to 62mph in 4.8 seconds – making it both lighter and quicker than the 135is.

But this is more than a rebranding exercise. The 2 Series is an all new coupe underpinned by the second generation 1 Series, which means, of course, it’s a rear wheel drive and armed with a selection of BMW’s juiciest powerplants. From launch, your meatiest engine choice will be the M235i which, with a 3.0 litre, 326bhp twin turbo 6, will crack 0 to 60mph in under 5 seconds. The BMW 2 Series Coupe goes on sale on 8 March 2014. It will be available in SE, Sport, Modern and M Sport trim, and a convertible version is expected to follow in the summer. Prices start at USD40 166, rising to USD54 940 for the M235i. The Porsche Cayman starts at USD62 000, though if you want to match the M235i for power, you’ll need the Cayman S, which costs 9 grand more.