BMW 2 Series 2014 News

The next direction for a score of small, punchy BMWs: power down via the front wheels. When the Bavarians switch ends, they do so with vigour - up to 10 Minis and 12 BMWs over the next few years will be front-wheel drive.BMW last week launched the 2 Series Active Tourer (pictured), its first front-drive car, based on its modular UKL architecture. The platform promises neat interior packaging, fuel efficiency and economies of scale.Front-drive BMW and Mini vehicles will account for 800,000 of the 2 million annual sales the BMW Group hopes to achieve by 2020. To date the group has confirmed three- and five-door Minis and five- and seven-seat Active Tourers.The company's spokesman for 1 and 2 Series models, Kai Lichte, says any vehicle smaller than a 3 Series will use the front-drive platform, which also accommodates all-wheel-drive.In line with this, the existing rear-drive 1 Series and X1 SUV are tipped to move to front-drive at the end of their current product cycles.A further FWD candidate is expected to be the X2, with the same coupe-styled roofline as the existing X4 and X6.Lichte says there has been no decision on the X2. "That's one of the cars we are flexible to decide," he notes.The only junior model not yet confirmed for FWD is the 2 Series coupe, launched late last year, which has earned widespread approval among driving enthusiasts for its dynamics. Spy shots reveal BMW will soon launch a convertible 2 Series and a performance-oriented M2."Reaction to the 2 Series was overwhelmingly positive and we just introduced those cars so we have time to make a decision," Lichte says.Ultimately BMW plans to only have two platforms for all models: UKL for vehicles less than 4.5m long and a common rear-wheel-drive architecture for the rest - ranging in size from the 3 Series compacts to the 7 Series limos.

Watch the hot BMW M235i take on the Cape Town CBD – sideways.What's cooler than seeing BMW's new 240kW/450Nm M235i rear-drive small coupe slide its way through the closed streets of the South African metropolis of Cape Town? Five of them in formation of course, and particularly so with the skilled hands of world-class drifters Samuel Hübinette, Rich Rutherford, Rhys Millen, Conrad Grunewald and Dai Yoshihara at the wheel. Directed by Hollywood stunt expert Mic Rodgers, and coordinated by Riley Harper, the M235i "Drift Mob" video shows exactly how naughty the M235i can be with the stability control set to Off. 

German brand reveals keen fitout for the upcoming 2 Series Active Tourer.

Watch the BMW 2 Series ad on our desktop site.Also watch: BMW M5 hoon video

BMW is no stranger to front-wheel drive platforms for its Mini brand, but has always promoted the driving dynamics of rear-wheel drive for its own badge. However the times have changed, and the German prestige carmaker has just revealed its first front-wheeler, the  2 Series Active Tourer.The new multi-purpose vehicle will get a global debut at Geneva motor show next month, before rolling out into showrooms to face off against the Mercedes B-Class later this year. But BMW is already releasing official images and details of the vehicle -- and promising that its front-wheel driving experience still retains the dynamic quality the brand has made its byword, and "oozes sportiness from every angle".This is BMW's first foray into the MPV segment, and the brand is pointing to the functionality made possible by the front-wheel drive platform, which -- coupled with versatile seat configuration -- is claimed to make the most of the interior spaceThe rear seat slides and the backrest split-folds 40:20:40 to optimise the layout for either passengers or luggage, with the latter's 468-litre capacity able to rise to 1510L. A large rear tailgate -- with optional push-button or electronic foot-operation -- gives access to the boot, with a foldable  floor covering an additional hidden storage compartment with a divided tray. Under the bonnets are choices of compact turbo engines, with the range kicking off with the 218i Active Tourer's economical new 1.5-litre three-cylinder developing 100kW of power and claiming a fuel figure of 4.9L/100km mated to a six-speed manual transmission.The fuel hero 218d Active Tourer is powered by a 110kW/330Nm four-cylinder turbodiesel claiming combined fuel economy of 4.1L/100km, 0-100km/h time of 8.9 seconds and top speed of 205km/h. The range-topper for the launch is the 225i Active Tourer with a four-cylinder petrol engine developing 170kW and claiming combined fuel economy of 6.0L/100km, a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h.Fuel-saving features include engine stop-start, brake energy recuperation and optimum gearchange indicator, while dynamic ability is improved by the channelling of air from front bumper inlets along the front wheels. The interior gets the expected premium treatment, with a notable inclusion of the full-colour heads-up display system featured on the latest Mini, projecting information onto a screen behind the steering wheel rather than onto the windscreen like the rest of the BMW range.BMW Australia is keen to get the 2 Series Active Tourer here and into our market, spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says, although adding it is too early to get an indication of loal pricing and specification."Obviously we are very interested -- it's an new kind of vehicle for BMW -- and it's on our schedule for Australia. Timing would be around late this year, or possibly early 2015."This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

