Will be out in 2016

The first ever BMW M2 (codenamed F87) has been spied conducting heavy testing around the Nürburgring Nordschleife.

The BMW M235i Coupe will be dethroned in 2016 by a fully-fledged M2 programmed to sit on top of the 2-Series family. The M2 is expected to get the same inline-six TwinPower 3.0-liter gasoline engine but instead of 326 PS (240 kW) it will develop approximately 380 PS (279 kW). The extra punch will lower the 0-62 mph (0-100 km/h) from 4.8 seconds to an estimated 4.5s.

Aside from the additional oomph, the BMW M2 (known internally as "pyrat2") will benefit from a cosmetic makeover which will include a more aggressive and wider body matched with a quad pipe exhaust arrangement, stiffer suspension, uprated brakes and beefier alloys. It will also boast an electronically-controlled limited slip differential (aka Active M Differential) and could be offered with both manual and automatic transmissions as prototypes have been spotted testing with a 6-speed manual and an eight-speed auto.

Slated to enter production phase in November 2015 (March 2016 for US-spec cars), the BMW M2 will serve as a successor for the 1-Series M Coupe ("pyrat") and is likely go on sale in the spring of 2016. Needless to say, it will cost considerably more than the M235i which in Germany kicks off at €43,750 while in United States begins at $43,100.

Offered with an 8-speed auto or a 6-speed manual

BMW has introduced a new diesel engine for its 2-Series Coupe model.

The Bavarian manufacturer has replaced the 2.0-liter diesel unit in the 220d Coupe with a new power plant with the same displacement. Equipped with BMW’s TwinPower Turbo technology and generating 190 PS (140 kW) and 400 Nm (295 lb-ft) of torque, the B47 diesel works with a either a revised 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual.

When fitted with the automatic, the car does the 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) acceleration in only 7 seconds, while the average fuel consumption is rated between 4.1 and 3.8 l/100 km (61.8 to 57.3 mpg UK).

If equipped with the 6-speed manual gearbox, the 220d Coupe sprints from 0 to 100 km/h (0-62 mph) 0.1 seconds slower (7.1 seconds) and averages between 4.4 to 4.1 l/100 km (57.3 to 53.5 mpg).

Features revised styling inside and out

BMW has released some new pictures of the 2-Series Convertible equipped with the M Sport package.

Like the 2-Series M Sport Coupe, the Convertible features an aerodynamic body kit that includes a new front bumper, revised side skirts and a rear diffuser. The model has also a revised grille, a sport-tuned suspension (which reduces the ride height by 10mm), high-gloss chrome exhaust tips and 17-inch lightweight alloy wheels.

The interior isn't left out as the package adds sport seats, Aluminum Hexagon trim and Estoril Blue accents. The car also features a leather-wrapped sport steering wheel, revised instrumentation and an M driver’s footrest. Other niceties include ambient lighting and M-branded door sill plates.

Goes on sale late February 2015

BMW has introduced today in Paris the first ever 2-Series Cabriolet which will go on sale towards the end of February next year.

The smallest open-top BMW has arrived in Paris with a multi-layer fabric roof that needs 20 seconds to open or close at speeds of up to 50 km/h (30 mph) and can be ordered with a black, brown with silver effect or an anthracite with silver effect finish. Compared to the defunct 1-Series Convertible, the new model benefits from extra insulation which has slashed interior noise by 5 dB in the front and 7 dB at the back.

Other than that, this is essentially a 2-Series Coupe with an identical engine lineup including a four-cylinder 2.0-liter offered with 184 HP and 245 HP along with a 2.0-liter turbodiesel rated at 190 HP. Sitting on top of the range is the M235i Convertible packing a larger six-cylinder 3.0-liter generating 326 HP and 450 Nm which propels the compact Bavarian cabrio to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 5.2 seconds or in just 5 seconds when equipped with the optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.

