BMW’s G42 2 Collection Coupe has carved out a loyal following, particularly in M240i xDrive kind. It’s not as hardcore because the G87 M2, but it surely nails that candy spot—highly effective, balanced, and simply sensible sufficient to be a year-round each day driver. However for a way for much longer? In line 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 a substitute, BMW is engaged on a totally electrical i2, which is predicted 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 may arrive as an i2 Gran Coupe (four-door), geared toward a broader world viewers. If that’s true, it might mark a significant departure from the compact rear-wheel-drive sports activities coupe formulation that has made the two Collection such successful since its inception in 2014. There’s a caveat although: plans may certainly change, even when that can imply a large hole between product lifecycles. We’ll clarify under why that’s nonetheless a risk.
To grasp automotive product planning, particularly at BMW, we have now 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—could be able to transition to electrical energy. Quick ahead to right this moment, and issues look very completely different. The EV market has slowed, authorities laws are shifting, and clients haven’t deserted inside 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 may very well 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} risk? BMW’s product technique is sort of versatile, because of 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 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 subsequent decade, it means they haven’t absolutely deserted combustion-powered efficiency vehicles 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 vehicles stays robust.
When you love compact, fun-to-drive sports activities vehicles, the subsequent few years is likely to be your finest 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 received’t be disenchanted with both variant.
