Review
BMW 2 Series Convertible
With sunny summer days ahead, people want to do something outside. A nice terrace or eating your sandwiches outside in the afternoon is a good start. You can also enjoy the beautiful weather while driving, best in a convertible. Preferably a sporty convertible. We let our hair flow in the new BMW 2 Series Convertible.
engines
In terms of engines, the convertible is available with 4 petrol engines with rear-wheel drive. The entry-level version is the 218i with 136 hp. Next we have the 220i convertible 184 hp. There is also the 228i with 245 hp or the absolute top: the M235i. This has a 3.0 liter six-cylinder in-line and a power of 326 hp. There is also a four-cylinder diesel available with TwinPower turbo, the 220d with 190 hp. You can drive a 218i from €33,000 and a 220d from €37,300. For the M you have to pay at least €51,300.
We drove the 220i convertible with optional Steptronic automatic gearbox. This four-cylinder has a lung capacity of 1,997 cc with TwinPower turbo technology. The engine produces 184 hp and has a maximum torque of 270 Nm, which is available between 1250 and 4500 rpm. Acceleration to 100 km/h takes 7.6 seconds with the automatic transmission and the top speed is 226 km/h. From €36,300 you can get a breath of fresh air in your own 220i. The 220i likes a spirited driving style and the Steptronic shifts up and down quickly. Relaxing cruising with the roof down without too much engine noise is also perfectly possible.
Soft top
The fabric roof can be opened and closed electrically in just 20 seconds and at speeds of up to 50 km/h. You open and close it with a button on the center console. The 2 Series Convertible is equipped with a black fabric roof as standard. Optionally, you can choose an anthracite or a brown fabric roof, each with a silver effect. It is noticeable when you are driving that even with a fabric roof, the 2 Series is very well insulated against road noise.
If you look to the rear when the roof is closed, you cannot help but notice that the rear roof takes away quite a bit of the view in the corners. Personally, we would certainly opt for the optional reversing camera (€ 430).
With the hood down, the 2 Series Convertible is quite a handsome appearance. BMW itself talks about a view with the allure of a ship deck. We can agree with this description. It certainly fits the atmosphere of this leisure car. Driving with the roof open and the sun on our skulls was a pleasant experience. During our test drive there was a more than strong wind. With the windows at the front and back up you were relatively out of the wind. Of course we occasionally felt the wind tickling behind our ear, but that’s part of it. It is a convertible, after all.
Head roll
In terms of safety, the 2 Series Convertible is equipped with, among other things, an invisible rollover protection system. This system consists on the one hand of roll bars that are built in behind the rear headrests. In the event of a rollover, these spring up in a fraction of a second, clicking into place and thus protecting the occupants. On the other hand, the system also consists of strengthening the windscreen frame and in the event of a rollover, the seat belt tensioners are also activated.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a compact and luxurious convertible, the new BMW 2 series Convertible is definitely worth considering. This handsome leisure car with a wide choice of engines can offer something for everyone, with the highlight being the M235i with 326 hp.
Johan De Haes
Test driver
