The BMW 2-Series Convertible is the most affordable drop top from the German automaker as pricing starts at $40,750. However, it appears the model could be dropped from the lineup.
While nothing is official, Bimmertoday is reporting the next-generation convertible has apparently been canceled. The report should be take with a grain of salt but speculation suggests its role will be filled by the 4-Series Convertible and the upcoming Z4.
If the report is correct, getting into a BMW convertible could become significantly more expensive. The entry-level 430i Convertible starts at $52,950 while the previous Z4 started at $49,700.
Despite the convertible’s rumored demise, the 2-Series Coupe will reportedly live on and continue to be rear-wheel drive. This will make the coupe a bit of an oddball in the 2-Series lineup as the 2-Series Gran Coupe and 2-Series Active Tourer / Gran Tourer will be front-wheel drive.
The report also claims the future of M240i and M2 has also been secured thanks to the decision to stick with a rear-wheel drive layout. Little else is known about the next-generation 2-Series Coupe but it’s still probably a ways off as BMW introduced a minor facelift for the model last summer and unveiled the M2 Competition in April.
There’s been conflicting reports on when the new model will arrive with some publications claiming the next 2-Series could be launched in 2020. However, others suggest a redesign isn’t due until 2022.
Regardless of when the car is unveiled, it will have some pretty big shoes to fill as current coupe and its performance variants are popular with enthusiasts. Despite this, sales are relatively small as the company only sold 11,737 2-Series coupes and convertibles in the United States last year.