Understandably, the 8 Series Gran Coupe is a bit too large for many and the 4 Series Gran Coupe is getting old and doesn’t fit the bill either. Which is why the first-ever 2 Series Gran Coupe is here to give more options to the buyers.
While the design language looks similar to the larger 8 Series, the front fascia might remind you of the Z4, with the headlamps slightly angled upwards. Thankfully, there’s no unusually large kidney grille and the elements look proportionate and neat. As standard, the car gets LED headlamps, while the buyers can go for adaptive LED units.
There’s a subtle spoiler at the rear, which can be of a high-gloss black as an option (M Performance Parts). As standard, the car is fitted with 16-inch light-alloy wheels, while up to 19-inch ones are available as an option. Also in the options list is a large panoramic glass roof. Doors with frameless windows and rectangular tailpipes with 90 mm diameter are some of the other exterior design highlights. The M Performance parts include circular tailpipes with carbon fibre finishers.
While the standard suspension is claimed to offer sufficient dynamics regardless of engine variants, buyers can go for M Sport suspension that reduces the ride height by 10 mm, or Adaptive suspension including VDC (Variable Damper Control). The latter lets the driver choose from two different damper response settings. The M Sport brakes are also optional.
As for the dimensions, the 2 Series Gran Coupe measures 4,526 mm in length, 1,800 mm in width and 1,420 mm in height. Wheelbase measures 2,670 mm.
M235i
As with other latest BMW models, the driver-focused interior layout looks familiar with features including BMW Live Cockpit Professional, which comprises of a 10.25-inch instrument display and a 10.25-inch infotainment system. Standard features of the M Sport model and the M235i xDrive include the M Sport steering wheel and Trigon/Sensatec sports seats in Black or a variant with special M piping and contrast blue stitching.
As always, there’s a big list of options that includes backlit trim strips, 9.2-inch Head-Up Display, gesture control, Wireless Charging, 16-speaker Harman Kardon audio system, Active Cruise Control, and Parking Assistant with reversing assistant. The BMW Digital Key is also in the options list.
As for driver assistance and safety features, standard equipment in Europe includes collision and pedestrian warning with city braking function, which also alerts the driver of cyclists, and Lane Departure Warning system with active lane return.
220d
BMW says that the rear passengers get 33 mm of extra knee room over the 2 Series Coupe. The seating position is 12 mm higher and there is 14 mm more headroom when the optional panoramic roof is specified. The luggage capacity of 430 litres can be expanded by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seat backrest. The optional Comfort Access includes the opening of the boot by waving the foot.
M235i, optional M Performance parts
Moving on to the business end of the story, there’ll be 218i, 220d, and M235i xDrive models at launch. The 218i is powered by a 1.5-litre (1,499 cc) 3-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 103 kW (140 hp) between 4,600 – 6,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque between 1480 – 4200 rpm. This variant comes with a 6-speed manual transmission as standard, while a 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch automatic is optional.
As the name suggests, the 220d is powered by a 2.0-litre (1,995 cc, Euro 6d-TEMP compliant) 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, with an output of 140 kW (190 hp) at 4,000 rpm and 400 Nm of torque between 1,750 – 2,500 rpm. This engine is paired to an 8-speed Steptronic automatic transmission.
The top-end M235i xDrive is powered by a 2.0-litre (1,998 cc) 4-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, producing 225 kW (306 hp) between 5,000 – 6,250 rpm and 450 Nm of torque between 1,750 – 4,500 rpm. An 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic transmission sends power to all four wheels via xDrive AWD system. This model gets Active Sound Design (ASD) system as standard, which according to BMW, “amplifies the actual sound from the engine and modulates it so the driver is treated to an exhilarating sporting soundtrack without any increase in external noise emissions”.
The M235i is claimed to accelerate from 0 – 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds, while the top speed is limited to 250 km/h. The 218i is the slowest among the range with a 0 – 100 km/h time of 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 215 km/h.
All models also get near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology, which is claimed to significantly improve traction in different conditions.
ARB uses a slip controller positioned directly in the engine control unit rather than in the control unit for the DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) system. Eliminating long signal paths means that information is relayed three times quicker, while the driver perceives wheel slip being brought under control up to ten times faster.
Market launch in March 2020. Prices in Germany will start at €31,950 for the 218i, €39,900 for the 220d, and €51,900 for the range-topping M235i xDrive. The car will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.
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