Tag: youtube

A prototype for BMW’s next-generation 2-Series coupe has been spotted.

The car is expected in showrooms late next year as a 2022 model, and the advanced stage of these prototypes suggests a debut in the next 6-12 months is likely. The current 2-Series coupe arrived as a 2014 model and underwent a mid-cycle update for 2018.

[embedded content]

The good news is that the redesigned coupe won’t go the front-wheel-drive route of other 2-Series members like the 2-Series Gran Coupe and 2-Series Active Tourer. Instead, the sporty two-door will stick with rear-wheel drive (and likely available all-wheel drive).

The platform is a version of BMW’s flexible CLAR design which supports plug-in hybrid and battery-electric powertrains. It’s possible the 2-Series is using the same version of the CLAR platform that underpins the BMW Z4 and Toyota Supra twins.

2022 BMW 2-Series spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

The proportions of the new 2-Series coupe are very muscular. The car is still heavily camouflaged though, so we can’t tell whether the new 4-Series’ oversized grille with vertical kidneys will also make it onto the 2-Series.

What we can say is that the car looks low and wide, and its long nose virtually confirms that inline-6 powertrains will be offered. One of the inline-6 powertrains will feature in the next-generation M2. The engine is likely to be a detuned version of the 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged inline-6 found in the X3 M and X4 M and destined for the next M3 and M4. Expect output to hover around 420 horsepower in the next M2. That’s up considerably on the 365 hp of the current M2 and should give the new car the edge over the 416-hp 45-series from Mercedes-Benz AMG. Hopefully the current M2’s manual transmission option will also stick around.

2022 BMW 2-Series spy shots – Photo credit: S. Baldauf/SB-Medien

Some of the shots provide glimpses of the interior. An infotainment screen, likely with touch capability, can be seen above the air vents in the center console. A multi-function steering wheel can also be spotted.

Production of the new 2-Series coupe is expected to take place at BMW’s plant in Lerma, Mexico. The plant currently handles production of some 3-Series models, and some 2-Series prototypes have been spotted in the surrounding area. The jury is still out on a convertible being developed. There’s a good chance we won’t see one due to low demand.

Source

Mercedes-Benz is out testing a new member of its EQ family of battery-electric vehicles.

It’s a crossover SUV to be called the EQS SUV, and it’s due on sale in 2022 likely as a 2023 model.

As the name suggests, the EQS SUV will be a high-riding counterpart to the EQS sedan due in 2021 as a 2022 model. Both EQS models will form part of an expanded S-Class family. Smaller EQE and EQE SUV models are also coming. The EQE, a sedan, is also out testing.

[embedded content]

These future EVs will be based on Mercedes’ first dedicated EV platform, known as EVA (Electric Vehicle Architecture). It’s the familiar skateboard design and in some models will potentially support a driving range higher than 400 miles.

Previous Mercedes EVs such as the current EQC are all based on platforms originally developed for internal-combustion models, hence many of the packaging benefits of EVs couldn’t be fully realized. This won’t be the case for EVA-based models. For instance, the EQS and EQS SUV will rival mid-size models in exterior dimensions but should offer the interior space of full-size models.

For future compact and small vehicles, Mercedes will develop a second dedicated EV platform, dubbed MMA. The first MMA-based vehicles will arrive around 2025.

2022 Mercedes-Benz EQS prototype and Vision EQS concept

Styling for the EQS and this EQS SUV was previewed in 2019 with the Vision EQS concept car. The look is characterized by slim headlights whose lines flow into a sealed-off grille. In the case of the EQS SUV, the design appears closer in style and proportion to a minivan than an SUV, similar to the Tesla Model X against which it will compete. Other potential rivals include the upcoming BMW iNext and Cadillac Lyriq.

In the United States, Mercedes was meant to kick off its EV transformation this year with the arrival of the EQC. The automaker has since confirmed that the EQS will be used to spearhead its EV plans in this market. It’s part of a new top-down approach announced by Ola Kaellenius, CEO of Mercedes parent company Daimler, in October.

The EQS and this EQS SUV, along with the EQE and EQE SUV, are part of Mercedes’ plan to have 10 EVs in its lineup by the end of 2022. Others include EQA and EQB compact SUVs, and electric commercials like the eVito and eSprinter vans. An electric G-Class is also in the works. Some of these upcoming EVs will also have Mercedes-AMG and Maybach variants.

Source