There are two trim levels for the BMW 2-Series: 230i and M240i. Both are available as convertibles or 2-door coupes. Although xDrive all-wheel drive is an option on both trims, both vehicles have rear-wheel drive. A 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine with 248 horsepower and 259 pound-feet of torque powers the 230i. The 3.0L straight-six turbocharged engine in the M240i generates 335 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque. A 6-speed manual transmission is a free option on both models, while an 8-speed automatic transmission is standard on both vehicles.
The 2-Series’ goal is in large part to be enjoyable to drive. This has been accomplished by BMW using an entirely independent suspension system with a 5-link rear suspension system, which is a somewhat uncommon feature in this class. Thus, in addition to being quite swift in a straight line, the 2-Series is able to out-handle most of its rivals. Body roll, dive, and squat are all effectively managed without degrading the ride comfort of the vehicle.
The BMW 230i is the less impressive of the two models, but it still comes with a respectable amount of equipment. 6.5-inch full-color display, a USB port, automatic climate control, rain-sensing wipers, 17-inch alloy wheels, fog lamps, an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat, 60/40 folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the stereo and Bluetooth setup, automatic climate control, and a memory system that remembers the driver’s preferred settings for everything are all included as standard features. Larger wheels, a rear spoiler, better suspension tuning, and other features are available as Sport Line or M Sport upgrades for the 230i.
Starting with the more powerful engine, of course, the M240i comes with superior equipment. The M240i also has larger brakes, 18-inch alloy wheels, front seats that can be adjusted in 10 different ways with power, a sports instrument cluster, and dynamic cruise control.
Leather seating surfaces, satellite radio, heated seats, a sunroof, a Harman/Kardon luxury sound system, and concierge services are all available extras for the 2-Series. A navigation system with real-time traffic updates and access to BMW apps are included in the technology package, which also includes a driver assistance package with parking sensors and a rear-facing camera. Adaptive M Suspension, variable sport steering, M Sport brakes, and Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires are included in the Track Handling Package.
Similar to their coupe predecessors, the 2-Series convertibles in both 230i and M240i form have a power-operated top that raises or lowers in less than 20 seconds.
Anti-lock brakes, stability/traction control, and numerous airbags are among the safety features. An emergency request system that will trigger in the case of a collision is also standard on the BMW 2-Series. The system has a 10-year subscription included.
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Overview
The 2023 BMW M2, which has rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission that is an option, is anticipated to maintain the enjoyable driving characteristics of its predecessor. While the latest M2 is built on the same platform as the standard BMW 2-series, it is once again designed to deliver optimum performance. It will not only feature a more unique design and a chassis that has been particularly calibrated, but its twin-turbocharged inline-six engine should produce more horsepower than the outgoing M2 Competition’s 405 horsepower. The 2023 M2 will come with both a manual and an eight-speed automatic transmission. What other information is there regarding the two-door coupe? We’ll just have to wait till BMW makes them public.
Coming Soon: An All-Wheel Drive New BMW M2
BMW M’s most pure performance machine, according to new technical documents, might become much more complicated.
If recently unearthed documents are accurate, the BMW M2, the smallest BMW M model in the German automaker’s lineup, might get the all-wheel-drive treatment.
Whether BMW and its M division still represent the enthusiast brand it once did has been the subject of intense discussion. Both the new M4 CSL and the 3.0 CSL are impressive, but the XM SUV deviates the most from BMW’s core philosophy of driver-focused automobiles. But regardless of your position on the debate, practically everyone can agree that the BMW M2 represents M at its pinnacle.
The new G87-generation M2 is expected to be launched later this year and is the final non-hybrid M vehicle. It will be a rear-wheel drive coupe with a six-speed manual transmission. However, the list of options can include AWD.
This audacious assertion originates from the Bimmerpost site, where forum user Tag claims to have located documentation in BMW’s technical information system that indicate the next M2 will be available with all-wheel drive.
He came across a service information manual for BMW personnel that breaks down the specifics of the M xDrive AWD system. The information is for the M2, development code G87, the new model, it is explicitly stated at the top of the text.
With considerable investigation, Tag also located the same document for the G82 BMW M4 Competition xDrive, observing that, except from the vehicle description, the two documents (see screenshots below) are identical. This makes sense because the M2 and M4 share a lot of suspension parts, have the same S58 six-cylinder engine, and are based on BMW’s CLAR design.
Given that the G87 document only refers to the model as “M2” and the M4 designates “Competition M xDrive” under the model designation, this could be a filing error on the part of BMW. However, we doubt it and think BMW will offer AWD as a choice for the M2.
This would be simple for BMW to implement given that the M240i is now only offered with the AWD system, and it would give customers – particularly those in frigid locations – all-weather performance. In some driving modes, the M xDrive system can distribute up to 100% of its torque to the rear axle, giving buyers the option of a vehicle with various personalities.
