The BMW manufacturer has built a solid reputation among driving enthusiasts over the decades, not least because of its three classic models, the 3 Series, 5 Series, and 7 Series. Today, the automotive industry must instead find ways to constantly expand its spectrum to attract more consumers to its showrooms. Needless to say, the X range is larger than ever, a comment that can also be said about the cars in the group. However, it seems that the current offer is no longer sufficient since BMW intends to tackle (finally!) The niche of small four-door coupes with the new Series 2 Gran Coupe.
Its official unveiling is scheduled for next November at the Los Angeles Auto Show, a great place to launch a sedan, US consumers who still have interest in this type of body. Unlike the current Series 2, this Series 2 Gran Coupé will be based on the same platform as the new Series 1 launched on the European market earlier in 2019. So, this Series 2 Gran Coupe will abandon its architecture to rear-wheel drive in favor of a front-wheel-drive arrangement, like Mercedes-Benz Class A and CLA for example. Of course, BMW promises to include its xDrive full-wheel drive in the equation, which will be delivered automatically on the M235i xDrive version that will benefit from the same engine introduced onboard the X2 M35i earlier this year. This sedan will have 306 horsepower under the hood, all connected to an automatic eight-speed transmission that will route this cavalry to all four wheels about car covers.
The automaker has also revealed an interesting detail on this future sedan-coupe. Indeed, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé will be equipped with a limited-slip Torsen mechanical differential, as well as this ARB technology installed onboard the BMW i3s that seeks to limit wheel spin not only to improve the performance of the vehicle but also reduce fuel consumption. At the time of writing, BMW Canada has confirmed that the new entry-level sedan was expected in the spring of 2020, likely as a 2021 model.
The BMW Vision
Those who fear losing their driving pleasure will find that the BMW VISION M NEXT allows them to put an end to their concerns. It will be an “M” car after all. If electric cars face many obstacles, the main one is autonomy, autonomous cars face a lot more. Safety is clearly at the forefront, but those who like you and me love the idea of simply going out for a walk, are seriously concerned that autonomous cars will take away driving pleasure. The BMW Vision M NEXT will present BMW’s future experience concepts such as “EASE” and “BOOST”.
EASE represents the feeling that occupants will feel when the vehicle takes control of the steering wheel. The cabin will be transformed into a comfortable space equipped with the latest infotainment technology. BOOST explains itself. Here, the driver takes control of the Vision M NEXT and engages in pure driving pleasure.
The car will be equipped with BMW’s Power PHEV drive system. Thus, a supercharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and electric motors on each axle provide 100% electric all-wheel drive. The system can alternatively send power only to the rear wheels, provided either by the gasoline engine or by the onboard batteries.
The total power of the system is 441 kW or 600 horsepower, which is enough for the BMW Vision M NEXT reaches a top speed of 300 km / h (186 mph) after reaching 100 km / h in just 3 seconds. The total autonomy in 100% electric mode is 100 km. This will be ideal for urban travel where only zero-emission technologies will be allowed and to cross the countryside to get away from these urban centers.
Physically, the BMW Vision M NEXT is an incredibly modern interpretation of BMW sports cars with different styling cues of the BMW i8, M1 and Nazca M12 concept. The two-color horizontal segmentation of the car can confuse the look, but the impact of neon-matt orange and matte-satin silver paint is striking and very cool.
BMW and Jaguar Land Rover will work together
Manufacturers BMW and Jaguar Land Rover have announced a collaboration in the development of electrical technology. This alliance that would save development costs will focus on electric motors, electronic transmission and power systems. Both players are already involved in the electrification of their respective fleets, BMW, which launched its i3 city car in 2013 and has since expanded its portfolio of vehicles equipped with a charging cable. On the Jaguar side, the arrival of I-PACE is sufficient to consider it as a major builder in the electric niche, but we should not forget the addition of some plug-in hybrid models to the equation.
Starting next year, BMW will launch its fifth generation of eDrive technology in its iX3 utility vehicle. It is this module that will serve as a basis for the development of the next electrified models of Jaguar Land Rover and BMW. “The automotive industry is changing. We believe that collaboration is the key to success, including in the field of electrification. With Jaguar Land Rover, we have found a partner whose requirements for the future generation of electric powertrains significantly match ours. Together, we have the opportunity to respond more effectively to customer needs by reducing development time and by rapidly marketing advanced vehicles and technologies, “said Klaus Fröhlich, CEO of BMW. A team based in Munich will, therefore, be called upon to further develop BMW’s fifth-generation module so that each division can apply advanced technologies to its respective products.
