BMW’s G42 2 Sequence Coupe has carved out a loyal following, particularly in M240i xDrive kind. It’s not as hardcore because the G87 M2, however it nails that candy spot—highly effective, balanced, and simply sensible sufficient to be a year-round day by day driver. However for the way for much longer? In line with our sources, the G42 2 Sequence and G87 M2 are each scheduled to exit manufacturing in 2029. Sometimes, a next-gen mannequin would already be within the pipeline. This time, although, there’s allegedly no combustion-powered successor deliberate. As a substitute, BMW is engaged on a totally electrical i2, which is anticipated to debut after 2029.
And right here’s the actual kicker: the i2 could not even be a coupe. As a substitute, sources counsel it might arrive as an i2 Gran Coupe (four-door), geared toward a broader world viewers. If that’s true, it will mark a serious departure from the compact rear-wheel-drive sports activities coupe formulation that has made the two Sequence such successful since its inception in 2014. There’s a caveat although: plans might certainly change, even when that may imply a large hole between product lifecycles. We’ll clarify beneath why that’s nonetheless a chance.
To know automotive product planning, particularly at BMW, we have now to rewind a couple of years. When the G42 launched, the EV market was booming, and automakers had been betting large on electrification. BMW deliberate future fashions below the idea that sure segments—like compact coupes—could be able to transition to electrical energy. Quick ahead to in the present day, and issues look very completely different. The EV market has slowed, authorities laws are shifting, and prospects haven’t deserted inner combustion as shortly as anticipated. However by the point this shift turned clear, long-term product planning was already in movement.
That’s how we ended up right here: the G42 and G87 M2 could possibly be phased out in 2029, however on the similar time, they might obtain a lifecycle extension to be offered in parallel with an i2 electrical. Why is {that a} chance? BMW’s product technique is kind of versatile, due to its three-platform strategy:
- CLAR (Rear-wheel-drive-based) – Helps ICE, EVs, hybrid and hydrogen fashions.
- FAAR (Entrance-wheel-drive-based) – Used for fashions just like the 1 Sequence and X1, and MINIs
- NCAR (Neue Klasse EV-based) – The following-gen electric-only platform for future BMWs, together with the i2.
Much more attention-grabbing, BMW is upgrading a few of its inner combustion engines to satisfy Euro 7 requirements—together with the B58 inline-six and the B48 turbo-four. If BMW is preserving these engines alive for the following decade, it means they haven’t absolutely deserted combustion-powered efficiency vehicles simply but. That leaves the door open for a possible future 2 Sequence Coupe revival within the 2030s or the extension of the present mannequin with one other facelift, particularly if demand for small ICE sports activities vehicles stays robust.
When you love compact, fun-to-drive sports activities vehicles, the following few years may be your finest likelihood to safe one—whether or not it’s a 230i or an M240i—earlier than they could disappear from BMW’s lineup. And as many shoppers state, you gained’t be dissatisfied with both variant.
