Who you callin’ entry-level? BMW 2 Series adds TwinPower three-cylinder, xDrive AWD

By Andrew Hard December 12, 2014

The BMW 2 Series may be the brand’s cheapest car, but that doesn’t mean it’s relegated to entry-level options.

Starting in 2015, the German brand has confirmed a 1.5-liter, TwinPower three-cylinder for the 2 Series range, packaged in a new model called the 218i.

The 218i’s powerplant, which incorporates a turbocharger and a supercharger into the exhaust manifold, is actually the same basic unit from the MINI Cooper and BMW i8. It’s a fair bit heavier than the MINI though, and without the i8’s electric boost, the 218i sits near the back of the lot in terms of performance.

The 136-horsepower engine allows for a 0 to 62 mph sprint of 8.8 seconds with the standard six-speed manual, and 8.9 seconds with the eight-speed Steptronic automatic. The three-cylinder is also featured in the 2 Series Active Tourer.

Those performance figures wont exactly blow the doors off, but the 218i makes up for it with impressive fuel economy. On the U.K. cycle, BMW estimates the two-door will return 50 to 55 mpg. Top speed is rated at 132 mph.

BMW makes no mention of the new 218i coming to America, but that may change. Currently, the most modest 2 Series available in the States is the 228i Coupe, which features 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with 240 hp.

BMW 2 Series — Image used with permission by copyright holder

In addition, BMW has added four new trim levels to the 2 Series lineup.

First up is the Advantage level, which adds multifunction controls on the steering wheel, adaptive cruise control, Park Distance Control, fog lamps, and a storage package.

The Sport Line and Luxury Line add 17-inch alloys to the mix, as well as a lighting package and various upgrades to the interior materials. The Luxury trim also includes chrome accents on the exterior.

The top-end M Sport level is more performance focused, with suspension that’s been lowered by 10 mm, an exterior that upgraded with aero, exclusive wheels, and larger air intakes.

Also new for the 2 Series is an xDrive all-wheel drive option on the diesel 220D.

Editors' Recommendations

BMW stripped weight and added power to make its pint-sized M2 even better

Topics

Photo Galleries

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Andrew first started writing in middle school and hasn't put the pen down since. Whether it's technology, music, sports, or…

Cars

Best electric car charger deals: $100 off home charging stations

The handle of the Grizzl-E EV charger plugged into a vehicle.

A few years ago, electric vehicles were pretty rare or cost a fortune, but with more and more of the larger car brands getting into the game, there are a lot of excellent and even budget-friendly choices nowadays. That said, the electrical network for charging your cars might not be that widespread, so instead you'll have to rely on charging your car at home. Luckily, there are a lot of excellent car chargers at a discount, so if you've just bought an EV or want to upgrade your current charging solution, be sure to check out our favorite deals below.
Shockflo EV charger — $205, was $220

This EV charger by Shockflo is a Level 2 EV charger, which offers six times faster charging than a standard charger. It delivers 24 miles with just one hour of charging, and it can act as a mobile charger you can throw in the trunk or be mounted to a wall. It has an LCD display with useful information like charging rate, voltage, and charging time, as well as LED indicator lights that lets you know charging progress and errors.

Cars

Mercedes-Benz EQG: range, price, release date, and more

Concept image of the larger electric G-Wagon

The G-Class is going electric. We already knew that Mercedes-Benz was working on an electric, small-size G-Wagon, but it looks like the company is also working on a larger G-Class SUV, in the form of the EQG. In fact, Mercedes has gone as far as to show off a concept version of the off-roader.

While there's much we don't know about what will become the production model of the EQG, Mercedes has also shared a lot about it. Curious about whether the Mercedes-Benz EQG could be the EV for you? Here's everything we know so far.
Design
Fear not -- the EQG will retain many of the design aspects of the G-Class that you already know and love but with a modern face-lift. The EQG will keep the boxy design that gives the G-Class a classic look but with some additional modern styling, at least if the concept version is anything to go by.

Cars

Rivian R2 vs. Kia EV9: battle of affordable electric SUVs

Kia EV9 GT-Line Three Quarters

The long-awaited Rivian R2 has finally been announced, and it's an excellent option for those who want an electric SUV that doesn't completely break the bank. Sure, the R2 isn't cheap -- but it's a whole lot cheaper than most other EVs out there, especially when it comes to SUVs. But Rivian isn't the only company trying to tackle the problem of the budget electric SUV. The Kia EV9 is finally available, and it too offers a modern design and a range of helpful features.

Given the fact that the Rivian R2 and Kia EV9 are two electric SUVs in a similar price range, you might be wondering which is better for your needs. That's why we put the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 head-to-head.
Design
Both the Rivian R2 and the Kia EV9 are actual SUVs -- not crossovers pretending to be SUVs, like plenty of other EVs out there. The two vehicles offer big, boxy designs and plenty of interior space, making them excellent options for families or those who need that extra storage.