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Auto Car
a day ago
- Automotive
- Auto Car
A four-seat sports coupé for just £40k… in 2025?! New BMW 2 Series expertly defends a dying segment
We've yet to sample the six-cylinder, which is a shame. But… while straight sixes are inherently smoother, punchier and more balanced than four-bangers, and they sound good too – and all of this should matter in a BMW – the 230i's four-cylinder is smooth, torquey, powerful and sounds pretty good, if a bit muffled. Boot it coming out of a T-junction and there's enough power to raise the traction control from its slumber and the 0-62mph scamper is over and done in less than six seconds, which is plenty, really, if you're not after a serious sports car. In-gear acceleration is strong, there's no hugely notable drop-off of pace while you're doing legal speeds and the 295lb of torque is measured out neatly, although it does feel a bit like it's running out of puff by 6000rpm. The shift paddles are also super quick to respond, even though they are small and feel plasticky. Every 2 Series Coupé gets the excellent eight-speed ZF automatic gearbox, but you could easily be fooled into thinking it was a dual-clutch transmission, given the speed of the changes, the way it responds to the paddles and how it occasionally thumps through a less than smooth shift. What's more, the engine response shows no sign of any slip from the torque converter. Like all modern BMWs, the 2 Series lets the driver configure various aspects of the way it drives. Eco Pro dulls all the responses, while Normal is, as the name suggests, fairly normal, except that the gearbox calibration can feel slightly too optimised for the WLTP cycle, coming at the detriment of refinement as it lugs the engine. Sport mode makes it more responsive, without hanging on to gears for too long like it will when you knock the gearlever into its own Sport mode. Sport also makes the throttle response keener, dials up some synthetic engine sound, adds weight to the steering and makes the brakes touchier. All of those aspects can be turned back down in Sport Individual, except for the grabby brakes. That's frustrating, because the gearbox is at its best in Sport and the synthetic engine noise actually adds to the experience, making the car sound neither like an in-line four nor a straight six, but somewhat like an old Ford V4 in a fruity tune. Page 2 BMW devotees will be well used to the extra-glitzy materials and the technological glare of the firm's current interior design philosophy. The days when the ambient quality and luxury of Munich's cabin treatments were deliberately understated are long gone. Some time ago, the firm decided it needed to take on both Audi and Mercedes in that respect, and it conjured driving environments of readily apparent richness and lavishness. Pretty soon after that, the G20-generation 3 Series got an interior full of boldly hexagonal chrome and high-tech, widescreen wizardry – and that's a treatment the 4 Series now inherits. It's an interior in which it's very easy to make yourself comfortable over long distances. It feels expensively hewn and appointed and is broadly easy to interact with and to configure to your liking. The driving position is only marginally lower and more snug than that of a 3 Series. You wouldn't call it sports car low, but then, with ease of access and long-range visibility in mind, neither should it be. The control layout is excellent, with very generous adjustment of the steering column available. Slightly wide A-pillars impinge on forward visibility to an extent, but only as is broadly common among modern cars. Instrumentation is all digital, with the rev counter and speedometer displayed around the lateral extremes of an octagonal binnacle screen. The display themes change with the selected driving mode, but few are as easily readable as they ought to be and none of them provides a simple pairing of circular dials that could be read so easily at a glance. In cars with BMW's optional head-up display, of course, you can never claim to be ill-informed of your road or engine speed, but on behalf of those who like to pare down and simplify what the car is telling you in order to make longer trips less tiring, BMW could still do better. The 4 Series' rear seats are predictably tricky things in which to berth. You'll need to be under 6ft tall to find enough head room, although leg room is a little less meanly provided. Overall, though, the 4 Series' back-seat accommodation is reasonable enough for occasional use. The ability to fold the rear seatbacks, split 40/20/40, is a welcome boost to carrying flexibility, meanwhile, and boot space is good. Slightly more noticeable than the exterior visual tweaks are the changes inside for 2024, where sports seats are now standard fitment, the steering wheel is flat-bottomed and the restyled air vents are now adjusted with