Some members of the BMW 2 Series family will actually retain rear-wheel drive, despite rumors and worries that the lineup would follow the 1 Series trend and go FWD only.
2 Series RWD\FWD Confusion
It’s no surprise that BMW fans everywhere were scared to death that the 2 Series could end up as a front-wheel-drive only lineup. After all, that’s the fate of the 1 Series and, in a few years, the 2 Series could very well have shared the same fate. As it turns out, part of the 2 Series will go front-wheel drive, but it will be the four-door model. That model will be based on the UKL front-wheel-drive architecture – the same architecture that underpins the 1 Series and the 2 Series Tourer.
Meanwhile, the two-door version of the 2 Series will ride on the familiar CLAR architecture that’s designed specifically front a front-engine, rear-wheel configuration. It’s also the same basis for the 3 Series and the Z4. With that said, all of you M2 fans out there can rest assured that the next 2 Series won’t end up as a front-wheel puller.
And, according to Bimmer Today, the convertible version of the next-gen 2 Series has been killed off to make room for the Z4. Apparently, BMW doesn’t have room for two compact roadsters in its lineup, so one had to go. Naturally, the 2 Series Convertible was the one that had to bite the dust. It could return for the following generation should BMW see actual interest, but I wouldn’t hold my breath for that one.
For reference, the 2 Series isn’t expected to go through a generational shift for a few more years. The current-gen has been going since 2015 and was updated for 2019, so the shift won’t come until at least 2021 or 2022. When it does shift, it will come with a completely updated look and revised engines as well. The M2 and M240i should be up for a pretty decent power increase while the four-door model will likely carry the engines found in the current 1 Series.
Further Reading
Read our full review on the 2018 BMW 2 Series Coupe.
Read our full review on the 2018 2 Series Convertible.
Read our full review on the 2018 BMW M2.
Read our full review on the 2018 BMW 1 Series.
Read more BMW news.