BMW just announced some interesting updates to the fun-size, rear-wheel-drive 2-series. Beginning in March of 2015, the entry-level 218i will be powered by the 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder that motivates the base model Mini Cooper, while elsewhere on the option sheet buyers will be able to spec a diesel-powered 220d with all-wheel-drive. There's a catch, though: BMW tells us these setups won't be available in North America. Bummer.
The 1.5-liter three-banger will bring 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque to BMW's littlest coupe. The company says it'll get the European equivalent of 42 to 46 miles per gallon, though at a bit of a cost to performance: The thrifty three-cylinder will take a shade under nine seconds to sprint to 60 mph. That still seems reasonable to us, especially given the competent 2-series chassis and availability of a true three-pedal six-speed manual. Think of it as a rear-wheel-drive Mini Cooper, sorta.
Alongside the 218i, BMW will also roll out an all-wheel-drive version of the diesel-powered 220d, a setup the company says will surpass the European equivalent of 50 mpg. With diesel torque to spare, such a model will sprint to 62 mph in a somewhat more sporting 6.8 seconds.
The bad news? Neither the thrifty three-banger nor the torqueful diesel is headed to North America's shores. A BMW spokesman confirmed to Car and Driver that the 2015 lineup will stay the same as it ever was: 228i and M235i, in coupe and convertible form, with optional all-wheel-drive.
- Research: 2014 BMW 2-series Pricing, Photos, Reviews, and More
- First Drive Review: 2014 BMW M235i Coupe
- First Drive: 2014 BMW M5 / M6 with Competition Package
Of course, BMW is only interested in bringing to the U.S. the models that will sell well–meaning nicely-appointed variants with enough motor to satisfy the Ultimate Driving Machine tagline we've been hearing for 20 years. Still, we'd love to get these thrifty 2-series variants over here. Guess we're left doing what we usually do in this situation: Staring longingly toward Europe and sighing.
from Car and Driver Blog http://ift.tt/nSHy27
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