The all-New BMW 2-Series Convertible, to continue the sales from the 1-Series Convertible

The BMW 2 Series Convertible is the third model in the company‘s 2 Series line-up and comes to market as a direct replacement for the 1 Series Convertible – a vehicle that was the most successful car in its class with global sales of more than 130,000 units.

The new car will initially be available with a choice of four engines, including a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance variant, the M235i. Fuel economy improvements over the previous model average 18 per cent. The 2 Series Convertible also brings significant improvements in passenger space and access, acoustic comfort, style, dynamism and equipment, while the ConnectedDrive services for the first time include wireless updating of navigation data.

Model	Power hp	Torque Nm	0 – 62mph seconds	Top Speed mph	Combined mpg	CO2 Emissions g/km	Price OTR
BMW 220i Sport Convertible	184	270	7.5 (7.6)	144 (140)	41.5 (44.1)	159 (149)	£29,180
BMW 228i M Sport Convertible	245	350	6.1 (6.0)	155* (155*)	41.5 (42.8)	159 (154)	£31,550
BMW M235i Convertible	326	450	5.2 (5.0)	155* (155*)	33.2 (35.8)	199 (184)	£37,710
BMW 220d Sport Convertible	190	400	7.5 (7.4)	140 (140)	60.1 (64.2)	124 (116)	£29,965
* Electronically limited. Figures in brackets denote models with an automatic transmission.

More open-top driving pleasure with an added dash of style

The BMW 2 Series Convertible is longer (by 72mm) and wider (by 26mm) than the model it replaces, and has a wheelbase which has been elongated by 30mm. These increases have been put to good use to enhance passenger access and space, increase driving enjoyment with the roof down and change the proportions so that BMW’s latest compact convertible looks even more stylish.  

The electrically operated folding soft top lowers or raises in just 20 seconds at the touch of a button, and can be carried out at speeds of just over 30mph. Additional insulation in the skin of the soft-top improves acoustic comfort, with a 4db noise reduction, and adds to the year-round usability of the car. Improved aerodynamics, with a Cd of just 0.31, also helps to make the cabin quieter. An easier-to-use optional wind deflector provides greater protection against turbulence when travelling top-down.

Once folded, the soft top disappears fully into the boot to give the BMW 2 Series Convertible a premium ‘boat deck’ appearance. Luggage capacity increases by 30 litres to 335 litres, making it the largest boot in its class. A through-loading system is optionally available to increase versatility.  

The four-seat interior, with folding rear bench, provides greater space and a more intense open-top driving experience, placing the occupants in a typical BMW set-back position. Rear access benefits from an 11mm wider aperture when the front seats are tilted forwards. Large door pockets, a spacious glovebox, a central storage compartment and two cup holders provide improved in-cabin storage. 

The stretched silhouette of the BMW 2 Series Convertible emphasises the tell-tale BMW design characteristics of a long bonnet and wheelbase, short overhangs and a rear-biased cabin. The double kidney grille leans slightly forwards between twin-round circular headlights that narrow towards the centre, replicating the outlines of the lower air intakes. An LED accent light cuts across the top of the lighting unit on the optional Xenon headlights, while Adaptive Headlights featuring Selective Beam technology are also available. Air Curtains in the front apron channel air to outlets in the front side panels, reducing turbulence in the wheel arches to enhance fuel efficiency.

The track widths of the BMW 2 Series Convertible are larger than those of its predecessor, by 41mm at the front and 43mm at the rear, so that the widest part of the car is the rear wheel arch area. This emphasises the greater dynamism of the new model and its unique-in-class rear-drive layout. Horizontal lines at the rear also hint at the car’s wider stance. The rear lights extend into the side panels and feature familiar BMW L-shaped LED light bars. At the sides, a slightly rising shoulder line, swage lines running through the door handles and character lines from the doors and side skirts to the rear panels all point to the car’s sporty, rear-wheel-drive layout.  

The interior has been deliberately kept as simple as possible, with layered surfaces, driver-focused controls, clear instruments and a Sport or M Sport leather-covered multi-function steering wheel. Controls for the audio and climate control systems are set against High-gloss Black surfaces and the air vents have chrome surrounds. Switchable ambient lighting is further confirmation of the car’s premium quality. The BMW iDrive controller, linked to a 6.5-inch display screen, gives access to the car’s control systems with minimum distraction.