As part of BMW's realignment -- and renumbering -- of its range, the new BMW 2 Series is hitting the sales floors in March priced from $50,500, a rise of $2500 over the 1 Series Coupe it is essentially replacing as a companion to the 1 Series Hatch range.The entry price gets you into a 220i Coupe, with the mid-range 220d diesel Coupe sitting at $52,500 and the range-topping, performance focused M235i Coupe at $79,900. The 1 Series currently offers 'M' spec only in a hatch version for $64,900, meaning you pay $15,000 extra for the coupe -- but also meaning it's still competitive against the $74,990 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG hatch and might also be against the Audi RS3 currently in testing and tipped to be launched this year.The 220i carries turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 135kW of power and 270Nm of torque that peaks at a low 1250rpm. BMW is promising a 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds fuel economy of 6.0l100km.The efficiency leader is the 220d's four-cylinder TwinPower turbodiesel at 4.4L/100km, also with 135kW but a hefty 380Nm of torque, and official 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds.The M235i's turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder delivers 240kW of power -- 5kW more than that M135i hatch -- and 450Nm of torque, getting to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, shaving 0.1 off the M1351 with the same eight-speed sports auto gearbox -- but coming in 0.2 behind the A45 AMG.The transmission -- mated to all three engines -- features a launch control mode and F1-style steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. BMW is also expected to continue to offer the M135i's six-speed manual, however full specification details will not be available until closer to the launch date.BMW 2 Series pricesBMW 220i Coupé $50,500BMW 220d Coupé $52,500BMW M235i Coupé $79,900This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $59,000-$100,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSMini Cooper: Mini will bring the all-new third-generation ‘new Mini’ Cooper to our shores from May, with the entry models using a new 1.5-litre three cylinder turbo petrol or diesel engine, and the hot Cooper S to step up to a new 2.0-litre turbo petrol from the same family. The three-door hatch will be the only bodystyle to lob in 2014, with convertible and a new five-door hatch (at least) to follow later. (Approximately $31,000-$46,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)Lexus CT 200h: Lexus will complete the spindle grill-ification of its Australian lineup when it launches the mid-cycle refresh of the CT 200h hybrid hatch before July. Along with the stylistic alignment with the rest of the range, the new CT will feature revised suspension tuning and interior trim, with the possibility of sharpened pricing in the pursuit of sales volume. (Approximately $40,000-$58,000)Renault Megane: Also due around June is a mid-cycle refresh for the Megane coupe, cabriolet, and wagon models. (Approximately $20,000-$50,000)Subaru Impreza WRX: Underwhelming or otherwise, Subaru’s new WRX performance sedan is due in late March, ahead of a hotter-again STI version by mid-year. (Approximately $40,000)Volkswagen Golf GTI Performance: The upgraded Golf GTI Performance pack will complete the GTI lineup during 2014, with an extra 7kW, bigger brakes, tricky diff, plus xenon headlights, LED taillights, 19 inch wheels, and alcantara added to the tartan cloth interior trim. (Approximately $47,990)Volkswagen Golf R: The all-wheel drive Golf R performance flagship is also expected in 2014, with 206kW and 380Nm promising performance to trump all before it. (Approximately $50,000)FAMILY CARSFord Falcon: The once-mighty Falcon range is set to undergo its final facelift in the fourth quarter of 2014, ahead of it’s now certain doom in 2016. Minor styling revisions are expected, but the addition of Ford’s SYNC multimedia system and the return of the XR8 V8 model (as FPV is wound up) are likely to be the biggest changes. Approximately 37,000-56,000Infiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Skoda Octavia RS: The Czech brand will launch the hot Octavia RS in the second quarter, with the petrol version matching the new Volkswagen Golf GTI mechanically, and the diesel version is expected to continue with the same spec as the Golf GTD available overseas. (Approximately from $40,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)PEOPLE MOVERSHonda Odyssey: An all-new Odyssey eight-seat people mover will follow in February, with fresh styling, improved features and safety and a more efficient drivetrain. (Approximately $35,000-$43,000)Kia Grand Carnival: Later in the year, Kia will replace the segment-champion but ageing Grand Carnival model. Improvements to safety, features, and efficiency are expected, and should be a winner if the smaller new Rondo is anything to go by. (Approximately $39,000-56,000)SUV/4WDBMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will also score similar SYNC-inclusive revisions at around the same time, ahead of the same 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Honda CR-V diesel: Honda will kick off 2014 by adding the first-ever diesel variant to the local CR-V SUV lineup in January. The 2.2 litre unit produces 110kW/350Nm, and will be available in six-speed manual or five-speed auto with all-wheel drive only. Official fuel consumption is as low as 5.8L/100km. (Approximately $35,000-$45,000)Isuzu MU-X: Isuzu will introduce the seven-seat MU-X in January, with the company’s first SUV sharing much of its design with the D-Max ute and Holden Colorado and Colorado 7 models. The MU-X will be equipped with the same 3.0-litre diesel engine as the D-Max, and offer family 4WD toughness for a lot less than Toyota’s Prado. (Approximately $40,500-$53,500)Kia Sorento: The final Kia model for 2014 is likely to be a significantly revamped Sorento seven-seat SUV, with a comprehensive design update inside and out to bring it in line with the fresher styling of its Hyundai Santa Fe mechanical twin. (Approximately $38,000-$51,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Mercedes-Benz GLA: Mercedes will bring the new A-Class-based GLA SUV to our shores in May, with the all-new model taking the fight to the Audi Q3 and BMW X1 in the premium compact SUV segment. Priced from about $45,000, the GLA will be available in front or 4MATIC all-wheel drive and engines from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre GLA200 and 155kW/350Nm 2.0-litre GLA250 petrols, and 100kW/300Nm 2.2-litre GLA200 CDI and 125kW/350Nm 2.2-litre GLA220 CDI turbodiesel options. (Approximately from $45,000)Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV: Mitsubishi will introduce its first hybrid model in April, in the form of the plug-in hybrid Outlander SUV. Priced from about $50,000, the Outlander PHEV promises Holden Volt-rivalling efficiency for about $10,000 less, and wrapped within a more practical SUV body. (Approximately from $50,000)Nissan Pathfinder hybrid: Nissan will complete its new Pathfinder SUV lineup in the second quarter, with the addition of a new petrol-electric hybrid variant to help silence the naysayers lamenting the lack of a diesel option in the new model. The 187kW/329Nm hybrid drivetrain uses a 15kW electric motor paired with a supercharged 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engine, resulting in a claimed 25 per cent fuel efficiency gain. (Approximately $55,000-$60,000)Nissan X-Trail: Nissan will replace its hugely successful X-Trail medium SUV in about July, with the bigger design offering seating for seven for the first time, and improved refinement to go with its softened exterior design. (Approximately $30,000-$47,000)Skoda Octavia Scout: The Octavia RS will be followed by the jacked-up Scout AWD variant in about mid-year. (Approximately $40,000-$45,000)Toyota Kluger: Toyota will introduce the third-generation of its Kluger large SUV in the first quarter, with the all-new larger model promising improved seating for seven and fresh styling, but its continued reliance on a petrol V6 might threaten its sales success next to the diesel and hybrid options offered by most rivals. (Approximately $40,000-$60,000)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)COMMERCIAL VEHICLESFord Transit: Ford’s commercial lineup will receive a boost in January with the arrival of an all-new Transit van model, with the light-duty Transit Custom touching down ahead of the heavy-duty Transit Cargo range in April. (Approximately $36,000-$52,000) 

