Our Spies Caught The BMW 2 Series Out Testing With A New(ish) Design

New lights, a revised interior...and not much else.

The BMW 2 Series has been undergoing a ton of changes over the last year. It all started with the model’s first M car, the M2, hitting the automotive world like an asteroid from a Michael Bay film. The regular models were then renamed and given more powerful engines. The 228i became the 230i and the M235i the M240i. The changes don’t seem to be stopping there, at least not according to our spy photogs. They snagged shots of a bunch of 2 Series loaded onto a transport truck, with the destination reportedly a BMW testing facility.

The cars are almost entirely uncovered, save for some camouflage around the headlights, grille, taillights and a small strip at the rear right above the tailpipe. The camo on the headlights indicates that LED daytime running lights are on the way, and since the grille is hidden just a bit we expect it to receive a subtle redesign as well. The taillights should receive a slight makeover too. Despite these photos not showing the interior our spies say that it was covered up, so expect the cabin to be reworked as well, likely with more tech on offer. All in all this looks to be more like a haircut than a full-on makeover, which makes sense as the 2 Series has only be on the market for two years.

Our spies expect some engine updates when the barely retouched coupe makes its debut at some point next year, but we think the Bavarians will leave well enough alone. The 230i is quite sporty with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged inline-six in the M240i is almost as powerful as the unit in the M2 (335 hp and 369 lb-ft vs. 365 hp and 343 lb-ft), although its high price makes us a bit wary of declaring it a true budget alternative. If these minor exterior revisions don’t drive the price of the 2 Series up too high BMW’s smallest coupe will continue to be one of its strongest offerings.

It Was Only A Matter Of Time Until Our Spies Caught The BMW X2 Testing

Despite the camo, it looks a lot like the slick X2 Concept.

It was only a month or so ago that we first laid our eyes on the BMW X2 Concept at the Paris Motor Show. Now our spy photographers have caught BMW testing an X2 development mule on the streets of Munich, Germany. Despite the heavy camouflage it is, essentially, an X1 with an even sportier body. For example, the lower roof makes the X2 look wider and more masculine. Unlike the larger X4 and X6, the upcoming X2 won’t have a more coupe-like appearance and we think that’s a good thing.

After all, the X4 literally looks like a smaller version of the X6, and it would have been a shame if BMW continued that policy with the X2. Great to see something different is being done here. Like the X1 on which it’s based, the X2 will ride on a front-wheel-drive platform. All-wheel drive will be optional on xDrive models as well as a possible X2 M. As far as powertrains go, expect to see the same engines offered in the X1, such as the turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four with 228 hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The Euro-spec X1 has a diesel option but we’re still unsure whether that’ll arrive stateside. However, don’t be surprised to see a plug-in hybrid variant in the near future for both the X1 and X2.

We don’t know when exactly BMW will reveal the production ready X2, but the 2017 Geneva Motor Show in March or the Frankfurt Motor Show next September are two good guesses.

Our Spies Caught The BMW 2 Series Out Testing With A New(ish) Design

New lights, a revised interior...and not much else.

The BMW 2 Series has been undergoing a ton of changes over the last year. It all started with the model’s first M car, the M2, hitting the automotive world like an asteroid from a Michael Bay film. The regular models were then renamed and given more powerful engines. The 228i became the 230i and the M235i the M240i. The changes don’t seem to be stopping there, at least not according to our spy photogs. They snagged shots of a bunch of 2 Series loaded onto a transport truck, with the destination reportedly a BMW testing facility.

The cars are almost entirely uncovered, save for some camouflage around the headlights, grille, taillights and a small strip at the rear right above the tailpipe. The camo on the headlights indicates that LED daytime running lights are on the way, and since the grille is hidden just a bit we expect it to receive a subtle redesign as well. The taillights should receive a slight makeover too. Despite these photos not showing the interior our spies say that it was covered up, so expect the cabin to be reworked as well, likely with more tech on offer. All in all this looks to be more like a haircut than a full-on makeover, which makes sense as the 2 Series has only be on the market for two years.

Our spies expect some engine updates when the barely retouched coupe makes its debut at some point next year, but we think the Bavarians will leave well enough alone. The 230i is quite sporty with its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine making 248 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque. The turbocharged inline-six in the M240i is almost as powerful as the unit in the M2 (335 hp and 369 lb-ft vs. 365 hp and 343 lb-ft), although its high price makes us a bit wary of declaring it a true budget alternative. If these minor exterior revisions don’t drive the price of the 2 Series up too high BMW’s smallest coupe will continue to be one of its strongest offerings.