And now, a word about purity. While we can’t deny that crossover SUVs are the quintessential American vehicle (they’re big, they’re roomy, and they’re comfortable), the quintessential driver’s car has always been, and will always be, a small, lightweight, rear-wheel drive coupe with a strong engine.
Enter the BMW 2 Series, the replacement for the uber-tiny 1 Series, a small and lightweight coupe that strips out all the bulk of larger vehicles and aims to appease people who like to throw vehicles into corners, shift manually, and send power to the rear wheels.
Why is this the platonic ideal?
Simplicity, in a word. Rather than adding elements, the best driver’s cars remove them. While the 2 Series doesn’t have cloth door handles as some purist’s do, and it does have air conditioning (which some purists opt to toss), it has incredibly responsive electronic steering. It has a four-cylinder engine that surpasses a six-cylinder because of the reduction in weight. And it has a manual transmission in case it’s more important to you to have fun instead of economizing fuel.
Sure, it has computers like every other modern vehicle. The genius of the 2 Series, however, is how it uses those computers to optimize the driving experience. Vehicle computers regulate everything about the engine from the running temperature, to the rev limits, to the amount of air that’s allowed through the intake. So how you program the computer to run has a big impact on how the car performs.
So if I’m into driving, this is the BMW for me?
That’s what we’re saying. If you’re looking to haul people and run errands, then you might be better served by something else in BMW’s lineup. However, if you’re a driver’s driver, and your car is primarily about your enjoyment, then the 2 Series is for you. And possibly even the M2. Check it out at Leith BMW today.