A more rigid body and advanced new safety features for greater protection

The BMW 2 Series Convertible delivers enhanced safety for occupants and pedestrians compared with the previous model through a combination of a more rigid body and advanced safety features. Torsional stiffness has been raised by 20 per cent and bending stiffness is 10 per cent higher, despite a decrease in body weight, thanks to extensive use of high- and ultra-high-strength steels.

The A-pillars with strengthening elements and joints made from hot-formed steel combine with the aluminium bars hidden behind the rear seats to form a survival space for occupants in the event of a roll-over accident. The roll-over bars are triggered automatically in fractions of a second if the car’s electronic sensors detect any risk. Strong supporting structures, precisely defined load paths, large deformation zones and intelligent restraint systems ensure that the BMW 2 Series Convertible meets or surpasses safety requirements around the world. Meanwhile, an active bonnet which rises at the rear and contains special deformation areas provides optimum pedestrian protection.

The car’s restraint systems include front airbags, side airbags with head airbags integrated into the seat backrests, seatbelt pre-tensioners and force limiters in the front seats and ISOFIX child-seat attachment points in the rear. Also standard is a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system which registers any loss of pressure and activates a signal in the instrument cluster to warn the driver.

Greater performance and dynamism with improved efficiency

Four BMW TwinPower Turbo engines featuring a suite of EfficientDynamics technologies endow the BMW 2 Series Convertible with superior performance to its predecessor, with an average 18 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions. The engines include a new 2.0-litre diesel for the 220d and, for the first time in a BMW convertible, an M Performance power unit for the M235i. There are also two 2.0-litre petrol engines available, the 220i and 228i. All are more powerful than the engines in the previous model and meet EU6 emissions standards.

The new 2.0-litre diesel engine develops 14hp and 50Nm of torque more than the previous unit, with greater efficiency. The combined fuel economy is 60.1mpg with the six-speed manual transmission or 64.2mpg with the eight-speed automatic gearbox which is optional on every model, while the respective CO2 emissions are 124g/km and 116g/km. It features an aluminium crankcase with thermally joined liners to reduce internal friction, and balancer shafts to eliminate vibrations. An enhanced turbocharger and an improved common-rail direct-injection system operating at up to 2,000 bar raise efficiency, and the engine is also lighter and quieter than its predecessor. 

The M Performance 3.0-litre six-cylinder engine in the M235i develops 326hp and 450Nm of torque from only 1,300rpm with the aid of twin-scroll turbocharging, high-precision centrally positioned multi-hole direct injectors, VALVETRONIC variable valve timing and Double-VANOS variable camshaft timing. The result is an infectious cocktail of high-revving ability, responsive power, instantaneous torque and sports car performance with the utmost efficiency. Acceleration from zero to 62mph is achieved in 5.2 seconds with the manual gearbox and 5.0 seconds with the automatic, yet combined fuel economy is 33.2mpg in the manual and 35.8mpg in the automatic, while CO2 emissions are 199g/km and 184g/km respectively.

This efficiency is due in no small part to the extensive EfficientDynamics features on every model. These include lightweight body engineering, sleek aerodynamics with Air Curtains at the front, Auto Start-Stop, Brake Energy Regeneration and an ECO PRO mode within the standard Driving Experience Control system. This can reduce fuel consumption by up to 20 per cent by modifying accelerator and engine management responses, putting the climate control system into its most efficient setting and even giving the driver tips on how to drive economically through the Proactive Driving Assistant with the BMW Professional navigation system. 

The longer wheelbase, increased track widths and stiffer body of the BMW 2 Series Convertible, allied to the latest driver assistance systems, ensure that the driving experience has been raised to even greater levels. The car has the typical sporty agility of a rear-drive BMW with an ideal front-to-rear weight distribution, combined with exceptional comfort. The double-joint tie-bar front suspension with spring struts and five-link rear axle have been precision-tuned for the BMW 2 Series Convertible.

The standard electronic assistance systems include Dynamic Stability Control; incorporating Anti-lock Braking, Dynamic Traction Control, Cornering Brake Control and Dynamic Brake Control. These are supported by Brake Assist, Fading Compensation, Brake Drying, the Start-Off Assistant and the Active Differential Brake. The car can also be specified with either M Sport or Adaptive M Sport suspension and M Sport braking system.

The M Sport suspension and braking system, with model-specific tuning, are standard on the 228i and M235i, which also has custom-tuned Variable Sport steering. The suspension set-up and damping of the range-topping model takes into account, not only its exceptional performance, but also the characteristics introduced by its soft roof. Options include a BMW M Performance limited-slip differential.

