Just as the new generation of BMW's 3 Series Coupe and Convertible has been recast and rebadged as the 4 Series for 2014, 2-door versions of the automaker's entry-level 1 Series are due to undergo a similar transition and adopt 2 Series nomenclature starting with the 2014 model year. One of the new Coupe variants was snapped recently while testing in the Los Angeles area by KBB's Senior Director, Insights, Karl Brauer. Despite being fully wrapped in BMW's curls-and-swirls camouflage, this test mule does give a hint at what we can expect to see in the production model.
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The car's basic proportions appear largely unchanged from the current 1 Series, however, like other 2 Series spy images we've seen, the front and rear quarters look a bit sleeker and are set off by trimmer headlamps/taillamps and reshaped front air intakes. While BMW has yet to confirm any platform details, it's believed the upcoming 2 Series will continue to share a version of the current 1 Series/3 Series architecture.
Motivation for the base 228i model is expected to come from the 2.0-liter/240-horsepower TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder used in the 328i, with the upline 235i getting the same 300-horsepower turbocharged inline-6 found in the 335i. A slightly more potent, 320-horse 235is also is likely, as is a full-on M2 variant a year or so after the 2 Series launches. With the arrival of new luxury compact sedans like the Audi A3 and Mercedes-Benz CLA-Class, don't be surprised to see BMW further bolster the 2 Series lineup with a sleek 4-door Gran Coupe variant as well. Stay tuned.
http://www.kbb.com
By Bob Nagy
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