neat, thimble-shaped knobs that are sensibly placed and nice to twiddle. The 4 Series was only recently a recipient of a new twin-screen wraparound display that dominates the dashboard, which would be awful news for analogue apologists were the most important in-car controls not still housed in easy-access clusters of physical buttons in the centre console. The interface now runs the latest generation of BMW's iDrive platform, which is much the same as before – graphically appealing and agreeably responsive – only now with improved menu structures that aim to give you "the right information in the right place". The results are not transformative: this remains a highly competent and functional system, but one that just requires a touch too much eye time on the move, with a dazzling array of small and vaguely illustrated icons on the home page and too much responsibility over the climate control and so on. Happily, the trademark rotary controller remains, and there's a new fixed row of widgets on the right-hand side that allow control over various functions without delving into sub-menus. Swings and roundabouts. The inbuilt sat-nav also gets an optional augmented reality boost, with a new function that superimposes directional arrows, parking tips and the like over an animated livestream of your forward view. A neat party trick, but of limited use if you're of the Waze or Google Maps persuasion. Page 3 No one really buys a BMW for the cabin ambience. Munich itself would probably concede that, on outright material substance in most executive classes, Mercedes continues to set the standard. Meanwhile, on business-smart style, Audi leads the way. But while it's a comfortable, solid and wholly pleasant place in which to spend time, the BMW 4 Series' cockpit is entirely predictable and perhaps a missed opportunity to narrow either of those notional gaps. What you'll find here is 95 percent stock 3 Series componentry. In a 3 Series coupé you might forgive that, but in a 4 Series – just as we reported of the 6 Series – you can't help feeling short-changed by the lack of differentiation. M Sport-spec cars get a rather lovely, pleasingly compact M Sport steering wheel, for example, but that was easily the most special ingredient in the entire cabin. Which, for a £32k-plus luxury coupé, isn't saying much. One car we tested had black leather with black trim accents; there are more colourful treatments, but we're not sure any of them would be bright enough to excuse BMW totally, whether it has transgressed via laziness, pragmatism or simple lack of ambition. BMW is nothing if not thorough, though. The control ergonomics are excellent, the instruments are clear and the iDrive menu is foolproof. The latter is made easier to use by a touchpad found on the top of the rotary selector, which you can use to trace alphanumerical inputs for the telephone and navigation systems. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, only lacking for good lumbar support on our test car. The rear ones are accessible enough and offer decent levels of accommodation; you wouldn't choose to put a large passenger in one for long, but if you had to, he'd be more comfortable than in the back of an A5 and little less so than in a Mercedes E-Class coupé. There are two trim levels to choose from - Sport and M Sport, while those wanting an M4 get a bespoke spec. The entry-level Sport trim equips the 4 Series with 18in alloy wheels, gloss black exterior trim, dual chrome exhausts, LED head, rear and fog lights and parking sensors as standard on the outside. Inside the 4 Series gets dual-zone climate control, heated front seats, a Dakota leather upholstery, interior ambient LED lighting and BMW's brilliant iDrive infotainment system complete with sat nav, DAB radio, Bluetooth and USB connectivity, BMW's online services and a 6.5in screen. Upgrading to M Sport adds an aggressive bodykit, sports suspension and interior touches such as, door sills and an M Sport steering wheel, alongside BMW's Professional Media pack. Opt for the monstrous M4 then you have two core trims to choose from currently - standard and Competition Pack. The regular M4 gets 19in alloy wheels, active differential, adaptive suspension, quad-exhaust, an 8.8in iDrive display, cruise control, wireless charging dock and automatic lights and wipers as standard. Opt for the competition pack to your M4 and you get 20in alloys, a loudspeaker system, a tweaked adaptive suspension set-up with specific springs, dampers and anti-roll bars and reconfigured active differential, driving modes and traction control. T he limited edition hardcore M4 GTS gets adaptive LED headlights, ceramic braking, a GTS coilover suspension, a leather and Alcantara upholstery, a M-division tuned dual-clutch gearbox and three point seat belts. Page 4
Auto Express
23-05-2025
- Automotive
- Auto Express
New BMW M235 2025 review: is it a proper M car?