ConnectedDrive now with free wireless navigation updates 

The BMW 2 Series Convertible can be fully connected with the outside world through a wide range of standard-fit and optional ConnectedDrive features. They include, for the first time on any BMW, a new Professional navigation system which updates navigation data free and wirelessly through the built-in SIM card. This is capable of supporting the LTE (Long Term Evolution) wireless standard, which is up to five times faster than 3G. 

Every BMW 2 Series Convertible comes with Bluetooth hands-free telephone connectivity with audio streaming and a USB interface, a DAB tuner, BMW Emergency Call and BMW TeleServices as standard. These can be supplemented with BMW Navigation or Professional multimedia system, Internet connectivity, BMW Online Services, Online Entertainment, Real Time Traffic Information, enhanced Bluetooth with Voice Control, Remote Services and Information Plus. 

Customers can also specify the Driving Assistant with camera-based Lane Change and Lane Departure warning systems. It also features Attention Assistant to alert a potentially drowsy driver. Collision Warning primes the brakes and alerts the driver if the 2 Series Convertible gets too close to the car in front. Rear Park Distance Control is standard, and can be supported with Park Distance Control at the front as part of the Driver Comfort package. A Reversing Assist camera is also offered.

The BMW 2 Series Convertible in the UK

The 220d and 220i models are available in Sport, Luxury and M Sport trim while the 228i is offered in M Sport only and the M235i has its own unique specification. SE models will become available at a later date. 

Standard specification on all models is comprehensive and includes alloy wheels, automatic air conditioning, Drive Performance Control, Keyless go, a Sport instrument cluster, dual dark chrome exhaust tailpipes for 220i and 220d Sport models, Sports seats and a Sport multi-function leather steering wheel. 

The 220i and 220d Luxury models are distinguished by larger alloy wheels; Chrome finishers on the vertical slats of the front air inlet, front grille, dual chrome exhaust tailpipes and rear bumper; Fineline Wood with Oxide Silver accents and Dakota leather upholstery.

M Sport versions have High-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, Aluminium Hexagon trim with Estoril Blue accents, extra-wide High-gloss Black kidney grille slats, a Sport instrument cluster, dual chrome exhaust tailpipes, M Sport suspension, an M Sport multi-function leather steering wheel, M aerodynamic body styling and M door sill finishers. There is also an M Sport Plus package of Ferric Grey 18-inch alloy wheels, headlight wash, harman/kardon loudspeaker system, M Sport brakes, Xenon headlamps and a grey windscreen shade band. 

Last but not least, the unique specification of the M235i includes 18-inch double-spoke alloy wheels, Ferric Grey air blades and mirror caps, dual-zone air conditioning, Dakota leather upholstery, Extended Lighting and Storage, M Sport suspension and braking, an M rear spoiler and unique M logos on the wings.

Sales history

Model	2009	2010	2011	2012	2013	2014
BMW 1 Series Convertible	3,637	4,050	3,404	3,404	2,798	1

The BMW 2 Series Convertible is on sale from 28 February, 2015. It will be priced from £29,180 OTR for a 220i Sport Convertible.   

The new Electric Soul from Kia, a bot expensive, but well equiped.

• Kia’s first battery-electric vehicle to be sold globally
• Class-leading range of up to 132 miles   
• Class-leading energy density of 200 Wh/kg
• Kia innovations extend the distance the car can travel on a charge
• Fun styling and practical interior – just like any other Soul
• Seven-year, 100,000-mile warranty
• Priced at £24,995 after £5,000 government grant

With the arrival today of the Soul EV, Kia becomes one of only a handful of auto manufacturers offering a battery-electric car for sale in the UK. There is just one highly equipped model, priced at £24,995 after the government’s £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant.

The Soul EV is the result of almost 30 years of research and development by Kia into the feasibility of electric cars. Now, with battery technology having reached a mature stage and emissions-based taxation providing an incentive for consumers to ‘go electric’, the time is right for the Soul EV.

All those years of research have endowed the Soul EV with a range of up to 132 miles (212 kilometres) on a single charge. Kia and SK Innovation, a division of Korea’s largest petro-chemicals company, have developed innovative lithium-ion polymer batteries with a greater energy density – 200 Watt-hours per kilogram of weight – than those in any comparable model. A heating and cooling system keeps them at an optimum operating temperature, which helps to extend the Soul EV’s range.        

