New BMW 2 Series Grand Coupe – New Year Street Style

Published on 21st October 2019 at 08:42

Premium coupes are the epitome of street style, offering accessible space without any drop in your desire/need to be fashionable. Those with their finger on the motoring pulse will know that BMW use even numbers when denoting their line of coupe offerings, the latest being the new 2 Series Gran Coupe. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is on sale from 16 October with prices starting from €34,010 (RRP).

 

BMW four-door Grand Coupes arrived in our midst in 2012 with the 6 Series Gran Coupe, followed two years later by the 4 Series Gran Coupe, the new BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe available since September 2019, with first customer deliveries of the 2 Series Gran Coupe scheduled for early 2020.

 

The body of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe makes intelligent use of aluminium for the bonnet and tailgate and high-strength steels. Coming in front-wheel drive, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe also comes with the option of xDrive. Exterior design details including contoured kidney grille bars, a mesh grille for the BMW M235i xDrive M Performance model and the all-new design of the rear lights, which extend well towards the centre of the rear.

 

Size & Space

Frameless side windows for the four doors, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is 4,526mm long and 1,800mm wide, stands 1,420mm tall and has a 2,670mm wheelbase to provide passenger space. Boot space is 430-litres, (40 litres more than the two-door coupe) that can be expanded by folding down the 40/20/40 split rear-seat backrest, while the rear bench can be released fully from the load compartment.

 

Outside View

Slightly angled headlights draw attention to the BMW one-piece kidney grille, which extends almost the full width between the headlights. The kidney bars are contoured with vertical indentation, providing a three-dimensional effect on M Sport models with Aluminium satinated finish.

 

Those choosing the BMW M235i xDrive M Performance get a 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 Coupe 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 Coupe will be available 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 CO2 emissions have been reduced 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 overboost function which briefly generates an extra 10Nm in fourth gear or higher. The BMW 218i CO2 has an emission rating of 131-114g/km. Prices for the 218i start at €34,010

 

For those with the need, the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder, M235i xDrive delivers 306hp via BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission. Peak torque is 450Nm, with CO2 emissions of 162-153g/km. Prices for the M235i start at €52,030.

 

Diesel is still an option with the 2.0-litre, four-cylinder BMW 220d, with eight-speed Steptronic sport transmission and 190hp, with a peak torque of 400Nm and an emission rating of 119-110g/km of CO2. Prices for the 220d start at €44,180.

 

Up to 19-inch light-alloy wheels and large panoramic roof

The entry level Sport model will be fitted with 17-inch light-alloy wheels while the M-Sport and BMW M235i xDrive M Performance models will run on polished 18-inch light-alloy wheels.  The 19-inch rims will be available as an option for both the M Sport and M235i models.

 

A large panoramic roof with a glass area of 0.7 square metres is also optional. The opening in the headliner has an electrically operated roller blind to provide shading, while a net wind deflector and a comfort position for the glass roof panel keeps wind noise to a minimum when the roof is open.

 

The interior offers an array of ambient lighting, including trim strips on the instrument panel and door panels that retain their normal appearance in daylight, but function as decorative lighting elements in the dark.

 

On M Sport and M235i models with Extended Lighting as standard, there are six lighting colours to choose from and the brightness can be adjusted. The lighting is activated when the vehicle is unlocked and the desired colour and selected brightness level are stored in the personalised key.

 

Three variants:

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes in three variants: Sport, M Sport and the M Performance M235i xDrive.

 

The Sport model features:

·        - Sport seats, upholstered in Nivala Cloth/ Sensatec with orange or silver contrast stitching

 

M Sport gets sports seats in Dakota leather

  • M235i adds the M Seats with integrated headrests upholstered in cloth Alcantara
  • Sports steering wheel with decorative aluminium-look insert is standard on Sport models
  • M Sport and the M235i xDrive models come equipped with an M Sport leather steering wheel.


The Sport model comes with standard features including:

  • 17-inch alloy wheel
  • Front & rear Park Distance Control
  • Two-zone automatic air-con
  • BMW Connected Package Plus
  • BMW Live Cockpit Plus
  • Active Guard Plus with Lane Departure Warning

 

M Sport version adds:

  • 18-inch alloys,
  • M Sport Suspension
  • M Aerodynamic bodystyling
  • M Sport steering
  • Electric folding mirrors
  • Digital Cockpit Professional
  • BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant
  • BMW Connected Package Professional

 

Customers who opt for the M235i xDrive get:

  • Cerium grey 18-inch alloys
  • M235i M Sport suspension
  • Rear spoiler,
  • M Performance exhaust system
  • Limited Slip Differential on the front axle
  • Eight-speed sport automatic transmission featuring launch control. 

 

BMW Drive Tech

 

BMW has included near‑actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology as standard in the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe. This technology works in close tandem with the Dynamic Stability Control system to reduce power understeer. ARB is assisted in its task by the yaw moment distribution system known as BMW Performance Control.

 

This feature increases handling agility by intelligently applying the brakes at the wheels on the inside of the bend, before the slip threshold has been reached. This suppresses any initial understeer and gives the car neutral steering behaviour.

 

Alternatively, there is the option of the DSC system’s traction-optimising Dynamic Traction Control (DTC) setting. This enables the car to pull away more effectively on slippery or loose surfaces and it paves the way for a sportier driving style.

