The four-door coupe expands the 2 Series line-up, sitting alongside the soon-to-be-replaced two-door coupe as well as the larger Active Tourer and Gran Tourer MPV models.
The new 2 Series Gran Coupe wears a front end borrowed directly from the current 1 Series. However, from the windscreen backwards, it features a swooping coupe roofline, with a redesigned rear end sporting thinner rear lights and a small ‘duck tail’ style rear spoiler.
The range-entry Sport model is shod with 17-inch alloys and offers LED lights and front and rear parking sensors. Inside, sports seats feature fabric trim, with a choice of silver or orange contrasting stitching. Lane departure warning also features, along with BMW Connected app connectivity. A full-length panoramic sunroof and head up display reside on the options list.
The more popular M Sport cars get a sporty body kit with restyled front and rear bumpers and 18-inch alloy wheels as standard. Larger 19-inch alloy wheels are available as an option. M Sport specification also adds a recalibrated steering setup and sports suspension. The interior features heated leather-trimmed sports seats and a digital dial cluster.
The flagship M235i xDrive M Performance model gets a set of unique 18-inch alloy wheels, upgraded suspension specifically tuned for the model, a limited slip diff to aid traction and an M Sport exhaust system. Sporty additions to the interior include a leather-trimmed M Sport steering wheel and Dakota leather-trimmed sports seats with Alcantara-trimmed headrests.
Riding on the same underpinnings as the latest 1 Series hatch, X2 SUV and MINI hatchback, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is available with front-wheel drive or BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
At launch, a 138hp 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine will power the range-entry 218i model. Power is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed manual gearbox, with BMW claiming fuel economy of between 42.2 - 47.1mpg and CO2 emissions of 114 - 123g/km depending on specification. The 218i is capable of 0-62mph in 8.7 seconds with a top speed of 134mph.
With its 2.0-litre diesel engine producing 187hp, the 220d will appeal to long-distance drivers and is paired with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy is claimed to be between 53.3 - 57.6mpg, with CO2 emissions of 110g/km. Performance is respectable with 0-62mph taking 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 146mph.
At the top of the compact launch range is the M235i xDrive, which uses the same turbocharged 302hp 2.0-litre petrol engine found in the M135i hatchback. It delivers its power to all four wheels via an eight-speed automatic gearbox, sprinting from 0-62mph in 4.8 seconds when equipped with the optional M Performance package.
Inside, the dashboard and switchgear are identical to those already seen in the 1 Series. An 8.8-inch infotainment screen is standard, with a larger 10.25-inch screen on the options list. A digital dial cluster also features, as does the latest version of BMW’s excellent iDrive infotainment software.
