Life Cycle Impulse or LCI is BMW-speak for mid-cycle refresh or facelift. That’s what’s happened here with the G42 BMW 2 Series Coupe, set for market launch in August 2024.

Five engine variants will be available from launch, with Singapore specifications yet to be confirmed.

The 218i, 220i and 230i coupes all sport two-litre inline four-cylinder turbocharged engines with 156hp and 250Nm of torque, 184hp and 300Nm of torque, and 245hp and 400Nm of torque respectively sent to the front wheels via an eight-speed automatic transmission.

These outputs see the 218i, 220i and 230i dispatch the century sprint in 8.7 seconds, 7.5 seconds, and 5.9 seconds, and on to a top speed of 224km/h, 236km/h, and 250km/h respectively.

There will also be a hot-version M240i xDrive with a three-litre turbocharged inline six-cylinder engine with a healthy 374hp and 500Nm of torque being channelled to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

0-100km/h is dusted off in just 4.3 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 250km/h.

There will also be a 220d diesel version with 190hp and 400Nm of torque, but this variant is unlikely to hit our shores.

All variants of the LCI 2 Series Coupe will come fitted with the M Sport Package as standard, which includes extra-large air intakes at the front, more prominent side skirts, a distinct rear apron with vertical reflectors and a diffuser-like insert, and M Sport suspension.

M high-gloss Shadow Line is now also part of the standard equipment. An optional M Pro Sport Package complements the dynamic exterior design with M Shadow Line lights, an M rear spoiler in sapphire black and the M high-gloss Shadow Line with extended features.

There will also be an M sport brake system with red-painted brake callipers and M seat belts, in addition to new paint colours consisting of two solid and five metallic, light alloy rims, steering wheels and seat upholstery to add a modern touch on the outside and inside.

BMW Operating System 8.5 features on the inside and brings tech in this junior coupe up to date. The system comprises a 12.3-inch Information Display and a 14.9-inch Control Display.

The standard ambient lighting also includes new waterfall lighting integrated into the covers of the central air vents, whose colour and brightness can be adjusted to suit individual preferences, with nine colour schemes to choose from.

An M leather steering wheel is standard fit, as are sports seats for the driver and front passenger. Bucket-like M sport seats will be available as an optional extra.

More details to come in due course.

Photo Credits: BMW

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The fourth generation BMW 1 Series, codenamed F70, has just seen its global unveiling. Market launch is scheduled for October 2024. Two models feature for the unveiling – the 120 in both base spec and M Sport trim and the fire-breathing M135 xDrive.

The 120 in both base spec and M Sport will feature a turbocharged 1.3-litre inline three-cylinder engine putting out 170hp and 280Nm of torque through a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox and driving the front wheels.

A 48-volt electric motor is integrated into the gearbox for braking regeneration, to assist while moving off and as a starter-generator to charge the mild hybrid battery pack. 0-100km/h is dispatched in a claimed 7.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 226km/h.

Presumably, there should be a 116 for Singapore’s market when it lands here. Details at a later date.

The M135 xDrive, on the other hand, sports all-wheel drive through its seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, which is connected to a turbocharged two-litre inline four-cylinder engine putting out 300hp and 400Nm of torque.

The 0-100km/h sprint is done and dusted in a claimed 4.9 seconds, and the top speed is 250km/h. Boy racers rejoice!

Notice how the ‘i’ nomenclature after the model number has been dropped?

That’s because ‘i’ is now solely reserved for BMW’s electric vehicle line-up. This makes sense, since ‘i’ stood for fuel ‘injection’ previously, and since all internal combustion engines have been fuel injected for at least three decades, dropping it makes sense.

Length increases by 42mm to 4,361mm but wheelbase remains at 2,670mm. Width also remains 1,800mm while height increases by 25mm to 1,459mm. This should offer a bit more headroom on the inside.

The outside now looks sharper than the outgoing F40 model. BMW’s vertical LED daytime running lights (DRLs) and turn signals feature in the LED headlight housing, which now comes as standard. Adaptive LED headlights with glare-free matrix high beam and cornering light function will be optionally available.

Naturally, the M Sport 120 gets a more sporty look, with the hottest visual vibe reserved for the M135.

On the side, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line includes a graphic number ‘1’ in the Hoffmeister kink, and comes as standard.

Two solid and seven metallic paint colours will be available as standard. One can also customise with four BMW Individual Paint options and a wide selection of BMW Individual special paint colours.

The 120 M Sport comes with side skirt accents in black and brake callipers in blue, while the M135 sports red callipers.

Two-part taillights that feature 3D effects and light pipes stand out in the rear end. The M Sport and M135 receive a diffuser element, with visible quad tailpipes for the latter.

A 10.25-inch instrument display and a 10.7-inch infotainment screen feature prominently in the interior of the 1 Series, as do backlit ambient lighting elements.

The base spec 120 comes with a standard sport steering wheel, while the M Sport sports a redesigned M leather steering wheel with shift paddles. The gear selector is also redesigned.

M135 receives the M leather steering wheel but with a red accent at 12 o’clock, and even more prominent shift paddles.

The interior of the new 1 Series is leather-free as standard, although leather can be optionally specified. Sport seats in Econeer fabric are standard, while the M Sport can be optioned with Veganza and Alcantara.

The latter is standard in the M135 with its sports bucket-type seats.

Boot space is also pretty decent. Owing to the 120’s mild hybrid battery, cargo capacity is 300 litres with the rear seatbacks up, or 1,135 litres with them folded down completely in a 40:20:40 split.

The M135 on the other hand, has 380 litres with the rear seatbacks up, and 1,200 litres with them fully down.

Naturally, these will be the launch specifications for Germany. Other markets would likely receive their own specifications including Singapore. More to come when the new 1 Series comes to town.

Photo Credits: BMW

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