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Wednesday, 10 September 2014

BMW 2-Series Convertible

BMW 2-Series Convertible

(2015)

Kitted out with powerful engines, sophisticated chassis technology, finely balanced weight distribution and - uniquely in this class - rear-wheel drive, BMW is bringing an unmistakable brand of driving pleasure to the premium compact segment. Elegantly sporty design and an intense open-top motoring experience are the stand-out features of BMW Convertibles. And the BMW 2-Series Convertible brings together dynamic handling and refreshing open-air driving pleasure at a new level. The compact four-seater's powerful engine technology, athletic proportions, sweeping lines and hallmark "boat deck" character where the interior and exterior merge all raise the bar in its segment in terms of sporting and aesthetic appeal.
The BMW 2-Series Convertible follows in the tyre tracks of the pioneer and undisputed leader in its class: the BMW 1 Series Convertible entered the fray as the first open-top premium model in the compact segment, went on to defend its position as clear market leader against subsequent pretenders to its throne, and achieved sales figures in excess of 130,000 units worldwide. The development team for the new BMW 2-Series Convertible has focused squarely on building on the strengths which proved pivotal to this success. With even more grace, athleticism and sharpness about its design, clear advances in terms of acceleration, agility and efficiency, and improvements in the driving comfort, functionality and innovative equipment features it offers, the BMW 2-Series Convertible takes the qualities displayed by its predecessor to yet another level.


Elegance and openness in the established style of BMW Convertibles

The exterior design of the BMW 2-Series Convertible displays the typical characteristics of an open-top four-seater from the Bavarian brand. A sweeping silhouette accentuates the new model's elegance, while athletically formed surfaces underline its sporting qualities on the road. Once opened, the electrically operated fabric soft-top stows away fully into the rear of the car, allowing the shoulderline and soft-top compartment to merge harmoniously. As the two meet, they wrap a level surface around the passenger compartment that helps to give the car its distinctive "boat deck" character. The typically BMW set-back seating position allows a particularly refreshing open-top motoring experience - intense contact with the sun and wind is another keynote feature of Convertibles from BMW.
With a body stretching for 4,432 millimetres, the BMW 2-Series Convertible extends 108 millimetres further down the road than the BMW 1 Series and is also 72 millimetres longer than its direct predecessor, the BMW 1 Series Convertible. Its body width, wheelbase and track width likewise show notable increases over the previous model, making for distinctive, elegantly stretched, athletic proportions.


BMW 2-Series Convertible: blazing a trail for driving pleasure all over again

 

A host of innovations on board the BMW 2-Series Convertible allow it to break new ground in various areas. For example, the BMW M235i Convertible - powered by a 240 kW/326 hp six-cylinder in-line engine - is the first open-top member of the BMW M Performance Automobile line-up. And the BMW 220d Convertible gives a diesel unit from the BMW Group's new engine family its premiere in a compact BMW model. The 140 kW/190 hp teams up, as standard, with a likewise new six-speed manual gearbox or, as an option, with a further developed eight-speed Steptronic transmission.
The BMW 2-Series Convertible also leads the way with a significant new innovation in the area of intelligent connectivity. For the first time, map data for the optional Navigation system Professional can be updated via a mobile phone connection - i.e. (fittingly, given our open-top subject matter) "over the air".


The design: Athletic, elegant and open to thrills

 

The familiar exterior design of Convertibles from BMW also announces the presence of the brand's customary open-top driving pleasure in the compact segment. The BMW 2-Series Convertible combines a low-slung silhouette and dynamically stretched lines with compact proportions and powerfully contoured surfaces, providing a showcase for the open-top four-seater's sophisticated elegance and agile sporting ability. As with the BMW 2-Series Coupe, its distinctive looks underline its standalone status in the brand's model line-up and spotlight the dynamic potential, intensive open-top driving experience and outstanding premium characteristics that customers can expect. All in all, the eye-catching features which mark the BMW 2-Series Convertible out from its rivals need no second introduction.
Opening the soft-top roof highlights the harmonious transition between the exterior and interior. The shoulderline and soft-top compartment create a level surface that wraps around the passenger compartment and evokes the distinctive "boat deck" character of BMW Convertibles. The rollover bars, which remain out of sight unless deployed as required, also contribute to an overall impression dominated by large level surfaces. The design of the interior is headlined by modern functionality, high-quality materials and the driver focus for which BMW is renowned. And exclusive accents in the centre console help to give the BMW 2-Series Convertible a refined premium feel in keeping with the car's character.


Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport variants provide effective individualisation options

 

Customers tempted to look beyond standard specifications will be able to order their BMW 2-Series Convertible in four special variants offering carefully considered individualisation through the use of harmoniously coordinated design and equipment features. The Advantage variant, for example, offers customers features such as a multifunction steering wheel, Cruise Control with braking function, Park Distance Control, a storage package and front foglamps. The Sport Line and Luxury Line variants add 17-inch light-alloy wheels in their own exclusive design, ambient lighting with variable use of colours, a sliding armrest, plus special door sill strips, seat upholstery, interior trim strips and car key designs. And the M Sport model also comes with the equipment features included in the Advantage variant, plus an M Sport package developed specially for the BMW 2-Series Convertible.
The surrounds for the outer air intakes, the front of the kidney grille bars, the cross rib in the central air intake and the rear apron all have a high-gloss black finish in the Sport Line variant. These details join together with a reduction in the number of kidney grille bars from 11 to eight and an exhaust tailpipe embellisher in black chrome to highlight the dynamic character of the BMW 2-Series Convertible. Sports seats for the driver and front passenger, a specially styled instrument cluster and a knee pad on the driver's side of the centre console heighten the sense of sporting flair in the interior. The Luxury Line variant fuses high-gloss chrome design elements with the Chrome Line exterior package to create a classily elegant appearance. The exclusive interior ambience is enhanced by interior trim strips in exquisite Fineline Stream wood, including an accent strip in Oxide Silver, and a sports leather steering wheel.
The M Sport package, which is part of the M Sport variant, comprises bespoke suspension tuning (including a 10-millimetre drop in ride height and 17-inch M light-alloy wheels in double-spoke design), aerodynamically optimised body elements (including large front air intakes, eye-catching side skirts and a diffuser for the rear apron), as well as a special design for the BMW kidney grille and an exhaust tailpipe embellisher in high-gloss chrome. In addition to aluminium door sill strips bearing the M logo, features such as sports seats for the driver and front passenger, a sliding armrest, Aluminium Hexagon interior trim strips with an accent strip in Estoril Blue, an M leather steering wheel, a special dial design for the instrument cluster, ambient lighting and an M driver's footrest also combine to bring an intense aura of sporty driving to the interior of the BMW 2-Series Convertible.



The driving experience: Customised agility and comfort, top-class efficiency

 

Perfect for relaxed city or out-of-town cruising, the BMW 2-Series Convertible also offers dynamic performance that is impressive for a compact open-top model, not to mention outstanding efficiency. These many talents come courtesy of state-of-the-art engines with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology, an extensive range of standard-fitted BMW EfficientDynamics technologies, a typical BMW rear-wheel-drive set-up and advanced chassis technology. All engine versions are more powerful than their corresponding predecessors, while at the same time boasting reduced fuel consumption and emissions. The power hike is anything up to 20 kW in each case, while fuel consumption has been reduced by an average of 18 per cent. The chassis design and tuning is matched both to the special needs of the convertible format and to the enhanced performance. The new models also come with an unusually extensive range of optional chassis systems. To sum up, the BMW 2-Series Convertible combines maximum driving enjoyment in a premium compact-segment format with an exhilarating open-top driving experience.
The market launch of the BMW 2-Series Convertible will also mark the debut in a BMW compact model of a four-cylinder diesel unit from the new BMW Group engine family. This new 2.0-litre engine, fitted in the BMW 220d Convertible, generates a maximum power of 140 kW/190 hp. Customers can also choose between two four-cylinder petrol engines with 180 kW/245 hp (in the BMW 228i Convertible) and 135 kW/184 hp (in the BMW 220i Convertible). Completing the line-up is a six-cylinder in-line 240 kW/326 hp unit in the BMW M235i Convertible (see chapter 6). All the engines can be combined with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission, which is the only unit of its kind in the compact segment and which brings further reductions in fuel consumption and emissions compared with the standard six-speed manual unit.





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