As BMW moves forward with the questionable reshuffling of its product line, new spy shots are beginning to emerge. Take this 2015 2 Series Convertible for instance, which has been spied by our friends at Motor Authority. Although this camouflaged cabriolet will be called the 2 Series, it is really just the next version of what we in the US know as the 1 Series.
BMW recently announced that the current US 1 Series would be known as the 2 Series and that the current 3 Series coupe version would be the 4 Series and so on. While this might seem strange to, well, anyone, BMW’s reasoning is that it wants to align sedans, wagons, and gran coupes with even numbers. Accordingly, coupes and convertibles will remain under the odd number series placard.
Last year in Europe, BMW released a new generation 1 Series with hatchback, three- and five-door, and even an all-wheel drive version. As nearly every automaker sizes down and diversifies its U.S. product offerings, we wouldn’t be surprised if some of those new 1 Series make their way stateside within the next few years.
Though we can only speculate we anticipate engine options to include a turbocharged four-cylinder and a six-cylinder. Transmissions choices will most likely include a six-speed manual and an eight-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive will be the standard setup but by then we might see that all-wheel drive system ready for the US market.
It’s hard to tell from underneath those swirl marks, but the new 2 Series tester looks a bit sleeker with more rakish lines than the current 1 Series. Unlike some of its competitors, BMW has clearly stuck with the soft-top over a metal folding roof, saving weight and cost.
As soon as we have better images and more details, we’ll be sure to bring them to you. For now, however, we can only fathom how brilliantly the new 2 Series will drive and how staggering the sticker price will be.