For this mid-life update, BMW has focused on making the M235 more engaging to drive and despite a decrease in power, it has succeeded… to an extent. Over and above the standard 2 Series, most of the thrills on offer here come in the form of brisk acceleration, while the handling is competent rather than playful. Better looking than before and with a plush high-tech interior, the hot 2 Series saloon is more desirable than ever, but still can't match rivals (or other cars wearing the M badge) dynamically. Advertisement - Article continues below 'Injection' is a word that conjures up unpleasant thoughts for many of us, so perhaps it's no surprise that BMW ditched the 'i' suffix (which stands for 'fuel injection') for this latest version of the hot 2 Series Gran Coupé. The BMW M235 sits at the pinnacle of the 2 Series Gran Coupé line-up which, confusingly, is separate to that of the 2 Series Coupé; the former shares parts with the 1 Series hatchback while the latter has more in common with the bigger 3 Series. As with the outgoing M235i, this latest car comes as standard with BMW's xDrive four-wheel-drive system; this is mainly front-biased in this iteration, but can send up to 50 per cent of power to the rear wheels. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below View 2 Series View 2 Series View 2 Series View 2 Series Speaking of the M235's predecessor, you may have noticed that power for this latest model has dropped from 302bhp on the 'i' to 296bhp here. Torque is also down from 450Nm to just 400Nm. This is all in the name of complying with emissions regulations, but most buyers are unlikely to notice if they've happened to have driven the old car. Styling is always subjective, and although the facelifted 2 Series has more of a whiff of Kia Ceed about its front end, to our eyes the visual nip-and-tuck for this mid-life update has served BMW's baby saloon well; the pinched front end now does a better job of concealing the car's high bonnet line. We even happen to quite like this rendition of BMW's illuminated kidney grille, which is less obtuse than the one on the new 5 Series. Advertisement - Article continues below The changes don't stop there; inside, the M235 gets the Bavarian brand's latest dual-screen infotainment system. The graphics are bright and crisp, while the touchscreen is responsive. We like how you can configure widgets on the main home screen to suit your preferences, although there are a few too many sub-menus. Our test car came fitted with the optional bucket seats which come as part of the £2,000 M Sport Pro pack. The seven-year-old inside us couldn't help but appreciate the illuminated 'M' logo on the headrest, which is just one element of a vast array of ambient lighting throughout the cabin; the 'M' colours glimmer through pinholes in the dashboard trim and speakers which helps reinforce the 235's sporting character. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Interior space remains unchanged, meaning it'll be sufficient for families with one or two younger children, although adults as well as taller teenagers may struggle with the M235's sloping roofline. Unfortunately, unlike the larger 4 Series Gran Coupé, the 2 Series Gran Coupé isn't a hatchback, meaning you're stuck with a somewhat narrow opening for a boot that only offers 360 litres of space. Overall, though, the BMW's interior has more of a sense of occasion than its main rivals – the Audi S3, Mercedes-AMG A 35 and Volkswagen Golf R – while build quality remains top-class. Advertisement - Article continues below Conversely, we were rather disappointed with the old car's driving dynamics; it wasn't bad by any means, but didn't encourage you to drive it hard like other BMWs. Thankfully, the firm has made several chassis tweaks for this mid-life facelift that are intended to give the M235 a driving experience more befitting of a car wearing the famous M badge. These changes include suspension upgrades, body stiffening and reworked anti-roll bars at the rear. The result? The M235 is marginally more eager than the outgoing model, with heavy-yet-precise steering, plenty of grip and a rear end that will occasionally be goaded into bouts of oversteer if you fling the car into a tight bend at speed. Skip advert Advertisement - Article continues below Calm things down and on longer cruises, the M235 is sedate enough to satisfy buyers looking for a potent family car that's practical for everyday use. We managed around 36 mpg when cruising along A-roads and B-roads, while the adaptive suspension does well at soaking up the biggest bumps when the car is in Comfort