There are exciting new releases planned across the board; from budget hatches to practical SUVs, to exotic supercars. We’ve broken them down into segments and likely price categories to help you. We've based our price estimations on the current market, but some estimations could change in the future, and some model ranges span across price categories, so be sure to check our other stories...New cars for 2014 | less than $20,000New cars for 2014 | $20,000-$40,000New cars for 2014 | $40,000-$59,000New cars for 2014 | over $100,000 LIGHT CARSBMW i3: BMW will bring the high tech i3 city car down under from September, with the pure-electric i3 BEV expected to start at about $60,000, and a range-extended i3 REX version with a 647cc petrol generator further up the price scale. (Approximately $60,000)SMALL CARSAudi A3 sedan: Audi will add a sedan version of its A3 small car to the existing Sportback hatch lineup from January, with the hot S3 version to follow in April, and the drop-top A3 Cabriolet (from about $57k) to complete the lineup in about September. (Approximately $65,000)BMW 2 Series: The discontinued 1 Series coupe will be replaced by the new 2 Series coupe in around May, and will likely mirror the petrol and diesel drivetrains of the existing 1 Series hatch. A soft-top convertible is also in the works, but its launch date is still up in the air. (Approximately $45,000-$85,000)FAMILY CARSInfiniti Q50: Infiniti models are set to become a more common sight on Australian roads before June, with the Mercedes C-Class and BMW 3 Series-rivalling Q50’s arrival, boasting fresh styling, rear-wheel drive, and a choice of diesel or hybrid drivetrains. (Approximately $51,900-$73,900)Mercedes-Benz C-Class: Mercedes' new C-Class sedan and wagon are due around mid-year, with a range of new engines and an 80mm wheelbase stretch to help combat the also enlarged BMW 3 Series and Lexus IS rivals. Drivetrain availability from launch will include the 115kW/250Nm 1.6-litre C180 and 135kW/300Nm 2.0-litre C200 petrols, and the 125kW/400Nm 2.1-litre turbodiesel C220. A smaller diesel, diesel-electric hybrid and more powerful petrol engines will come later. (Approximately from $60,000)Tesla Model S: The long-awaited Tesla Model S pure-electric passenger car is due to arrive locally in the second quarter, with the five door hatch balancing style, performance, and all-electric tech in equal measures. (Approximately $80,000)Volvo S60 and V60: Volvo will introduce the first of its new Drive-E engines to the S60 sedan and V60 wagon range in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $49,000-$78,000)LUXURY CARSLexus RC: Lexus’ new RC coupe should arrive before the end of 2014 to take on the BMW 4 Series and Audi A5, with a choice of petrol V6 and hybrid drivetrains likely to expand to include a high-performance 5.0-litre V8 RC-F soon after. (Approximately $70,000-$130,000)SUV/4WDAudi RS Q3: The company’s first RS-badged SUV will arrive in February, with the RS Q3 borrowing its 228kW/420Nm five-cylinder heart from the TTRS, and promising 0-100km/h in 5.5 seconds. (Approximately $81,900)BMW X1: The baby bimmer SUV is also in line for a refreshing in March, with styling and interior tweaks expected. (Approximately 46,000-63,000)BMW X5 sDrive 25d: BMW will add the first two-wheel drive X5 to the new 2014 lineup early in the year, with a price-leading $82,900 2.0-litre turbodiesel sDrive 25d undercutting the existing all-wheel drive xDrive 25d by $5000. (Approximately $82,900)Ford Territory: The Territory SUV will score SYNC-inclusive revisions by the end of the year, ahead of its 2016 fate. (Approximately $40,000-$63,000)Land Rover Range Rover Evoque: The stylish Range Rover Evoque is due for an update before June, with a new nine-speed auto delivering fuel economy gains of about 10 per cent, plus styling tweaks to bring it in line with the new full-size Range Rover and Sport models. (Approximately $50,000-$91,000)Porsche Macan: Porsche will add the new sub-Cayenne Macan SUV to its Australian lineup from June, with the cheapest diesel model forming a new entry point to Porsche ownership at $84,900. Twin-turbo 3.0 and 3.6-litre V6s will sit further up the price scale, with the 294kW top-spec capable of 0-100km/h in 4.6 seconds. (Approximately $84,900-$122,900)Volvo XC60: Volvo’s new Drive-E engines will also appear in the XC60 SUV in March, with power and efficiency gains promised, along with a new eight-speed auto. (Approximately $57,000-79,000)SPORTS/PERFORMANCEAlfa Romeo 4C: Alfa will bring a limited number of its limited-build 4C sports car to Australia in around June, with the mid-engined, carbon-chassised performance hero expected to lob for as little as $75,000.Peugeot RCZ-R: Building on the brand’s reignited performance cred thanks to the excellent 208 GTi, the French brand will also add the hot RCZ-R to the lineup in the second quarter, with a highly tuned 199kW version of the existing petrol version’s 1.6-litre turbo. (Approximately $70,000)CONVERTIBLESBMW 4 Series convertible: The folding hardtop version of BMW’s 4-Series coupe is expected by March, and echo its hardtop sibling with 420d, 428i, and 435i drivetrains. (Approximately $85,000-$120,000)  

