Photo: SH Proshots
BMW's bet to launch a Mercedes CLA rival has paid off, and after three years in production, the model is getting a replacement. We're talking about the 2 Series Gran Coupe, which is the brand's most affordable new car on sale stateside that sits below the mechanically different 2 Series Coupe and the X1 with which it shares many components.
Spied in a premiere, the next BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe appears to be an evolution of its predecessor. Don't think of it as a mid-cycle refresh because it will feature plenty of updates to be considered a second generation. But as much as some enthusiasts would want the two-door 2er to lend its rear-wheel drive construction, it will retain the front-wheel drive architecture shared with the 1 Series, X1, X2, and MINI Countryman, with optional xDrive all-wheel drive.
Power-wise, the upcoming 2 Series GC is expected to launch with several mild-hybrid engines with three and four cylinders, assisted by forced induction. The US lineup currently comprises the 228i with front-and all-wheel drive, making 228 hp, and the M235i xDrive, with 301 hp. Chances are the range-topping version will get the same 2.0L four-pot as the 2024 X1 M35i xDrive, which develops 312 hp and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm), thus improving by the 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) sprint that currently takes 4.6 seconds by one or two tenths.
Protruding more into the hood, the headlamps are new, and those not into the exaggerated proportions of the kidney grille on certain modern-day BMWs shouldn't worry about this aspect, as it won't be oversized. We can see that it features traditional door handles and a different back-end design, with the license plate moving further up, the bumper sporting a cleaner shape, and the (integrated?) trunk lid spoiler being on the more discreet side. The taillights are also new, though we cannot make out their size and shape due to the thick camouflage wrapped around the exterior of these two scooped prototypes.
We have yet to catch a glimpse of the interior, considering that these are the first spy shots of the updated 2er GC, but when our man with the cam manages to get close enough to snap a few images of the cabin, we should see a new infotainment system and digital instrument cluster linked together by a single pane of glass. Chances are the dashboard, center console, steering wheel, door cards, and so on will be all-new, thus drawing a clearer line between the current iteration and the new one. Full details about it should be released during the unveiling, probably sometime next year, as the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is rumored to launch as a 2025 model in our market.
Power-wise, the upcoming 2 Series GC is expected to launch with several mild-hybrid engines with three and four cylinders, assisted by forced induction. The US lineup currently comprises the 228i with front-and all-wheel drive, making 228 hp, and the M235i xDrive, with 301 hp. Chances are the range-topping version will get the same 2.0L four-pot as the 2024 X1 M35i xDrive, which develops 312 hp and 295 pound-feet (400 Nm), thus improving by the 0-60 mph (0-97 kph) sprint that currently takes 4.6 seconds by one or two tenths.
Protruding more into the hood, the headlamps are new, and those not into the exaggerated proportions of the kidney grille on certain modern-day BMWs shouldn't worry about this aspect, as it won't be oversized. We can see that it features traditional door handles and a different back-end design, with the license plate moving further up, the bumper sporting a cleaner shape, and the (integrated?) trunk lid spoiler being on the more discreet side. The taillights are also new, though we cannot make out their size and shape due to the thick camouflage wrapped around the exterior of these two scooped prototypes.
We have yet to catch a glimpse of the interior, considering that these are the first spy shots of the updated 2er GC, but when our man with the cam manages to get close enough to snap a few images of the cabin, we should see a new infotainment system and digital instrument cluster linked together by a single pane of glass. Chances are the dashboard, center console, steering wheel, door cards, and so on will be all-new, thus drawing a clearer line between the current iteration and the new one. Full details about it should be released during the unveiling, probably sometime next year, as the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is rumored to launch as a 2025 model in our market.
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