Manufacturer specifications
Engine
2,0 l / Four-cylinder
TwinPower Turbo
Power
147 KW
Torque
420 Nm
0–100 km/h
Not Available
Fuel consumption
Average 4,8 l /100 km
CO2
125 g/km
Price
From R404 500
The all-new name plate to the BMW stable is the 2 Series. Well, to be honest, it’s not new but rather a reincarnation of a vehicle that stole many hearts and continues to do so. That vehicle was the BMW 2002ti.
This new 2 is a series rather than an individual vehicle. I had the 2,0-litre diesel version on test, which I was not too happy with, considering that I was hoping to get a petrol version. I was concerned that I would get a Plain Jane clucky oil burner.
I was pleasantly surprised when the vehicle arrived, as it was no ordinary 2 Series, but a 220d with the full M-Sport performance body kit. This changed everything, as the car looked more street racer than plain Jane. The gleaming white body colour came with charcoal rims that looked like they came off a touring vehicle. Added to this there are carbon fibre side skirts and rear diffuser. The front diffuser is painted in a high-gloss red and this paint work is flowed through to the bottom section of the side skirts as well. All this just makes this 2 Series one of the best-looking small coupés on the road. If I had to buy this vehicle, I would only take it with this optional extra.
The standard 2 Series does have a sporty look and many have called it a 1 Series with a boot or a coupé 1 Series, but this vehicle is so much more than that. The sporty front section is immediately distinguishable from being part of the BMW stable, but the more athletic section. The front-to-side three-quarter view of the vehicle belongs on every kid’s room wall, with the vehicle’s swooping lines that flow seamlessly into one another. The elongated bonnet and squat boot complete the coupé look, hinting at the vehicle’s sports heritage.
Inside you expect a small cramped cabin with almost no leg room, but you will be pleasantly surprised as the cabin is fairly roomy and comfortable. If memory serves me correct, this 2 Series is actually more spacious inside that the legendary 325is. The one drawback, though, is the rear headroom, in that there is not much. The rear legroom is enough for an average-sized adult but they may have to chop their head off to sit comfortably.
In the cockpit, this is typical BMW with all controls easy to reach and the now almost perfect i-drive is standard, controlling all your infotainment with a click and a turn of a knob. The extra-chunky steering wheel and sports seats area also form part of the M-Sport performance kit.
On the road, the car was an absolute pleasure to drive; the gears were smooth and the steering was light. Switch to sport and the vehicle goes through a metamorphosis letting out its rage. The gears are stretched almost to their limit before changing, and cornering just brings a smile to your face. The diesel motor does have a small amount of turbo lag at low revs, but once you get accustomed to the vehicle, you know exactly when the turbo will kick in and what to expect. The best part of this vehicle was its diesel consumption – with my lead-heavy foot I averaged a crazy 7,6 litres per 100 kilometres. Driving normally and within the speed limit I managed to bring that down to 4,5 litres per 100 km on a trip to Pretoria.
The all new 2 Series will definitely live up to the nostalgia of its predecessor, the 2002ti, and personally I think once launched, the M2 will dislodge the 325is from its pedestal of being one of the best driver’s cars BMW has ever made. ❐
Author: Torque Talk is a member of SAGMJ
