The compact four-door BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe expands the range of the brand further.Verdict
Four-door coupes are becoming increasingly popular, and the 2 Series Gran Coupe is a welcome addition to the growing BMW rankings, especially in the 220d form. Using a Front-drive enterprise platform and a potent four-cylinder diesel, Gran Coupe does an excellent job of providing 2 series with an extra dose of style, strong dynamics and, for BMW, a generous rate of equipment alongside the most apparent rival Mercedes, CLA 220d. It's also surprisingly widespread inside, given its format.Not long ago, the idea of a four-door Coupe was something of an anomaly. But increasingly this formula appeals to young, upwardly Mobile types that are more often than not yet have children. And the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is one of the most recent, more niche submissions in the German brand that continues to expand the range of models.
It is based on a common front-wheel-drive platform which is a new series 1 and 2 series. It adds an additional hit style plus a sharp yet delicate driving dynamics, according to BMW, while also providing more massive boots of the hatchback from his cousin. In 220d form, as tested here, the cost is £31,355 and powered by a 2.0-litre engine, four-cylinder turbodiesel that develops torque of 187bhp and 400Nm is very impressive. It was enough to send 220d front-driven from 0-62mph at a respectable 7.5 seconds and for a top speed of 146mph, while at the same time delivering 56.5 MPG in a theoretical combined cycle and CO2 emissions of 131g/km.
All models of Gran Coupe come as standard in Sport Trim, but for an additional £2,500 you can specify the M Sport Trim, and it's the car you see here. For this you get a more significant 18-inch M alloy (sports standard has 17S), the BMW cockpit Pro system-which benefits from a larger 10.25-inch touchscreen display Center and an OS version 7 of the BMW-Dakota iDrive Leather seat system fabric, M sports door Sill finish, extended interior lighting, an M Sport gear lever and a variety of bits of the body M sports enclosure, including different front and back bumper designs.
Vitally, you also get a BMW M Sport steering and a rigid suspension, which means a sharper response is not only at your fingertips, but under your back as well. So it's no surprise that BMW UK claimed most buyers would go for the sports M version. By comparison, the Mercedes CLA 220d AMG Line costs £35,475 and comes with no standard equipment from BMW and only performance from the top of the Misai, making 220d M sport looks like a decent value at £33,895.
The Interior is the same as 1 series ', and there is nothing wrong with it. The main instrument of TFT screen is excellent and intuitive to use, the cab design is usually driver-oriented, the Dakota leather of M Sport we drove was high quality and even quite pleasant in the nose. This is definitely one of the most fun and enjoyable cabins in this segment-everything look and works as you'd expect.
Behind there is just about enough space for a six-footer to sit behind another six-footer, plus a well-shaped 430-litre boot that provides more space than you get in 1 Series. In fact, the larger 3 Series only has a 50-litre advantage over the Gran Coupe when it comes to carrying the Ultimate capacity. On this proof, then, there should be enough to go for 2 series to allow it to qualify as a sensible family car.
BMW says it has softened the touch case of Gran Coupe to give the car a smooth drive when compared to the 1 series, and that is how it feels on the road.
It's not what you call soft, but the Gran Coupe doesn't feel like sliding with calmness over the ordinary hatchback, with arguably more sense through the steering and a good understanding of Mid-Corner balance. If you are not informed, you will never suspect that it is the front-wheel drive, such as calmness and refinement of the steering and suspension. The brakes are also reliable and give a good feeling through the pedals.
This machine is not the most tuneful, it must be said, but then turbodiesel rarely. Instead, it was efficient, effective, smooth and finally quite a Soulful power unit, but one suffered virtually no lag and gave a sharp acceleration of as little as 1, 800rpm. The gearbox is the same 8-speed ZF Auto you get something from 1 series to 8 series, and in this case, it usually works well, with smooth, top business change and down ratio.
Assuming you don't mind the appearance – some people seem to like it, some don't, though touching M sports is definitely lifting it visually overall – there's a lot to like about the latest offerings from BMW.
Prominent elements are the interior, the level of technology offered, and the chassis. Where the whole package is disappointing is the engine, but the amount of raw and performance it provides is difficult to argue against. Gran Coupe is a beautiful car from BMW, but not a big one.
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