Photo: BMW
Leaked hours ahead of the grand reveal, the 2 Series Gran Coupe looks exactly as you’d imagined. The front-wheel-drive proportions can’t be hidden no matter how talented the designers are, and BMW knows all too well they’re playing second fiddle to the Mercedes-Benz CLA.
Speaking of the three-pointed star, Mercedes-AMG has can squeeze more than 400 horsepower from 2.0 liters of displacement in the CLA 45 S 4Matic+ without resorting to twin-turbocharging of mild-hybrid assistance. The Bavarian interloper, on the other hand, makes do with a little more than 300 horsepower from the M235i xDrive featured in the photo gallery.
To be frank, there’s no denying the 2 Series is prettier than the 1 Series sedan from China and the 1 Series hatchback for Europe. With a wheelbase that’s halfway between the span of the 2 Series coupe and 3 Series sedan, rear legroom might be a problem for taller adults. Also worthy of mentioning, the sloping roofline also cuts into the headroom of the rear occupants.
Three- and four-cylinder turbocharged engines are in the pipeline, both gasoline and diesel depending on the market. Being based on the same platform as the 1 Series and pretty much the entire MINI lineup, the F44 is offered with a six-speed manual, seven-speed DCT, and eight-speed auto.
Aside from the prominent character lines on the outside, the ventilated rear bumper and dual-tipped exhaust system of the M235i xDrive certainly help with the visual drama. Stepping inside reveals lots of ambient illumination, glossy black and aluminum garnish, as well as a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system with AI assistance.
What stands out the most as far as the cabin is concerned is the front-seat design for the M235i xDrive, featuring the ///M colors and a lot of bolstering to keep you snug while cornering like a man on a mission. Over in the U.S., the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be exclusively available in two flavors.
These are the 228i xDrive and M235i xDrive, both equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In other words, look forward to 228 and 302 horsepower as well as 258 and 332 pound-feet of torque.
To be frank, there’s no denying the 2 Series is prettier than the 1 Series sedan from China and the 1 Series hatchback for Europe. With a wheelbase that’s halfway between the span of the 2 Series coupe and 3 Series sedan, rear legroom might be a problem for taller adults. Also worthy of mentioning, the sloping roofline also cuts into the headroom of the rear occupants.
Three- and four-cylinder turbocharged engines are in the pipeline, both gasoline and diesel depending on the market. Being based on the same platform as the 1 Series and pretty much the entire MINI lineup, the F44 is offered with a six-speed manual, seven-speed DCT, and eight-speed auto.
Aside from the prominent character lines on the outside, the ventilated rear bumper and dual-tipped exhaust system of the M235i xDrive certainly help with the visual drama. Stepping inside reveals lots of ambient illumination, glossy black and aluminum garnish, as well as a digital instrument cluster and touchscreen infotainment system with AI assistance.
What stands out the most as far as the cabin is concerned is the front-seat design for the M235i xDrive, featuring the ///M colors and a lot of bolstering to keep you snug while cornering like a man on a mission. Over in the U.S., the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be exclusively available in two flavors.
These are the 228i xDrive and M235i xDrive, both equipped with an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive. In other words, look forward to 228 and 302 horsepower as well as 258 and 332 pound-feet of torque.
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