The first ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe 218i
The success story of four-door BMW coupes began in 2012 with the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupé, followed two years later by the BMW 4 Series Gran Coupé. The new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé has been available since September 2019 and first UK customer deliveries of the 2 Series Gran Coupé will take place on 14 March 2020.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé 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 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé 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.
Classical coupe silhouette with frameless side doors
The standout characteristic of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is its silhouette which, like the frameless side windows for the four doors, is lifted from the classical coupe blueprint. The 2 Series Gran Coupé is 4,526mm long and 1,800mm wide, but stands just 1,420mm tall. Despite its low-slung appearance, passengers are well catered for thanks to the 2,670mm wheelbase and there are various ways to expand the 430-litre load compartment.
The slightly angled headlights draw attention to the familiar BMW kidney grille. As on BMW coupes from higher up the range, the one-piece kidney grille adopts a sleek design which extends almost the full width between the headlights. The kidney bars are contoured with an eye‑catching vertical indentation, providing a three-dimensional effect on M Sport models with Aluminium satinated finish.
In contrast, an exclusive visual identifier of the line-up’s sporting flagship – the BMW M235i xDrive M Performance – is its striking grille design featuring pronounced three-dimensional mesh with a Cerium grey finish in place of the classical bars. The outer air intakes are also larger on the M235i xDrive and once again feature the Cerium grey finish.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is equipped as standard with full-LED headlights that can also be specified as an option in adaptive form. The rear lights also feature full-LED as standard. Also at the rear of the car are the 90mm dual chrome exhaust tailpipes (single on the 218i models), while the BMW M235i xDrive features free-form design tailpipe trims.
Engines
The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé 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 over-boost function which briefly generates an extra 10Nm in fourth gear or higher. The BMW 218i accelerates from zero to 62mph in 8.7 seconds and can reach a top speed of 134mph. It will return 42.2-47.1 mpg (WLTP) with CO2 emissions of 123-114g/km* (NEDC).
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 62mph sprint in 4.9 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. The M235i returns 36.2-37.2 mpg (WLTP) with CO2 emissions of 153g/km* (NEDC).
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 62mph takes just 7.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 146mph. The BMW 220d returns 53.3-57.6 mpg (WLTP) and emits 110g/km* of CO2 (NEDC).
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.
