All-new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe to take on the Mercedes-Benz CLA



After seeing the success of their 4-door coupes on the upper-echelon with the 4 Series, 6 Series and the recently launched 8 Series, BMW has once again brought its “Gran Coupe” treatment to the other models. Already teased back in March, BMW has now finally unveiled the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe!

Despite being called the 2 Series Gran Coupe, the four door coupe actually shares mechanical underpinnings with the recently launched 1 Series. Built on the FAAR architecture, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be front-wheel drive, while the 2-door coupe will remain rear-wheel driven for now.

The 2 Series Gran Coupe will be available with three engine choices at launch. The entry-level 218i with a 140 hp 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine, and a 2.0-litre diesel producing 190 hp on the 220d. 

The range-topping M235i xDrive will be powered by a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbocharged engine producing 306 hp and 450 Nm of torque to go with its four-wheel-drive capability.  

The 218i will be available with a six-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, while all other variants are only available with an 8-speed automatic. Specific to the M235i xDrive is also a Torsen limited-slip differential, BMW’s ARB traction control system, M sport brakes, and extra bracing for additional stiffness to provide a sportier driving experience. 

Like its bigger four-door siblings – the 4 Series, 6 Series, and 8 Series Gran Coupes – BMW has given great focus to the design of the car, featuring the signature stretched low-slung flowing roofline. 

The 2 Series Gran Coupe gains its own version of a widened kidney grille featuring contoured vertical slats on the lower-end models while the M235i gets a race-car inspired 3D mesh design. The M235i also gets enlarged air inlet surrounds along with a rectangular “free-form” exhaust at the rear.

Flanking the kidney grilles are the angled full-LED headlights, which comes as standard on all variants with an optional adaptive version. 

Over at the rear, the signature “L” shaped taillights are now even more slender in appearance, and draws from the side of the car inwards to accentuate the width of the car along with the use of horizontal lines and a lower license plate placement. The M235i also gets a bespoke BMW M rear apron and ducktail spoiler.

The new 2 Series Gran Coupes will ride on light-alloy wheels, ranging from 16 inches on the entry-level models to 18-inch polished wheels on the M Sport models and the M235i. A 19-inch wheel is available as an option. 

Despite its sporty appearance, BMW did not sacrifice the Gran Coupe’s practicality, with a 430-litre rear boot space thanks to its 2670 mm wheelbase. The rear load compartment can be further expanded by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear seats.

Moving inside, the first thing you will notice is the frameless side doors all-round! The rear passengers also gain an extra 33-millimeters of leg room, along with extra head room, while sitting 12 mm higher than the coupe.   

Up front, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is equipped with BMW’s digital driver’s display, a standard 8.8-inch touchscreen infotainment display with BMW Operating System 7.0, with the option for a 10.25-inch touchscreen and a 9.2-inch heads-up display.    

In customary BMW fashion, the centre dashboard is tilted slightly towards the driver to emphasise the driver-focused cockpit, with different materials used on the dashboard to “split” the driver and passenger areas. 

The 2 Series Gran Coupe has also been blessed with technologies filtering down from the higher model classes, including the Parking Assistant with Reversing Assistant, BMW Digital Key (with your smartphone), “Hey BMW” voice assistant, as well as safety features such as collision and pedestrian warning with City Brake function, Lane Departure Warning system with active lane return. 

Optional safety features such as Active Cruise Control with stop-go functionality, and BMW’s Driving Assistant active driver’s assistance suite can also be specified. 


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