BMW will use the 2 Series badge for both rear-drive coupe and front-drive five door compact MPV models, as these recent spy photos suggest.The upcoming production version of BMW’s Active Tourer concepts – and BMW’s first front-drive model – were expected  wear 1 Series nomenclature, but this undisguised prototype was spotted wearing a 225i moniker on its tail.Styling appears little removed from the most recent Active Tourer Outdoor concept shown in Germany earlier this year, and this prototype was spotted while filming promotional footage ahead of its expected public debut at the Geneva motor show in March.To distinguish the new model from the upcoming 2 Series Coupe, the new five door is expected to carry the title of ‘2 Series Active Tourer’, building on the naming used for the concepts.The new compact MPV will be BMW’s answer to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, and is also expected to spawn an elongated seven-seat version later on.Under the skin, the new 2 Series five-door will ride on a version of the BMW Group’s new UKL platform, which is also shared by the new Mini Cooper and at least 11 other upcoming BMW and Mini models.The platform uses a transverse engine layout and native front-drive, but will also accommodate all-wheel drive for some models.The 2 Series MPV will draw on the new three and four cylinder engines used by the new Mini Cooper, with entry models expected to use the 100kW/220Nm petrol and 85kW/270Nm diesel turbocharged 1.5 litre three, with a version of the new Cooper S’ 141kW/280Nm 2.0-litre petrol four likely to top the range.Hybrid and plug-in hybrid versions are also in the works, with the possibility of a pure-electric version like the original Active Tourer concept.This reporter is on Twitter: @Mal_Flynn 

Watch the 2014 BMW M235i video here.