Larger than the model it replaces, the 2015 BMW 2-Series Convertible has a 9 percent bigger trunk with the roof in position and 7 percent larger when it's folded. The trunk's opening area is now 1.4 inches bigger and according to BMW you can now squeeze in a couple of snowboards or two 46-inch golf bags.

In terms of pricing, the US-spec version begins at $38,850 for the 228i and from £29,180 in UK for the 220i. Customers will start receiving their cars by late February 2015 and select versions can be had with an optional xDrive all-wheel drive system.

BMW dealers across the world should take some notes from the firm's Abu Dhabi Motors partner with its constantly updated army of special cars featuring all sorts of Individual, M Performance and even third party tuner goods.

Among the latest models to adorn the dealer's showroom floors is an M235i Coupe with a full assortment of M Performance aerodynamic and styling parts, some of which have contrasting red accents. It actually looks better than what it sounds.

If you ever pondered how the new X4 crossover looks like with a set of CSL-style spoke alloy wheels, the BMW dealer has you covered with an M Sport package model fitted with Vorsteiner rims along with a few more extras like the fixed carbon fiber wing.

An M4 Convertible, a 435i M Performance Convertible and a previous-gen X6 xDrive50i M Sport that's probably too brown for its own good complete our gallery found below.

Four new trim levels also added

BMW has introduced a series of improvements for the 2-Series Coupe model.

First, the company has added a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder petrol unit to the vehicle's engine lineup. Dubbed the 218i, the model has the same engine as the 2-Series Active Tourer, which means it has 136 HP (100 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque. When equipped with this power plant, the coupe averages at 5.1 – 5.6 l/100 km or (55 – 50 mpg UK), while the 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint should take no more than 8.8 seconds for the manual and 8.9 for the eight-speed automatic. The top speed is rated at 212 km/h (132 mph).

Besides the new engine, the Bavarian company has revealed the 220d Coupe modification will be available with the xDrive all-wheel-drive system. Until now it was offered only for the range-topping 235i version.

Last but not least, BMW has introduced four new trim levels. The Advantage model features, in addition to the basic equipment, multifunction buttons on the steering wheel, cruise control with braking function, Park Distance Control with sensors at the rear, a storage package and fog lamps. The Sport Line and the Luxury Line levels add new 17-inch light alloy wheels, a light package and ambient light with variable color change function, as well as exclusively designed door sills, seat upholstery, interior trims and car key. The M Sport variants offer 10 mm lower suspension, unique 17-inch rims and an M aerodynamics package with larger air intakes at the front, bespoke side sills and a diffuser at the back.

Deliveries will likely begin early 2016

A screenshot from a computer at a BMW dealer in United States reveals the date when M2 Coupe production will kick off.

We've known for quite some time that BMW will start M2 Coupe production in November for the European market and now it seems the US-spec version will be available sooner than expected. Based on the attached internal build sheet, it will hit the assembly line in the same month as its European sibling, even though previous reports were indicating the North American version would enter production phase in March 2016.

The BMW M2 Coupe will likely receive its world premiere in September at the Frankfurt Motor Show but an online reveal is probably scheduled for August. It will come with an uprated 3.0-liter six-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine developing somewhere in the region of 380 HP (279 kW), thus making it substantially more powerful than the current range-topper, the 326 HP M235i Coupe.

Could be the 218i with 1.5 engine

A mysterious BMW 2-Series Coupe test prototype has been caught on camera near California.

Earlier this month we showed you a spy photo of another 2-Series Coupe test mule, which appeared to be the range-topping M2. Now we have a standard example of the model, so probably the producer is still testing the new 1.5-liter 3-cylinder unit, introduced for the car back in December.

The 218i modification for the Coupe has 136 HP (100 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque under the hood. That’s enough for a 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) sprint in 8.8 seconds with manual transmission and 8.9 seconds with the eight-speed automatic. The top speed is rated at 212 km/h (132 mph), while the average fuel consumption stands at 5.1 – 5.6 l/100 km or (55 – 50 mpg UK).