BMW shows off new 2 Series Gran Coupe

BMW is adding to its successful coupe line-up with the new, sleek 2 Series Gran Coupe. The car will celebrate its world premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November, completing both BMW the 2 Series line-up and the company’s four-door coupe range.

The success story of four-door BMW coupes began in 2012 with the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe, followed two years later by the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe. The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe has been available since September 2019 and first customer deliveries of the 2 Series Gran Coupe are scheduled for early 2020.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe features the latest front-wheel-drive and AWD architecture also seen in the BMW 1 Series, along with an array of other technological developments.

Equipped with cutting-edge chassis technology and innovative systems, the four-door model sets the benchmark in terms of driving dynamics and agility within the segment.

The Gran Coupe is a standalone model with exclusive exterior design details including eye-catching contoured kidney grille bars, a mesh grille for the flagship BMW M235i xDrive M Performance model and, most strikingly, the all-new design of the rear lights, which extend well towards the centre of the rear.

The new car will be available from launch with a choice of three engines – one diesel and two petrol.

A revised 1.5 litre three-cylinder engine will power the entry level BMW 218i, where technological advances have reduced CO2 emissions by 29g/km over the previous engine, while boosting maximum power output by 4hp to 140hp.

Now 5kg lighter, it generates peak torque of 220Nm, with an overboost function which briefly generates an extra 10Nm in fourth gear or higher.

The BMW 218i accelerates from zero to 100km/h in 8.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 215km/h. It will return 49.6-56.5mpg with CO2 emissions of 131-114g/km.

The 2.0 litre unit under the bonnet of the M235i xDrive is the BMW Group’s most powerful four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum output of 306hp with the help of BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

Peak torque is 450Nm, which helps it to achieve the benchmark zero to 100km/h sprint in 4.9 seconds, while top speed is limited to 250km/h. The M235i returns 39.8-42.2mpg with CO2 emissions of 162-153g/km.

The diesel offering comes in the form of the 2.0 litre four-cylinder BMW 220d, which generates a maximum power output of 190hp with a peak torque of 400Nm.

The sprint from zero to 100km/h takes just 7.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 235km/h. The BMW 220d returns 62.8-67.3mpg and emits 119-110g/km of CO2.

Improvements have been made to the shift comfort and acoustic properties of the eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission fitted in the BMW 220d and in the BMW M235i xDrive. Swift automatic gear changes ensure the car is driving in the highest possible gear, even when travelling at low speeds. The driver can also change gear manually using the shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is on sale from 16 October with prices starting from €34,010.