mode. That said, in Sport setting, the M235 tends to tread the line between feeling fervent and unsettled. The Beemer's 2.0-litre engine isn't the most characterful powertrain out there – it doesn't like to be revved out too much – but offers more than a satisfactory amount of shove, helped along by a new quick-shifting seven-speed automatic gearbox. Advertisement - Article continues below Accelerate hard to around 4,500rpm and then lift off and you'll elicit some obviously artificial burbles from the exhaust; in Sport mode, it'll also let out a bark whenever you shift up, which adds to the drama somewhat. Ultimately, the M235 provides a modest improvement in terms of driving dynamics over its predecessor, despite being down in terms of power. Nevertheless, it doesn't come close to the agile, playful nature of the M2 and M240i Coupés. With this in mind, if you're after driving pleasure from your premium hot hatch, you'll be better served by the also-recently-updated Audi S3. This is slightly more expensive than the BMW which, in and of itself is just over a grand more than the old car, however the Audi now gets the limited-slip differential from the full-fat RS 3. Model: BMW M235 xDrive Price: £45,855 Powertrain: 2.0-litre, four-cylinder turbo petrol Power/torque: 296bhp/400Nm Transmission: Seven-speed auto, four-wheel drive 0-62mph: 4.9 seconds Top speed: 155mph Economy/CO2: 34.4-37.7mpg/173g/km Size (L/W/H): 4,546/2,070/1,445mm On sale: Now Latest BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe deals Did you know you can sell your car through Auto Express ? We'll help you get a great price and find a great deal on a new car, too . Share this on Twitter Share this on Facebook Email New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return New Ford Fiesta: latest details on supermini's potential return The Ford Fiesta could be coming back as an electric car, and here's everything we know so far Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution Flawed hybrid car efficiency data to stifle UK EV sales and propagate pollution Half a million extra PHEVs could reach UK roads by 2030 in place of cleaner EVs due to changes surrounding the ZEV Mandate Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales Labour hints at major luxury car tax U-turn to boost EV sales Is pressure from retailers and car makers finally cutting through with ministers?
Miami Herald
16-05-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
Here's Why I Think These 6 Used Convertibles Guarantee a Fun Summer Behind the Wheel
There is almost nothing better than driving around in a convertible car on a nice summer day. The sun's rays beating down on you, the wind in your hair (if you have any), and the sound of the car's engine as it works its way through the RPM range make for a glorious way to spend a hot day, which gets even better when the sun goes down. However, finding a new convertible car in the market is tough nowadays, as there are only a few available. With every buyer's interest turning to SUVs, automakers aren't seeing any need to produce convertible cars, since they have historically been a tough sale. Fortunately, the used car market has all types of convertible cars that can fit a variety of budgets. These range from sports cars to passenger cars, with some being more practical and sportier than others. Either way, if you're looking for a convertible car to make the most of summertime, here are six used examples that could fit your criteria. The Mazda Miata has been on the market since the early 90s, and over a million units have been sold worldwide, which means that it's still very popular. While some buyers may still doubt that the Miata is worth checking out because it's small and seemingly underpowered, we would beg those buyers to take a closer look. The latest generation of the Miata, which debuted in 2016, features an aggressive style inside and out, without straying away from its formula for success. Instead of pushing massive horsepower numbers, the Miata remains a fun ride by utilizing a lightweight body structure, an agile suspension, and a high-revving engine. Under its hood is a naturally aspirated, four-cylinder engine that produces 181 horsepower and 151 lb-ft of torque. That's not much, but it's enough to have fun driving the car, especially when it's equipped with a manual transmission. To top things off, the Mazda Miata is also available with either a soft-top or a retractable hardtop when the MX-5 RF version is chosen. The Honda S2000 is one of the most legendary convertible cars on the market. Not because it has a soft top that can