Where 3-Cylinder Meets Luxury
Have you ever thought of a luxury car having a 3-cylinder engine?
Simply speaking, BMW is bringing the 1.5L twin-turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, from the latest Mini Cooper, to the 2-series coupe.
BMW’s New Family Member:
The new member with the 3-cylinder engine in the 2-series family will be named “218i”. The 1.5L three-banger will produce 134hp and 162 lb-ft of torque. BMW claimed the 218i can hit 100 kmh in 8.8 seconds (6-speed manual) or 8.9 seconds (8-speed auto). It is pretty slow for a BMW, you can probably beat it using a Corolla or Civic. But the small 218i can reach a respectable top speed of 132 mph.
Besides the better fuel efficiency the 3-cylinder engine provides, it also give the 218i a perfect 50:50 front/rear weight distribution, good for the handling.
Together with the 218i coupe, BMW is also announcing the AWD version of the 220d coupe, which is named “220d xDrive”. The BMW 220d xDrive is equipped with a 4-cylinder turbo-diesel engine which produces 188hp, 0-100 kmh time is a much-faster 6.8 seconds. Just like the other 2-series variants, both 6-speed manual and 8-speed automatic transmission will be offered.
Please note that this information is currently for European market only, we are not sure whether these new models will make their way to the US.
See the below press release for more details.
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The BMW 2 Series Coupe: New entry-level engines, new model variants, even greater individuality.
Premiere of the BMW 218i Coupe with 3-cylinder petrol engine from the new BMW Group engine portfolio and the BMW 220d xDrive Coupe – new and varied range of equipment features for model variants Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport.
Munich. From March 2015, new entry-level engines, a further four-wheel drive model and additional equipment options will increase the diversity of features available for the BMW 2 Series Coupe. With the market launch of the new BMW 218i Coupe, a three-cylinder petrol engine from the BMW Group’s latest engine family will be featured for the first time in the brand’s sporty and elegant compact model. State-of-the-art BMW TwinPower Turbo technology featured on the new power unit provides a maximum power output of 100 kW/136 hp and exemplary efficiency (combined fuel consumption: 5.6 – 5.1 litres; combined CO2 emissions: 130 – 118 g/km)*. Furthermore, from 2015, the intelligent four- wheel drive system BMW xDrive will also be available for the BMW 220d Coupe. The new equipment options will create further possibilities for individualisation that is directly aligned to the driver’s personal preferences. In future, the models Advantage, Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport will offer an alternative to the basic equipment range.
With its outstanding sporting characteristics and both dynamic and elegant design, the BMW 2 Series Coupe is absolutely unparalleled in its class. Thanks to the diversity of the engine portfolio and a varied range of equipment options, the compact two-door car also offers the ideal prerequisites for bespoke driving pleasure. Starting in the spring of 2015, there will be a choice of four petrol and three diesel engines, including the new entry-level power unit, whose brand- typical performance characteristics coupled with a four-wheel drive concept that is unique in the premium compact segment, will guarantee a particularly intensive driving experience. Additional facets of driving pleasure are made possible thanks to the intelligent four-wheel drive system xDrive, which is already now available for the BMW M235i Coupe and, in future, also for the BMW 220d Coupe. All engines can be optionally combined with the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, which is included as standard in the BMW 220d xDrive Coupe and in the most powerful model, the BMW 225d Coupe.
Compact, powerful, strong in character: The new three-cylinder petrol engine with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology featured in the BMW 218i Coupe.
Responsiveness, running smoothness and efficiency characterise the three- cylinder petrol engine featured in the new BMW 218i Coupe. From a cubic capacity of 1.5 litres, the newly developed power unit delivers a maximum output of 100 kW/136 hp and a maximum torque of 220 Nm available at 1,250 rpm. The car’s BMW TwinPower Turbo technology comprises a supercharger that is integrated into the exhaust manifold, a further developed direct petrol injection system, the latest version of the variable valve control system VALVETRONIC and Double VANOS variable camshaft control. The new power unit is conventionally positioned lengthwise at the front under the bonnet. Its low weight benefits the well-balanced load distribution of almost 50:50 between the front and rear axle.
The new BMW 218i Coupe accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 8.8 seconds (automatic: 8.9 seconds). Top speed is 212 km/h in each case. The temperamental power delivery during acceleration is accompanied by a distinctively sporty engine sound. Furthermore, the character of the three- cylinder engine is marked by brand-typical running smoothness. In terms of vibration behaviour, the engine shows parallels to BMW’s straight six-cylinder power unit and features a forged steel roller-bearing supported balancer shaft in order to reduce vibration.
