BMW News

    Next year will bring a series of tweaks in BMW's lineup. Most of the shuffling will happen within the naming system: The 3 Series coupe and convertible will be sold as the 4 Series, and the 1 Series coupe and convertible will become the 2 Series.

    Don't you miss the days when cars had cool names? Until now, we only had spy shots of the next 4 Series, but Top Speed's spy photographers have just caught the 2 Series convertible testing on public roads for the first time, camouflaged (if you can call it that) in 1960s bathroom wallpaper. The 2 Series convertible will be based on the 1 Series hatch, from which it will borrow its technology and engine lineup. BMW has promised to make the 2 Series a little sportier.

    Under the hood, there will be four-cylinder engines. The engine lineup will consist of a 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 150, 177 or 218 horsepower, and a 2.0-liter turbocharged diesel engine with 214 horsepower and stump-pulling torque, which sounds even better. All of the engines will mate to either a six-speed manual transmission or an optional eight-speed automatic transmission. BMW’s  xDrive system will be available as an option on the 2-Series, as well. The upcoming 2-Series Convertible is set to be unveiled in late 2013.––Paul Duchene