BMW revealed their first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. The BMW brings the four-door coupe concept that has already enjoyed success in higher vehicle classes into the premium compact segment for the first time. It injects a fresh dose of individuality, aesthetic appeal and emotional engagement, backed up by innovative control/operation and connectivity tech, excellent everyday usability and the dynamic capability for which BMW is renowned. Here are the top 5 things you need to know about the first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.
1. Sporty Appearance
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe looks like a baby BMW M8 Gran Coupe. The Dynamic front end with fresh interpretation of BMW icons: the slightly angled headlights (full-LED as standard) forming the prominent BMW four-eyed face draw attention to the familiar BMW kidney grille, which takes the form of a large and connected element similar to the one seen in BMW X2.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe measures 4,526 millimetres in length and 1,800 millimetres in width, and stands 1,420 millimetres tall. Despite its low-slung, sporty appearance, passengers are well catered for space-wise, thanks to the 2,670‑millimetre wheelbase. Plus, the 430‑litre load compartment can be expanded in various ways. The three-dimensional mesh replacing the bars in the kidney grille is inspired by racing cars and adds an alluring visual feature.
2. Frameless Side Windows
The standout features of the first-ever BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe include the dynamically stretched silhouette, the four frameless side windows and the rear lights extending well into the centre of the rear end, merging into a High-gloss Black band that runs up to and encircles the centrally located BMW badge.
3. Digital Key
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe can be locked and unlocked from a smartphone if the optional BMW Digital Key is specified. The engine can also be started as soon as the smartphone is placed in its tray. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe houses a dashboard similar to the BMW X2. The 2 Series Gran Coupe features the new BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, which is part of the control/operating concept. As a fully-fledged BMW expert, this digital character can learn routines and habits and subsequently apply them in the appropriate context.
He/she can also provide casual conversation, throwing in the occasional joke or relating interesting stories. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe also features the new Connected Navigation services allow internal and external information to be factored into route planning. BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe drivers will be able to send destinations from various apps straight to their car’s navigation system, store and sync them.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe benefits from innovative driver assistance systems filtering down from higher models. The Lane Departure Warning system with active lane return and collision and pedestrian warning with city braking function are fitted as standard in Europe, while Active Cruise Control, the Driving Assistant including Lane Change Warning, rear collision warning and crossing traffic warning, plus the innovative reversing assistant are all available as options.
4. Dynamic Yardstick
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sets out to establish the dynamic yardstick in its class. The underpinnings for this are provided by the advanced BMW front-wheel-drive architecture, which the Gran Coupe shares with the new BMW 1 Series along with an array of other technological developments. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe gets near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) tech familiar from the BMW i3s allows wheel slip to be controlled much more sensitively and swiftly than before.ARB is assisted in its task by the standard yaw moment distribution system BMW Performance Control, which increases handling agility by intelligently applying the brakes at the wheels on the inside of the bend before the slip threshold has been reached and ensures neutral steering behaviour.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe get 3 engine options. One diesel and two petrol engines are available at launch: a three-cylinder petrol with 103 kW (140 hp) in the BMW 218i, a 140 kW (190 hp) four-cylinder diesel unit in the BMW 220d and the BMW Group’s most powerful four-cylinder engine – developing 225 kW (306 hp) – in the BMW M235i xDrive.
The BMW 228i xDrive with two-litre four-cylinder engine producing output of 170 kW (231 hp) is only available in the USA. All engines comply with the strict Euro 6d‑TEMP emissions standard. The standard specification for the sporty BMW M235i xDrive range-topper includes BMW xDrive all-wheel drive, a mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential, M Sport steering and M Sport brakes. The eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission also features a Launch Control mode.
5. Most Affordable Sedan
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe’s world premiere will be taking place at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November 2019 and market launch will get underway in March 2020. The Prices in Germany will start at €31,950 (Rs.25,25,455) for the BMW 218i, €39,900 (Rs.31,53,855) for the BMW 220d and €51,900 (Rs.41,02,383) for the range-topping BMW M235i xDrive. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the most affordable sedan from the BMW. The 2 Series Gran Coupe might be launched in India by second quarter of 2020.