fold down or up in less than 20 seconds, but mainly because of its powertrain. The S2000 is powered by a high-revving, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine that makes 237 horsepower and 153 lb-ft of torque. That power matches well with the car's sub-2,800-pound body frame, which is reinforced with a lot of bracing and aluminum for lightweight sturdiness. The earlier S2000 models (2000-2003) had a 9,000-rpm redline, which made the car extremely fun to drive, especially with its silky smooth six-speed manual transmission. Let's not forget that the S2000 was also one of the only rear-wheel-drive cars that Honda ever built, which only adds to the car's driving engagement. If Japanese roadsters aren't your thing, then the BMW 2 Series Convertible might be. The 2 Series is a stout luxury coupe that provides plenty of driving excitement with its balanced personality. The 2 Series offers elevated levels of braking, steering, and handling, making it a blast to drive on winding roads and open highways, especially when the top is down. Under the car's hood is a 255-horsepower, turbocharged four-cylinder engine, but if more power is desired, then the six-cylinder M240i is the better choice. Regardless of which trim level is chosen, the BMW 2 Series is a rear-drive platform in standard form, but an all-wheel-drive configuration can also be found. The 2 Series convertible was also produced as either a soft-top convertible or a hardtop coupe, making it a good fit for anyone in search of open-air motoring fun. The Porsche Boxster has always been a staple in the convertible sports car segment, thanks to its impeccable build quality and unrivaled speed. Over the years, the Boxster has gone through many different iterations and been powered by a variety of powertrains, but one thing has stayed the same: its layout. What makes the Boxster unlike most other convertibles is its mid-engine, rear-drive layout, which gives it a near-perfect weight balance for better cornering abilities. The current Boxster also provides plenty of thrust with its turbocharged, four-cylinder base engine that produces 300 horsepower and 280 lb-ft of torque. We would say that it's enough power for most motorists, but of course, it's hard not to recommend the 350-horsepower Boxster S, which only increases the driving fun. The Ford Mustang has been an icon in the automotive space since the 60s, and it doesn't look like it's going away anytime soon. The current Mustang is still offered in convertible form, but if you're looking for a bargain, we suggest checking out the last generation, produced from 2015 to 2023. The sixth-generation Mustang was the first to feature an independent rear suspension for better handling and ride refinement. In addition to a convertible body style, this version of the Mustang also came with a choice of three different engines, including a turbocharged four-cylinder, a peppy V6, and a monstrous V8. Of course, we would choose the latter for the best driving experience possible, even just from the sound of it alone with the top down. Like the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro is an iconic muscle car that's been on the scene since the late 60s, when it was introduced in both coupe and convertible form. While you may be able to track one of those down with some success, we recommend opting for the latest version for most technology, power, and refined drivability. The sixth-generation Camaro featured a well-equipped cabin, a sports suspension, and a choice of engines to suit a variety of tastes. The entry-level model featured a turbocharged four-cylinder engine that provided a good amount of power and fuel efficiency, but the 455-horsepower V8 was the one to get for optimal driving pleasure. For those who wanted some power without all the noise, the V6 engine split the difference between the two. No matter which powertrain you choose, however, the Camaro convertible is an excellent choice for summer fun. Although buyers are no longer gravitating toward convertibles and prefer SUVs instead, there are still plenty to be found in the used market. From American muscle to German finesse, these convertibles offer all kinds of driving fun with the simple push of a button or the flick of a switch, making them perfect for the warm summer days. As an added cherry on top, most of the examples you'll find on the used market cost far less than their new counterparts. Copyright 2025 The Arena Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Automotive
- Hindustan Times
BMW's electric 2 Series will come as a sedan, not a coupe. Will it come to India?