Further contributions to the class-leading range include the nickel-rich material used for the cathodes (the terminals from which the electric current leaves the batteries); regenerative braking, which tops up the batteries when coasting or slowing down; a unique air conditioning system which can be set to heat or cool only one side of the car when the driver is travelling alone; additional aerodynamic features beneath the car compared with the combustion-engined version; and super-low-rolling-resistance tyres, which can reduce energy consumption by as much as ten per cent over regular low-rolling-resistance tyres.     

Batteries mounted beneath the car

The Soul EV’s batteries have an energy storage capacity of 27 kilowatt-hours – more than its competitors. They are mounted beneath the car in a special casing which protects them from stone or gravel damage and spray thrown up by the wheels. The ducts to heat and cool them are located beneath the rear passenger seats.

The remainder of the electric drive components are mounted beneath the bonnet, where the internal combustion engine would normally be located. Because an electric motor requires less cooling than a petrol or diesel engine, the front of the Soul EV has been blanked off where the radiator grille would normally be found. This brings aerodynamic benefits.  

The charging ports are hidden behind a panel in this blanked-off section. Owners have the option of recharging the batteries from a standard domestic socket, via the Kia-branded wallbox supplied as standard with the Soul EV or at a public fast charger, or through a public rapid charger. Using a UK 230-volt domestic power supply, the Soul EV can be fully recharged in 10 to 13 hours. With the wallbox or at a public fast-charge point, the time is reduced to around five hours. The Soul EV is supplied with a customised red adapter cable stored in a smart Kia-branded pouch for this form of charging. Alternatively, through a public rapid charger the batteries can be topped up to 80 per cent of capacity – the maximum permissible with this type of system – in 33 minutes.

Fun to drive

The Soul EV has a fun-to-drive character. Its electric motor develops 81.4 kilowatts – the equivalent of 109bhp in a combustion-engined model – with 285 Nm of torque available immediately upon drive-away. This makes the Soul EV particularly brisk in the kind of stop-start urban driving where it is designed to operate. It is also extremely smooth and silent – so quiet that it is fitted with a Virtual Engine Sound system at low speeds in both forward and reverse gears to alert pedestrians and cyclists that it is in the vicinity. 

The Soul EV has a top speed of 90mph and can accelerate from 0-60mph in 10.8 seconds, so it is perfectly capable of keeping pace with the flow of urban traffic. Of greater relevance, it accelerates on the move, cruises and tackles gradients with minimal power usage, which all contribute towards its long range. It can climb slopes of up to one-in-three.

The underfloor location of the batteries and the reduced weight beneath the bonnet compared with a combustion-engined Soul have lowered the centre of gravity and shifted the weight bias further to the rear, endowing the EV with a distinctive fun-to-drive character. The Soul EV has bespoke suspension tuning to take into account its 274.5kg battery system. Kia’s Motor Driven Power Steering system with Flex Steer, the variable-assistance function which allows drivers to adjust the degree of assistance according to preference and where the car is being driven, is standard.

Whenever the driver coasts or brakes, kinetic energy (energy caused by motion), which is normally wasted, is captured and channeled into the batteries through the regenerative braking system. The Soul EV’s range is therefore constantly being topped up on the move, particularly in urban traffic where stops and restarts are frequent.    

To help the driver maximise the car’s range, the Soul EV has two different performance levels – DRIVE and BRAKE – both of which can additionally be operated in ECO mode as a further means of extending the car’s range. The driver is therefore able to vary the recharging effect of the regenerative braking system and the performance of the car according to the requirements at any particular time. A 3.5-inch OLED (Organic Light Emitting Diode) information cluster monitors the driver’s energy efficiency and displays the energy flow, battery level, charging time and the selected settings for the air conditioning system.

The Soul EV has an intelligent heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system which includes a Heat Pump to recycle air that has already been heated or cooled within the cabin. The HVAC system permits only enough fresh air to be added to maintain the driver’s desired temperature and humidity. The air conditioning system can be programmed to pre-heat or pre-cool the cabin while the car is still plugged into a charger to minimise drain on the battery once the driver sets off.           

A spacious, stylish interior with a unique twist

Kia’s goals with the Soul EV were not only that it should have a class-leading range, but that it should remain as close to the combustion-engined versions as possible. This allows it to be built on the same production line at the Gwangju plant in Korea, minimising manufacturing complexity and cost, which in turn makes it more affordable.

Outwardly, the only obvious differences between the Soul EV and the models powered by internal combustion engines are the front end devoid of a radiator grille, the absence of a fuel filler flap and the unique rear light clusters. Fresh, funky, original and bold, the Soul EV – like its combustion-engined counterparts – has its roots in the Track’ster concept from the 2012 Chicago Auto Show.

