BMW’s initial lineup for the new 2 Series coupe includes the rear-wheel drive 220i and 220d, followed by the spicy M240i xDrive. The 230i will follow next summer, the three having one thing in common: the absence of a manual transmission. Our friends from BMWBLOG have learned that the Bavarians plan to diversify the lineup by introducing an RWD version of the M240i, but even that will remove the shifter.
The happy M240i is expected to arrive either towards the end of the year or early 2022, exclusively with the eight-speed Steptronic transmission. As is the case with the xDrive version, the RWD version will likely get the Steptronic Sport version of the gearbox with steering wheel paddles and launch control.
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It looks like BMW wants people to upgrade to the full M2 to get a manual, as there are plenty of rumors to suggest that the top end will have a three-pedal setup. In addition, the flagship of the Series 2 is supposed to come exclusively in RWD form, unlike the big brother M4 now available with xDrive for the first time.
In the meantime, it should be noted that the M Performance model is more powerful in the United States than in Europe, probably because the version sold on the Old Continent must comply with more stringent emissions regulations. The American-spec M240i xDrive offers 382 horsepower (285 kilowatts) and 369 pound-feet (500 Newton-meters), while its European cousin has to settle for 369 horsepower (275 kW) and the same torque.
Interestingly, the power delivered also varies between the two. The North American variant of the M240i delivers full power from 5,800 rpm while the Euro unlocks all horsepower a little earlier, at 5,500 rpm. The reverse is true for torque since the US-spec model delivers full torque from 1,800 rpm compared to the Euro-spec coupe from 1,900 rpm.
The M2 is believed to have up to 450 hp and 400 lb-ft (542 Nm) and will arrive at some point in 2023.