BMW i2 is expected to launch by 2030. BMW i2 is expected to launch by 2030 and it will replace the 2 Series coupe. BMW's Neues Klasse architecture, which has been designed and developed exclusively for electric cars, will underpin a range of new products. The BMW iX3 based on this platform, is slated to debut soon, followed by the BMW i3 sometime shortly after. The German luxury carmaker is also working on an i2, which will be different compared to the current 2 Series lineup. It is expected to come as a four-door sedan with an electric propulsion system. BMWBlog has reported that the upcoming BMW i2 electric sedan will serve as an entry-level model for the brand's EV portfolio. The report also states that the upcoming i2 will prioritise spaciousness and usability. Currently, the auto giant offers three versions of the BMW 2 Series - coupe or convertible, active tourer and gran coupe. Hence, spawning a new body style will be a major change. The report also claims that the electric i2 won't go on sale until 2030. Also Read : Upcoming cars in India The new BMW i2 claims to replace the fossil fuel-propelled 2 Series coupe. BMW has no plan to launch a successor to the car with an internal combustion engine. This could spell the end of the highly popular BMW M2 performance car. The BMW i2 claims to come with a rear-wheel or all-wheel drive setup, which means it will appeal to the fun-loving driving enthusiasts. When the BMW i2 goes on sale, it will come powered by the car manufacturer's sixth-generation battery technology. The new battery packs use cylindrical-shaped cells, which the OEM claims can increase range and charging speed by up to 30 per cent compared to the current models. Also, these cylindrical-shaped battery cells claim to generate fewer emissions during manufacturing. BMW has not revealed anything officially so far about the launch timeframe of the electric i2. Also, the carmaker has not revealed anything about the possibility of the car's India launch. However, we can expect it to be rolled out in the Indian market, which is one of the fastest-growing electric car markets globally. Check out Upcoming Cars in India 2024, Best SUVs in India. First Published Date: 05 May 2025, 06:31 AM IST
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Automotive
- Yahoo
BMW tells U.S. dealers it will ‘postpone' EV production, hold prices on most imports built through June
BMW, in an April 29 memo, told U.S. retailers that it will 'postpone' electric vehicle production in May. The memo did not provide a reason for the decision, and a BMW spokesperson declined to comment on the company's communications with its dealers. BMW also said in the memo that it will not raise prices on most imported vehicles built through June. However, the 2 Series and M2 performance coupe made in Mexico will get a 4 percent price hike starting in May. The decisions come as the industry navigates the Trump administration's 25 percent tariff on vehicle imports. AutoForecast Solutions Vice President Sam Fiorani said new tariffs have made importing vehicles more expensive. 'Add in that the EV market is saturated, and it doesn't make sense to add increasingly costly EVs to a crowded market,' Fiorani said. Sign up for our daily First Shift morning newscast email for a quick video to start your day. BMW has had sales success in the U.S. with its four electric models, all built in Germany. The luxury automaker sold 13,538 battery-electric vehicles from January through March, a 26 percent uptick from the first quarter last year. Sales of the i4 sedan surged 57 percent, while iX crossover sales jumped 23 percent. Increased tariffs on autos and uncertainty around the future of EV incentives threaten to ice the EV market. The Trump administration has signaled it will end the $7,500 federal clean vehicle tax credit, which fueled the technology's market adoption. J.D. Power predicts EV retail share will hold steady from 2024 at 9.1 percent in 2025, with sales of 1.2 million. Longer term, J.D. Power predicts EVs will represent 26 percent of the retail market by 2030, roughly half of former President Joe Biden's 50 percent target. J.D. Power in November found that 64 percent of premium brand EV owners said tax credits and other incentives were a primary driver of their decision to buy. Nearly half of mass-market EV owners said they selected their vehicle based on tax credits and incentives. Have an opinion about this story? Tell us about it and we may publish it in print. Click here to submit a letter to the editor.
