Snapshot
- 2023 BMW 2 Series and M3 to receive large curved displays
- Rear-wheel-drive M240i announced with less power
- Production to commence from July
BMW has announced the 2023 2 Series Coupe is set to receive its curved dashboard display and two new rear-wheel-drive variants in Europe.
Production is to commence from July, with the curved screens consisting of a 12.3-inch instrument cluster and 14.9-inch infotainment system running iDrive 8 to replace the existing separated displays featuring iDrive 7.
A rear-wheel-drive version of the M240i is also coming, slotting below the current all-wheel-drive ‘xDrive’ variant.
Power is slightly reduced at 275kW, compared to the full-fat 285kW tune in the M240i xDrive.
While this is a step closer to the previous, RWD-only F22 generation, the M240i will continue to be exclusively paired with an eight-speed ZF torque-converter automatic transmission.
In addition, BMW is adding to the bottom end of the 2 Series Coupe range with the 218i, which features a detuned version of the 2.0-litre turbo found in the 220i producing 115kW of power and 250Nm of torque.
BMW claims the M240i RWD will complete the 0-100km/h sprint in 4.7 seconds – down 0.4s on the M240i xDrive – while the 218i is exactly four seconds slower.
In Australia, the newly-added mid-spec 230i will arrive in June from $70,900 before on-road costs, slotting between the 220i and M240i xDrive – although it will not feature the changes listed above.
The German marque also confirmed the M3 will adopt the larger screens, following the unveiling of the facelifted 2023 3 Series range this week.
No other changes are planned for the M3, although the long-booted M3 Touring is set for reveal in the coming months.
Wheels has contacted BMW Australia for local comment. This article will be updated when further information becomes available.
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