While the RWD M2 will be offered with a stick-shift or BMW’s standard eight-speed torque converter automatic sourced from ZF, we anticipate the xDrive model will only be offered in automatic configuration.
New BMW M2 performance and engine
The M2 will be offered with something a little bit more powerful than the three-, four-, and six-cylinder petrol engines that are available for the standard BMW 2 Series coupe.
Future competition versions may use the M3 and M4’s engines instead of the 3.0-liter turbocharged six-cylinder engine now found in the BMW M240i, M340i, and BMW Z4 M40i.
The BMW M2 will have more horsepower than the 374 in the M240i, however exact numbers won’t be known until closer to the vehicle’s launch.
The new M2 will probably be available with the same xDrive all-wheel-drive technology as the M240i, but it’s also plausible that rear-wheel drive will be an option.
If the last BMW M2 is any indication, a six-speed manual gearbox will come standard, with an automatic transmission also being an option.
This eight-speed transmission may be the same as that found in the BMW M4. If an all-wheel-drive model is provided, it’s likely to be the only one that comes with an automatic transmission.
No xDrive all-wheel drive is planned for the next BMW M2.
We recently published our reviews of the brand-new 2023 BMW M2 last night. They are available here and here. Even though we brought out the G87 M2’s lack of an xDrive all-wheel drive, there is still some uncertainty around the matter. So, let me tell you what happened. There are no plans to provide the G87 BMW M2 with all-wheel drive, according to BMW engineers and management. That holds true for both the 2023 model set for debut and all following models through M2’s lifecycle’s conclusion.
Future BMW M2 is too fat for AWD in 2023
The BMW M2 of 2023 is here. In reality, the M2 was already being teased by the German luxury automaker while it underwent demanding track testing at Salzburgring in Austria. The M2 is expected to debut in October and reach showrooms by April 2023. This made us wonder if the M2, like the M3 and M4, would benefit from the brand’s M xDrive all-wheel drive (AWD) technology, but sadly, that won’t be the case.
When questioned by BMW Blog if an M2 with M xDrive was in the works, engineers and corporate executives replied that such a configuration for the M2 is not in the works. There won’t be an AWD M2 for the G87 generation, so don’t anticipate it to come at any time in the M2’s lifespan either.
Weight is the only factor holding back the availability of AWD for the planned 2023 M2. The new M2 is likely to add a little weight when it transitions to the brand’s CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform, which already supports the M3, M4, M5, and numerous other rear-wheel drive (RWD) BMWs.
The BMW M240i weighs 3,519 pounds, and the xDrive model increases that weight to 3,871 pounds. The M240i wouldn’t have any trouble with the extra weight because it’s a M Performance car that nevertheless prioritizes usability and comfort in daily driving.
The Porsche 718 Cayman and other lightweight two-door coupes and sports cars will go head-to-head with the BMW M2, a true M car that is primarily intended to be a track weapon. Every pound counts in this market, so even while the M2 can be driven every day, it must still live up to the expectation of being the best two-door sports car (or coupe) available.
Buyers who live in snowy climates will undoubtedly be turned off by the lack of AWD, but the weight penalty of adding AWD will hurt the M2’s target market much more. And let’s face it, the RWD layout and balanced handling of the M2 already make it the ideal vehicle for providing thrills on the racetrack.
BMW M240i Demonstrates All-Wheel Drive’s Strength to M2 Competition
Most likely, you’ll be considering the M2 if you want the 2-Series model that is most geared for drivers. However, the new M240i xDrive might be the best option if you want a 2-Series that you can sprint between the lights in.
YouTuber Sam CarLegion put the new M240i xDrive and an M2 Competition through a series of tests to see which one is better for red-light drag racing. The two appear to line up very well on paper.
A 3.0-liter inline-six turbocharged engine with 382 horsepower and 369 lb-ft (500 Nm) of torque powers the M240i xDrive. It’s significant that this engine only works with an eight-speed automatic transmission and the xDrive all-wheel drive system. The vehicle weighs 3,671 pounds on the curb (1,690 kg).
The M2 Competition, which is located in the opposite corner, has a 3.0-liter turbocharged inline-six engine and produces 405 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque (550 Nm). The test vehicle had the optional dual-clutch transmission and a curb weight of roughly 3,600 lbs (1,632 kg). Despite its advantages in weight and power, rear-wheel drive makes it more challenging to accelerate.
The driver of the M240i xDrive in the first race receives a significantly better launch, driving off into the distance and leaving the M2 for dead. The second race is significantly more competitive because the driver of the M2 Competition accelerated from the starting line exactly as rapidly as the M240i did and started to pull away as the speeds rose.
The next event is a pair of rolling races between the two. The gearbox of the M2 Competition was able to kick down significantly more swiftly in the first race when the transmissions were left in their automatic modes, giving it an easy victory.