2022 BMW 2 Series Coupe Debuts As All-New Ford Mustang Rival

July 7, 2021 6:56 am

The world of sporty coupes is rapidly shrinking, and fans of the segment have fewer and fewer options to choose from these days. The Ford Mustang is of course a stalwart in the segment and will continue to offer V8 power for the foreseeable future, even if its chief rival – the Chevrolet Camaro – seems destined to be discontinued. Then there are the more luxurious offerings like the new 2022 BMW 2 Series coupe, which was just revealed with more subdued styling than the controversial 4 Series.

The 2022 BMW 2 Series also retains its rear-wheel-drive layout – though all-wheel-drive is available as well – which is great news for enthusiasts, along with the smaller kidney grilles. The new 2 Series also sports headlights inspired by the classic BMW 2002 sedan, triangular air intakes, short overhangs, and wide rear fenders with pronounced flares.

The 2022 2 Series is a bit larger than its predecessor – 4.3 inches longer and 2.6 inches wider, with a wheelbase that’s 2.0 inches longer. As a result, the interior also gains three cubic feet of passenger space. The cabin is standard BMW fare, with a touchscreen and analog instrumentation or an optional 12.3-inch digital cluster, sport seats, and a leather-wrapped steering wheel as standard equipment.

In the powertrain department, the 2022 BMW 2 Series offers two options. The RWD 230i is powered by the automaker’s turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, which is rated to produce 255 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. BMW says that 0-60 takes around 5.5 seconds, while the car is limited to either a 130 or 155 mile-per-hour top speed depending on what tires it’s equipped with.

Meanwhile, the AWD M240i xDrive is equipped with BMW’s turbocharged 3.0L inline-six that’s rated to produce 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, which powers the car to a 0-60 time of 4.1 seconds, though top speed is once again limited to either 130 or 155 mph. Both engines are backed up exclusively by an 8-speed automatic transmission, though it’s possible that the forthcoming 2022 M2 will offer a manual option.

When it launches in the U.S. this November, the 230i will feature a base MSRP of $37,345, while the M240i xDrive will start out at $49,545.

We’ll have more on all of Ford and Lincoln’s competition soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for 24/7 Ford news coverage.

By Brett Foote

Brett's lost track of all the Fords he's owned over the years and how much he's spent modifying them, but his current money pits include an S550 Mustang and 13th gen F-150.