BMW M2
The BMW 2-Series is available in five models, the 230i which is offered as a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive coupe, the 228 Gran Coupe is also available in all-wheel drive or the uncommon front-wheel drive version, the M240 which can be had as a rear-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, the M235 Gran Coupe which only comes in all-wheel drive and finally the M2 which only comes in all-wheel drive for both trims.
The 228 Gran Coupe continues to be powered by a 2.0L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine producing 241 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque. The 230i uses the same engine tuned to 255 horsepower while the M235 Gran Coupe is tuned to 301 horsepower. For buyers looking for more power the M240 features one of the famous turbocharged 3.0L 6-cylinder engines that produce 382 horsepower and 369 pound-feet of torque, mated with an 8-speed automatic transmission.
A big part of the mission of the 2-Series is to be fun to drive. BMW has accomplished this through an all-independent suspension with a 5-link rear suspension setup, a unique feature in this class. The 2-Series is thus able to out-handle most of its competitors in addition to being quite quick in a straight line. Body roll, dive and squat are all nicely controlled without compromising the car's ride quality.
The 228 Gran Coupe comes with a 7-speed automatic transmission and includes 18-inch alloy wheels on all-season tires, LED headlights and taillights, navigation with a widescreen display, parking assistance and 40-20-40 rear seats.
The BMW 230i is the next up in line but still is reasonably well equipped. Standard features include 18-inch alloy wheels, 40-20-40 folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with controls for the stereo and Bluetooth setup, sport bucket front seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, push button start, rain-sensing wipers, power folding heated mirrors, LED headlights and an integrated memory system.
Third up is the M235i which comes in the Gran Coupe body style and includes 18-inch bi-color wheels with all-season tires, a 7-speed dual clutch transmission which shifts much faster than the standard 7-speed automatic transmission and it also includes paddle shifters, M sport exterior and interior elements, adaptive M suspension, M sport brakes with blue calipers, LED headlights with auto high-beam, a Harman Kardon sound system and an interior M illuminated aluminum hexacube matte trim.
Just when you thought it could not get better, the M240i steps it up a notch, with one of the main differences being the 3.0L 6-cylinder engine that produces roughly 140 more horsepower. Other features on the M240i include bigger brakes, painted front and rear calipers, sport tuned suspension, 19-inch alloy wheels, a 12.3-inch touchscreen and power sunroof.
Now for those who like living on the edge and want big power combined with a lightweight chassis, the M2 is the car for you. The M2 reaches 60 mph in 3.7 seconds thanks to its 3.0L inline 6-cylinder engine that produces 473 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque with manual or automatic transmission options that send power to the rear wheels. A specially tuned suspension that includes a stiffer body and unique damper and spring rates greatly enhances its handling capabilities while maintaining ride comfort. Inside the M2, one finds the same layout as the other 2 series, but there are subtle differences like a flat-bottom steering wheel with extra features and available options like carbon fiber seats to reduce weight.
The 2-Series' infotainment system comes with a 12.3-inch touchscreen, a 10-speaker sound system, SiriusXM satellite radio, voice-activated navigation, Apple CarPlay compatibility, adaptive cruise control and dual-zone climate control.
Safety features include anti-lock brakes alongside stability/traction control. Safety features across the whole 2-series lineup include front and rear parking sensors, active lane departure warning system, blind spot warning, forward collision mitigation, rear collision warning and pedestrian detection system.