Likewise, a further developed transmission also contributes towards the outstanding efficiency of the new model variants. Equipped with the standard 6- speed manual transmission, the new BMW 218i Coupe has an average fuel consumption of 5.6 to 5.1 litres per 100 km (CO2 emission level: 130 to
118 grams per km). In conjunction with the 8-speed Steptronic transmission, the corresponding figures are between 5.5 and 5.1 litres and 129 and 118 grams respectively (figures as per EU test cycle, depending on selected tyre size).
Intelligent four-wheel drive and latest diesel technology: The new BMW 220d xDrive Coupe.
The new engine family also includes the 2-litre four-cylinder diesel power unit with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology featured in the BMW 220d Coupe. From March 2015, the system BMW xDrive will be available for this model as an alternative to rear-wheel drive. In the new BMW 220d xDrive Coupe this intelligent four-wheel drive technology ensures not only optimised traction and vehicle stability in all road and weather conditions, but also increased dynamics when taking bends at higher speeds and optimal acceleration.
The 140 kW/190 hp four-wheel drive model accelerates from 0-100 km/h in 6.8 seconds. Average fuel consumption is between 4.7 and 4.3 litres per 100 km and CO2 emissions are between 124 and 113 grams per km (figures as per EU test cycle, depending on selected tyre size).
Bespoke elegance and dynamics: The new model variants Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport.
Even the basic standard equipment in the BMW 2 Series Coupe offers the best prerequisites for premium-class driving pleasure and includes, inter alia, automatic climate control, the BMW Professional radio and the iDrive control system with a high-resolution 6.5-inch colour display, leather-wrapped steering wheel, hands-free device with USB interface, rain sensor, adjustable armrest and 16, 17 or 18-inch (BMW M235i Coupe) light alloy wheels, depending on the engine size. From March 2015, there will be a choice of four models as alternatives to the basic version. With their harmoniously matching design and equipment options they all bestow the BMW 2 Series Coupe with a targeted increase in functionality, comfort, sophisticated elegance and sportiness.
The model Advantage features in addition to the basic equipment multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, Cruise Control with braking function, Park Distance Control with sensors at the rear, a storage package and fog lamps. Over and above these options, the model Sport Line and the model Luxury Line, which is available for the first time for the BMW 2 Series from the spring of 2015, also comprise exclusively designed 17-inch light alloy wheels, a light package and ambient light with variable colour change function as well as exclusively designed door sills, seat upholstery, interior trims and car key.
Moreover, the new model Luxury Line is recognisable by the Chrome Line exterior and the outer air intake surrounds, which, like the cross rib in the rear apron as well as the fronts of the eleven kidney grille bars and the exhaust tips, come in high-gloss chrome. Inside the car, Fineline Stream high-grade wood interior trims including an Oxide Silver accent strip, leather-wrapped sports steering wheel and Dakota leather trim in the colours Black, Terra or Oyster with accents in Dark Oyster as well as heated seats for driver and front seat passenger, all create an exceedingly exclusive ambience.
The corresponding exterior features and the wing mirror caps of the model Sport Line come in high-gloss black. Together with just eight kidney grille bars on this model, these details underscore the two-door car’s dynamic charisma. Fabric/Alcantara sports seats for driver and front-seat passenger, high-gloss black interior trims including a Coral Red matt accent strip, a uniquely designed instrument cluster and a kneepad on the driver’s side of the centre console bestow the interior with a sportive flair. Using the Driving Experience Control function supplied as standard in this model, it is possible to select the SPORT+ mode.
The model M Sport also comprises all equipment options found in the model Advantage, offering over and above that a multitude of additional features that not only foster but also optically enhance the intensive experience of driving the BMW 2 Series Coupe. These comprise the M Sport suspension, including a 10 mm lowering of the ride height, 17-inch M light alloy wheels with a double spoke design, the M aerodynamics package with large air intakes at the front, distinctive side sills and a diffuser insert for the rear apron, the BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line as well as a specially designed BMW kidney grille and a chrome tailpipe cover. Characteristic M flair in the interior is created, inter alia, through doorsills sporting the M logo, fabric/Alcantara sports seats for driver and front-seat passenger boasting an exclusive M design, Aluminium Hexagon interior trims with an accent trim strip in Estoril Blue, the M steering wheel, the unique dial design of the instrument cluster, an anthracite BMW Individual roof lining, a kneepad in the driver’s footwell, the M driver footrest and the option of activating the SPORT+ mode using the Driving Experience control feature.
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