The Soul EV has the same proportions and dimensions as the combustion-engined versions, with an upright stance, square shoulders and distinctive bumper flares. The structural changes that have been made to accommodate the battery pack are hidden out of view, beneath the floor.

It was a major challenge for Kia’s designers and engineers to reshape the floor without affecting passenger space and versatility. The only impact is an 80mm reduction in rear-seat legroom, for which Kia has compensated by changing the materials used for the rear-seat construction. The Soul EV, like any other Soul, is therefore a compact but spacious five-seat crossover with a large boot accessed through a wide-opening, high-lift tailgate. Luggage capacity is 281 litres – a reduction of 31 litres compared with other versions of the Soul because the luggage undertray is used to house both charging cables. With the 60:40 split rear seats lowered, luggage capacity is 891 litres. A tyre inflation kit is provided in case of a puncture.

In keeping with its environmentally friendly powertrain, the Soul EV’s cabin is trimmed in ‘green’ materials wherever possible. This has led to the car being awarded UL Environment Validation for using bio-based organic carbon content for 10 per cent of its interior trim. UL (Underwriters Laboratories) is a global independent safety science company. Bio-degradable plastic, bio-foam and bio-fabric are all used in the Soul EV’s interior.    

The Soul EV in the UK

The Soul EV is available in a choice of two colour schemes – Caribbean Blue metallic with a Clear White roof, or Titanium Silver metallic. The interior upholstery in both cases is Grey Eco cloth with blue stitching, while the fascia panel, door inserts and gear selector are finished in High-gloss White. The instrument cluster housing, door inserts, steering wheel and gearshifter are trimmed in leather.

Standard EV features include an eight-inch touch-screen with European mapping, traffic messaging channel, reversing camera and charging point locator; automatic air conditioning with the driver-only function; heated front seats; a smart key with a motor start-stop button; projection headlights with LED daytime running lamps; front foglamps; privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate; 16-inch lightweight alloy wheels with super-low-rolling-resistance tyres; two charge points and the Heat Pump system. The car is also supplied with the wallbox charger and Virtual Engine Sound.

Also included in the standard specification are cruise control with a speed limiter, an electronic parking brake, front and rear electric windows, electrically folding adjustable heated door mirrors with LED indicators, solar glass for the windscreen and front windows, automatic light control with a follow-me-home function, LED rear combination and high-mounted brake lights, a 3.5-inch OLED supervision instrument cluster with specific EV information display, a trip computer, front speaker mood lights, driver’s seat height adjustment, a heated steering wheel, front and rear parking sensors and a luggage cargo screen plus retaining net.

In-car entertainment includes a DAB RDS radio with MP3 compatibility, steering wheel-mounted controls, USB and AUX ports and Bluetooth with voice recognition and music streaming. Safety is taken care of by Anti-lock Brakes with Emergency Brake Assist, Electronic Stability Control, Vehicle Stability Management, Hill-start Assist, Emergency Stop Signalling, a Tyre Pressure Monitoring system and six airbags.

Kia expects to sell between 100 and 200 Soul EVs in the first year of sales in UK, with supply from the factory in Korea extremely limited. It is available from a network of 13 specially trained UK dealers, two of which are located within the M25. Apart from qualifying for the UK Government’s Plug-in Car Grant, it is currently exempt from UK road tax (VED), company car tax (BIK) and the London Congestion Charge. Insurance is group 19.

Warranty and Servicing

In common with all Kias, the Soul EV is covered by Kia’s seven-year/100,000-mile warranty, which includes all labour and parts except those subject to normal wear and tear. The warranty is transferable if the car is sold before the time/mileage limit expires.

It is available with Kia’s Care-3 servicing package, which covers the cost of all routine maintenance – ­including parts and labour – for three years, at a cost of just £199. Like the warranty, this can be transferred to any subsequent owner should the car be sold before the expiry date.

Essential facts

Model	Power kW	Torque Nm	0-60 sec	Max speed mph	CO2 g/km
Soul EV	81.4	285	10.8	90	0

Dimensions

Length (mm)	4,140
Width (mm, exc. mirrors)	1,800
Height (mm)	1,593
Wheelbase (mm)	2,570
Min Kerb Weight (kg)	1,565
Max Kerb Weight (kg)	1,588
Boot vol. (l, VDA)	281-891

Pricing

Soul EV                                      £24,995

(After £5,000 Government Plug-in Car Grant)