BMW 2 Series 2017 pricing and spec confirmed

BMW Australia has announced further details on its refreshed 2 Series Coupe and Convertible ranges due in September, with price rises of between $1100 and $1900 affecting all three model grades.

The 220i continues to open the rear-wheel drive Coupe ($52,900 before on-road costs) and Convertible ($59,900) ranges, but both of its body styles swell in cost by $1600.

Priced from $63,000 and $73,000 in Coupe and Convertible form respectively, the mid-spec 230i variants incur the smallest price adjustment at $1100.

Flagship responsibilities continue to be handled by the M240i, which jumps by $1900 to $76,800 for the Coupe and $85,800 in Convertible guise.

The mid-life update – or Life Cycle Impulse (LCI) in BMW language – focuses on minor changes to the 2 Series’ exterior and interior styling, highlighted by LED lighting with redesigned graphic signatures for the front- and rear-end.

Inside, the latest version of the Bavarian manufacturer's multimedia system, 'iDrive6', has been included range-wide, which features live content in a customisable, app-like interface.

Additionally, cabin quality has been elevated thanks to the addition of design stitching throughout, a black-panel instrument cluster, ‘Pearl Chrome’ trim finishers, chrome window button elements and a high-gloss black centre console.

As standard, the 220i model grade comes with a ‘Luxury Line’ package, 17-inch alloy wheels, digital radio, anti-dazzle rearview and side mirrors, climate control, sport leather steering wheel, ‘Dakota’ leather front sports seats, extended smartphone connectivity, reversing camera, lane departure warning, autonomous emergency braking with pedestrian detection, forward collision warning and BMW 'ConnectedDrive'.

Stepping up to the 230i further adds an ‘M Sport’ package including suspension and brakes, ‘Ferric Grey’ 18-inch rims, high-gloss ‘Shadow line' exterior trim, anthracite roofliner, ‘M’ leather steering wheel, 8.8-inch ‘Professional’ touchscreen display, electric seats, keyless entry and variable sport steering.

Furthermore, the Coupe picks up cloth and Alcantara upholstery, while the Convertible keeps the 220i’s ‘Dakota’ leather, but with the addition of heated front seats.

Meanwhile, standard kit in the M240i variants includes bi-colour ‘Jet Black’ 18-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights, 12-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system, ‘Dakota’ leather, heated seating and an adaptive ‘M’ suspension.

Three different option packages are available, with ‘Innovations’ ($1700) and ‘Comfort’ ($2400) offered exclusively to the 220i, while ‘Driver’s Assistance’ ($1200-1350) is extended to the 230i, too.

The colour palette has grown to 10 choices – including eight metallic – with the inclusion of ‘Seaside Blue’ and ‘Mediterranean Blue’ (exclusive to 220i and 230i ‘Luxury Line’), as well as ‘Sunset Orange’.

The 220i and 230i model grades are still motivated by the same 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol engine, which is offered in two states of tune, with the 220i producing 135kW/270Nm and the 230i punching out 185kW/350Nm.

Convertible versions are slower, less efficient and more pollutant than their Coupe counterparts, with the 220i variants sprinting from 0-100km/h in 7.2-7.7 seconds while sipping 5.9-6.1 litres per 100 kilometres on the combined cycle test and emitting 135-140 grams of carbon dioxide (CO2) per km.

Comparatively, the 230i models dash from standstill to triple figures in 5.6-5.9s, drink 5.9-6.2L/100km and emit 134-142g/km.

A 250kW/500Nm 3.0-litre turbo-petrol six-cylinder unit keeps powering the M240i range-topper, helping the spicy two-door to knock down 100km/h in 4.6-4.7s while consuming 7.1-7.4L/100km of petrol and releasing 163-169g/100km of CO2.

All 2 Series model grades are mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission as standard, while the M240i can be had with a six-speed manual gearbox for no extra cost.

BMW has sold 1125 examples of the 2 Series Coupe and Convertible to the end of July this year, representing a 13.6 per cent decrease over the 1302 figure it achieved during the same period in 2016.

Mercedes-Benz leads the small pack of 2 Series direct rivals, with its C-Class Coupe and Cabriolet tallying 1831 sales throughout the first seven months of 2017, while the Audi A3 Convertible lags behind on 329 units.

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