With the 2 Series coupe set to make its debut later this year (production begins in November), BMW may be sending out teaser signals with this recent video.

OK, it’s not truly being hooned, but a M235i coupe prototype is seen doing doughnut patterns in an empty lot as part of its testing. As a result, we get a great live look at all the various angles of the car - a bit like the car being on a rotating auto show display. We also get a good listen at its exhaust and engine sounds.

There is also a brief look at the F22 2 Series Coupe against the F30 3 Series Sedan, for a glance at how they compare in size/shape from the rear.

Production of the M235i coupe begins this November 2013 in the Leipzig plant, for an 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014). There will be no 235i model in … CONTINUED

F22 2 Series coupe (228i) prototype spotted in SoCal. First prototype sighting in the US.

The M235i coupe (315 HP) is already confirmed for the US (see VIN details and spy photos). Production will begin in November 2013 in the Leipzig plant, for an 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014). There will be no 235i model in the US or elsewhere, as the M235i will take its place in the lineup.

The M235i will be joined by the 228i coupe in the US. The 228i coupe will also begin production this November. The production 2 Series will be revealed in the Fall, with its public debut potentially coming at the 2013 Frankfurt auto show in September).

As the VIN thread linked above shows, Europe will see … CONTINUED

We bring you the first live look and listen at the BMW 2 Series Coupe (F22) and Convertible (F23), from cold climate testing in Sweden. Seen and heard in our video are various models, including not limited, to the M235i and 228i models. It’s likely that at least some of the cars here are AWD xDrive models testing performance in the snow.

The M235i coupe (315 HP) is already confirmed for the US (see VIN details and spy photos). Production will begin in November 2013, for an 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014). There will be no 235i model in the US or elsewhere, as the M235i will take its place in the lineup.

The M235i will be joined by the 228i coupe in … CONTINUED

BMW M CEO Friedrich Nitschke gave some insight into certain aspects of future M models when speaking recently to Autocar.

AWD vs RWD

While current non-SUV M models all remain RWD, as horsepower numbers climb for each successive generation of models, the question has arisen whether future models would benefit from AWD xDrive offerings, to help with traction and getting all that power down to the ground effectively; especially considering the AWD offerings from competitors - such as the E63/CLS63 AMG 4Matic and upcoming RS6/RS7 Quattro models.

To this, Nitschke reaffirms M’s stance on RWD: “Our philosophy in regards to steering feel and precision is that rear-wheel drive is the best solution,” … “xDrive brings an 80-90kg weight penalty and the M differential is the industry’s best rear-drive … CONTINUED

We’ve previously posted photos of the 2 Series coupe (F22) and convertible (F23) testing, but we’ve not spotted them testing together, giving us a great look at how the two models compare visually.

The F22 coupe seen here is a M235i model judging by the blue M Sport brakes and split dual black exhaust tips (also seen on the M135i upon which the M235i is based).

The M235i coupe (315 HP) is already confirmed for the US (see VIN details). Production will begin in November 2013 in the Leipzig plant, for an 8 month first-model-year production run (until June 2014). There will be no 235i model in the US or elsewhere, as the M235i will take its place in the lineup.

The M235i will be joined by the … CONTINUED

Besides our earlier spy photos, here is the first factual confirmation (via VIN search) of the US bound M235i F22 coupe, together with a preview of some (perhaps not all) of the upcoming 2 Series Coupe and Convertible model lineup.

VIN long WBA1J7C52EVX33501
Type code 1J7C
Type M235I (USA)
Dev. series F22 ()
Line 2
Body type COUPE
Steering LL
Door count 2
Engine N55
Cubical capacity 3.00
Power 235
Transmision HECK
Gearbox MECH
Colour VALENCIA ORANGE METALLIC (B44)
Upholstery LEDER DAKOTA/SCHWARZ (LCSW)
Prod. date 2012-11-20

Order options
No. Description
1CA SELECTION COP RELEVANT VEHICLES … CONTINUED

According to an Autocar source, Arnd Meyer, the head engineer responsible for chassis engineering of all recent AMG models, including the SLS AMG Black Series, has left Mercedes and joined BMW M.

The source says that Meyer will eventually head BMW M’s chassis, powertrain and electronics development, although an AMG spokesperson has suggested that a contractual agreement (presumably, a non-compete clause in his employment contract) may prevent him from doing so for some period of time.

This news comes on the heels of this recent report that BMW M may be looking into offering models that compete with AMG Black Series models, in terms of exclusivity. Could BMW M’s pickup of Meyer be related? We shall see…

A speculative render of a still speculative model - the BMW M2 Convertible. According to BMW insider Scott26:

Such a concept remains a possibility, especially with the M2 becoming a series production car. The rear lights are similiar but in the actual car they wrap around in the opposite direction as proved by a recent bodyshell spy photograph. Aerodynamics are still too dramatic.