The super enthusiast-friendly BMW 2-Series seems to be a hit, with BMW constantly adding new features like all-wheel drive and a convertible top. Now it may have just become the most fun three-cylinder car you can buy. (Okay, besides the i8.)
BMW announced today that the car will get a 218i variant powered by the 1.5-liter turbo three-cylinder found in the new base Mini Cooper. (It really should be called 215i, but whatever.)
In this form, the car will send a respectable 136 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque to the rear wheels. It's not especially quick — the 0 to 60 mph time is just under nine seconds in both six-speed manual and eight-speed automatic forms — but probably enough to have some rear-wheel drive fun when you need.
The three-cylinder engine is actually a pretty punchy little bastard in the new Cooper, and it's got a very distinct growl to it, too. Granted, the Cooper hits 60 mph nearly two seconds quicker because of the weight difference, but what are you gonna do?
No word on whether the 218i will make it to the U.S., but since even the four-cylinder 220i doesn't come here, I wouldn't count on it. Also unveiled today was the new 220d xDrive.
Yes, you can get an all-wheel drive diesel 2-Series coupe outside of America. Crazytown!