Photo: BMW
The F44 was a rumor back in 2012, but on this very day, the real deal will be presented with the newest member of the 2 Series. Underpinned by the 1 Series and MINI front-wheel-drive vehicle architecture, the Gran Coupe promises to be the third sexiest 2 Series after the rear-drive coupe and convertible.
A four-door premium sedan with a compact footprint, the F44 caters to customers who want a smaller car than the 3 Series and a prettier alternative to the 1 Series hatchback. All-wheel drive will be on offer, along with the M235i xDrive that promises more than 300 horsepower from 2.0 liters displacement.
There’s no denying the rear-end design is the standout feature of the 2 Series Gran Coupe, more so if you take the L-shaped taillights into consideration. A trunk lid spoiler and prominent rear bumper are included, along with frameless windows and two options for the kidney grille. In the case of the M235i xDrive, expect a stylized mesh painted in black to emphasize the range-topper’s sportiness.
In the suck-squeeze-bang-blow department, entry-level models should be gifted with three-cylinder turbo options fueled by gasoline or diesel. The range is supposed to start with the 216d and 218i, complemented by the 218d, 220d, and 228i with either front- or all-wheel drive. The M235i xDrive develops 302 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, translating to 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the case of the 1 Series hatchback in this specification.
Scheduled to debut in the flesh at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be launched in Europe and the United States in the spring of 2020. BMW-developed ARB technology has also been confirmed, translating to actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation for further stability in the corners.
BMW Performance Control is another highlight worth mentioning, a system that distributes a larger portion of the driving forces to the outer wheels while cornering. On an ending note, the marketing department says about the 2 Series Gran Coupe that “it hasn’t even arrived yet but is already streets ahead.” Thanks, but no thanks; front-wheel drive is nothing more than front-wheel drive at the end of the day, an unbecoming drivetrain layout for a BMW with sporting potential.
There’s no denying the rear-end design is the standout feature of the 2 Series Gran Coupe, more so if you take the L-shaped taillights into consideration. A trunk lid spoiler and prominent rear bumper are included, along with frameless windows and two options for the kidney grille. In the case of the M235i xDrive, expect a stylized mesh painted in black to emphasize the range-topper’s sportiness.
In the suck-squeeze-bang-blow department, entry-level models should be gifted with three-cylinder turbo options fueled by gasoline or diesel. The range is supposed to start with the 216d and 218i, complemented by the 218d, 220d, and 228i with either front- or all-wheel drive. The M235i xDrive develops 302 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, translating to 4.8 seconds to 100 km/h (62 mph) in the case of the 1 Series hatchback in this specification.
Scheduled to debut in the flesh at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be launched in Europe and the United States in the spring of 2020. BMW-developed ARB technology has also been confirmed, translating to actuator contiguous wheel slip limitation for further stability in the corners.
BMW Performance Control is another highlight worth mentioning, a system that distributes a larger portion of the driving forces to the outer wheels while cornering. On an ending note, the marketing department says about the 2 Series Gran Coupe that “it hasn’t even arrived yet but is already streets ahead.” Thanks, but no thanks; front-wheel drive is nothing more than front-wheel drive at the end of the day, an unbecoming drivetrain layout for a BMW with sporting potential.
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