BMW’s G42 2 Collection Coupe has carved out a loyal following, particularly in M240i xDrive type. 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 every day driver. However for a way for much longer? In keeping with our sources, the G42 2 Collection and G87 M2 are each scheduled to exit manufacturing in 2029. Usually, a next-gen mannequin would already be within the pipeline. This time, although, there’s allegedly no combustion-powered successor deliberate. As an alternative, BMW is engaged on a completely electrical i2, which is predicted to debut after 2029.
And right here’s the actual kicker: the i2 might not even be a coupe. As an alternative, sources recommend it might arrive as an i2 Gran Coupe (four-door), aimed toward a broader world viewers. If that’s true, it could mark a significant departure from the compact rear-wheel-drive sports activities coupe method that has made the two Collection such a success 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 grasp automotive product planning, particularly at BMW, we now have to rewind a number of years. When the G42 launched, the EV market was booming, and automakers had been betting massive on electrification. BMW deliberate future fashions beneath the idea that sure segments—like compact coupes—can be able to transition to electrical energy. Quick ahead to in the present day, and issues look very totally different. The EV market has slowed, authorities rules are shifting, and clients haven’t deserted inside combustion as rapidly as anticipated. However by the point this shift grew to become clear, long-term product planning was already in movement.
That’s how we ended up right here: the G42 and G87 M2 might be phased out in 2029, however on the identical time, they may 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, because of its three-platform method:
- CLAR (Rear-wheel-drive-based) – Helps ICE, EVs, hybrid and hydrogen fashions.
- FAAR (Entrance-wheel-drive-based) – Used for fashions just like the 1 Collection 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 inside combustion engines to fulfill Euro 7 requirements—together with the B58 inline-six and the B48 turbo-four. If BMW is retaining these engines alive for the following decade, it means they haven’t totally deserted combustion-powered efficiency automobiles simply but. That leaves the door open for a possible future 2 Collection Coupe revival within the 2030s or the extension of the present mannequin with one other facelift, particularly if demand for small ICE sports activities automobiles stays robust.
Should you love compact, fun-to-drive sports activities automobiles, the following few years could be your greatest probability to safe one—whether or not it’s a 230i or an M240i—earlier than they may disappear from BMW’s lineup. And as many purchasers state, you gained’t be upset with both variant.
