BMW’s small four-door coupe, the 2 Series Gran Coupe, is in SA
We saw spy shots of this ‘baby’ gran coupe in testing, we’ve seen the official first look press images and now it’s available to own in South Africa. Unfortunately with lockdown in place, we can’t bring you driving impressions, we can however, tell you what you need to know about the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
It’s the baby sedan from BMW
The 2 Series, in true Gran Coupe style, has pillarless doors, a long sloping roofline and a glasshouse that extends far back into the rear of the car.
3 engines on offer
Two petrol engines are available; the 3-cylinder 103 kW to power the 218i and BMW’s most powerful four-cylinder will power the M235i xDrive that will return 225 kW. The single diesel unit will be the familiar four-cylinder 2.0-litre producing 140 kW in front-wheel-drive variant only. This may be a baby sedan though it’s not following in BMW sedan footsteps by being rear-wheel drive. Like the new 1 Series with which it shares architecture, this is a front-wheel drive only affair unless going for the range-topping M235i that then gets the xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
2 Series Gran Coupe styling notes
The familiar BMW kidney grille is present; the range-topping M235i xDrive will get a mesh design in the grille, inspired by the racing cars from BMW.
New to the 2 Series is the standard LED headlights across the board; adaptive LED headlights can be optioned in.
The rear is interesting, featuring a black high-gloss link strip that ‘connects’ the light-clusters to each other, there’s no light strip within this link (which seems to be a trend) that we can see.
Trim options will be the entry-level Basic, Advantage, followed by the Sport line, Luxury Line and the all-spec-thrown-in M Sport line. The range-topping M235i xDrive will feature an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox with launch control functionality, M-Sport Steering, and M-Sport braking system.
Is it… sporty?
We’re not sure, though we’ve compiled a table of the numbers that look good on paper.
218i | 220d | M235i xDrive | |
Top Speed | 215 km | 235 km | 250 km |
0 – 100 km | 8, 7 sec | 7, 5 sec | 4, 9 sec |
Claimed consumption | 5.4 – 5.7 l/100 km | 4.2 – 4.5 l/100 km | 6.7 – 7.1 l/100 km |
CO2 g/km | 114 – 131 | 110 – 119 | 153 – 162 |
Tyres | 16-inch | 17-inch | 18-inch |
Fuel tank | 42-litres | 50-litres | 50-litres |
Technology
BMW is known for being up to date on technological features, the 2 Series is no different. Options on offer are the BMW Head-up Display, Intelligent Personal Assistant, Apple CarPlay, remote software upgrade, BMW gesture control for audio, extensive driver assistance systems and reversing assistance aka rear-view camera.
If you option in the digital key it’ll turn your smartphone into the key, you’ll be able to lock and unlock the 2 Series via the app, and start the 2 Series using your phone if the device is placed in the appropriate compartment tray.
Active safety systems
Technology in the 2 Series Gran Coupe will include Lane Departure Warning with active lane return, Active Cruise Control, and the Driving Assistant. This assistant will feature lane-change warning, rear-collision warning, cross-traffic warning, and the aforementioned reversing assistant.
BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
The Intelligent Personal Assistant is something else and we’re keen to see if South Africa will offer this option. A fully-fledged BMW expert, the digital character will learn your habits and routines, like where you drive most often, and apply them where it thinks the info might be needed. Along with learning your habits the assistant will be able to have a casual chat, try and joke with you or tell you an interesting story.
Recommended retail prices in South Africa (including VAT, excluding CO2 tax) for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe
BMW 218i – R 515 000
BMW 220d – R 595 000
BMW M235i xDrive – R 725 000
Local images from BMW SA will be available after lockdown ends.
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Images: BMW Press Club