BMW branched out into a brand new phase when it launched the two Collection Gran Coupe for the 2020 mannequin 12 months. It expanded slightly extra downmarket by launching a less expensive front-wheel-drive variant of the sedan for 2021.
Known as merely 228i, the brand new entry level into the BMW sedan vary is basically a two-wheel-drive variant of the all-wheel-drive xDrive mannequin (pictured), in accordance with web site CarsDirect. Energy comes from a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine turbocharged to 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque, and the one transmission provided is an eight-speed automated. Sending energy to the entrance wheels solely saves weight, and knowledge revealed by the Environmental Safety Company (EPA) pegs the 228i’s gasoline economic system at 28 mpg mixed, in comparison with 27 mpg for the xDrive. As a tradeoff, it is three-tenths of a second slower (6.3 seconds) than the xDrive to 60 mph.
Leaving the rear axle within the elements bin reduces the two Collection Gran Coupe’s worth by $2,000, so pricing begins at $36,695 together with a $995 vacation spot cost. It is a determine that enables the 228i to neatly fill the hole between the entry-level variants of the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan ($34,700) and the CLA ($38,900). Each are front-wheel-drive, too, and executives do not suppose consumers will thoughts as a result of they’re primarily looking for type and house.
Whereas the mere considered a front-wheel-drive BMW is sufficient to shake some fanatics to their core, the 228i is not the primary of its sort, and it definitely will not be the final. The present-generation X1 presents front-wheel drive in its most simple configuration. Throughout the pond, the 1 Collection ditched rear-wheel drive when it entered its third era, and BMW took benefit of the change to construct a sizzling hatch aimed on the Volkswagen Golf GTI. All three are constructed on the identical primary UKL2 platform, which additionally underpins a number of members of the Mini vary.
