Spy pictures of a BMW 2 Series saloon could reveal a new China-only model set to go on sale later this year.
The partly disguised car adds rear passenger doors to the two-door 2 Series body, and extends the rear roofline to offer greater headroom in the back.
No technical information has been released, but Autocar understands the model is in its final stages of development and will be sold exclusively to the Chinese market in 2016, as a rival to the Audi A3 saloon.
Drivetrain options are likely to mimic those for the regular 2 Series, comprising turbocharged petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines.
The prototype’s appearance in Europe has led many to believe it will be sold here, but insiders are suggesting Europe will get its own GT-bodied car instead. This would follow the pattern of bigger GT models like the BMW 3 Series and 4 Series, which have a roofline that extends right to the back of the car and a hatchback boot.
Currently, the BMW 2 Series is available as a rear-driven coupé and convertible, while larger 2 Series Gran Tourer and Active Tourer MPVs are also produced on the front-wheel-drive BMW UKL platform.
