BMW 2 Series Coupe: first look at new two-door hardtop

The BMW 2 Series coupe has been spied in Germany, giving us our first look at the hardtop version of the brand’s all-new two-door model line.

The images come just two weeks after CarAdvice’s spy photographers uncovered the coupe’s sibling, the new 2 Series convertible.

The new BMW 2 Series models will take the place of the 1 Series coupe and convertible when they launch internationally in the second half of 2013 and arrive in Australia in 2014.

Unlike the BMW 1 Series hatch on which it’s based, the 2 Series coupe features slimmer headlights, larger front air intakes, and a more prominent, forward-leaning kidney grille, creating a sleeker, sportier appearance.

The clean side panels lead to a rear end that sports a long overhang and high-mounted tail-lights with signature deep red lenses and L-shaped LED lamps.

The 2 Series coupe and convertible will inherit their powertrains from the 1 Series hatch line-up, with a 235kW M235i coupe â€" based on the recently launched M135i hot-hatch â€" a near certainty, and an even higher-performance M2 coupe a possibility to take the place of the now-discontinued 1 Series M coupe further down the track.

The current BMW 1 Series coupe and convertible will be around seven years old by the time the new 2 Series models are introduced.

BMW sold 1307 two-door 1 Series models in Australia to the end of November, representing a 13 per cent drop from 2011, putting the compact duo on track for its worst annual sales performance since launching locally in 2008.