 

Intelligent all-wheel drive in the BMW M235i xDrive


ARB technology and BMW Performance Control also feature on the BMW M235i xDrive, which is equipped with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive as standard. It can split drive 50:50 if necessary and is designed to ensure predictable handling in all driving situations. This applies even if the Driving Experience Control switch is set to Sport mode, DTC is selected or DSC is deactivated. 

 

Limited Slip-Differential

 

The 2020 BMW M235i xDrive includes a newly developed mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential, which gives the car a sharper dynamic edge. The differential is integrated into the standard-fit eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission.

 

The Launch Control function puts peak torque of 450Nm on tap in first and second gear. Also, with the BMW M235i xDrive you get standard sports suspension, M Sport brakes and M Sport steering to produce a further noticeable increase in the car’s agility and stopping power.

 

Optionally available on the M235i is Adaptive suspension including VDC (Variable Damper Control), which offers two different damper response settings. The Driving Experience Control switch can be used to select either Comfort – for better ride comfort in poor road conditions – or Sport, to major on dynamism. The M Sport brakes are also optionally available as part of the M Sport Plus pack for M Sport Models.

 

Driver Assistance systems

 

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with standard equipment that includes:

  • Collision and pedestrian warning with city braking function
  • Lane Departure Warning with active lane return is also standard
  • Cruise Control with braking function.

 

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offers standard-fit Park Distance Control (PDC) with sensors at both the front and rear while a rear-view camera is fitted with the Park Assistant option. The optional Parking Assistant offers automatic assisted parking in spaces that are either parallel or perpendicular to the road. This system takes care of steering the car, accelerating and braking.

 

The BMW Live Cockpit Plus is standard on Sport models and includes features such as a Touch Controller, navigation system, two USB ports for data transfer and a WiFi interface. The 8.8-inch control display features a touchscreen, whilst the instrument cluster has a 5.1-inch colour display.

As part of BMW Live Cockpit Plus the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe includes a host of connected services as standard, including Emergency Call, Teleservices, Over-the-air and USB map updates, BMW App connectivity and Intelligent Voice assistant.

 

In addition to this the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offers the BMW Connected Package Plus as standard. This includes Remote Services, Real Time Traffic Information, and adds Concierge Services and Apple CarPlay Preparation.

Apple CarPlay Preparation will be standard on all new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe models. This service will be included for one year from build, and then renewable via the BMW ConnectedDrive portal thereafter, with one year, three year or lifetime subscriptions available.

The BMW Live Cockpit Professional is standard on M Sport and M235i models. This includes a fully digital, customisable instrument display behind the steering wheel with a screen size of 10.25 inches, coupled with a 10.25-inch Central Information Display.

 

BMW Live Cockpit Professional drivers get BMW’s Operating System 7.0, which is customisable to give personalised displays. In the main menu on the Control Display, the driver can configure up to ten pages, each showing two to four tiles with live content. Both the content and the graphics are personalised to an even greater degree – even the vehicle mock-up matches the actual model colour and equipment line.

 

With BMW Live Cockpit Professional the standard connectivity increases further as the BMW Connected Package Professional is included. This builds on the services offered in the BMW Connected Package and includes the additional functionality of, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant, Remote Software Upgrades, On-Street Parking Information, Connected Navigation and Intelligent Vehicle Functionality, which learns the drivers’ habits.

 

iDrive Controller, touch, voice or gestures

 

All new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe models offer the driver and passengers a host of intelligent ways to input commands into the vehicle. All models feature the iDrive Controller as standard, including a touchpad for character and numerical entry.

 

Central information displays are also offered with touchscreen functionality, meaning that the full system can be controlled via touch commands. Optional gesture control is also available and includes seven different gestures, two of which can be assigned to functions of the driver’s choosing.

 

In addition, a number of voice control systems with online speech processing are included, enabling the driver to control a number of functions and features simply by speaking.

 

BMW Head-up Display

 

The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe offers an optional 9.2-inch Head-up Display which intelligently positions information relevant to the journey into the driver's field of vision on the windscreen.

 

The projection of information onto the windscreen is in full colour, relates to driving data and is specific to the current situation. It has automatic brightness control and 3D graphics for junction view. The information that can be displayed includes navigation information, speed, country-specific display of traffic signs in the relevant colours, warning information from driver assistance systems, entertainment and communication lists.

BMW Digital Key


If the Comfort Access option is specified, the BMW Digital Key allows drivers to lock and unlock their vehicle from a Samsung Galaxy smartphone using Near Field Communication (NFC) technology.
 
Holding the smartphone up to the door handle opens the car, even if the phone battery is dead. The engine can be started as soon as the phone has been placed in the smartphone tray or wireless charging tray.

 

Accessible via BMW Connected once the owner’s identity has been checked, the driver can share keys with up to five other people. The BMW Digital Key is available for top-of-the-range NFC-capable Samsung Galaxy smartphones running Android 8.0 and above. Alternatively, the BMW Key Card can be used, which also features NFC technology.

 

BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant


The BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant first seen in the BMW 3 Series is also available on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, as part of BMW Live Cockpit Professional offering.

 

The intelligent, digital character responds to the prompt “Hey BMW” and learns the driver’s routines and habits in order to apply them in the appropriate context. The system helps the driver, learns their preferences and is familiar with their favoured settings – e.g. for the seat heating or the places they drive to frequently using the navigation system (“Take me home”).

 

Drivers can give the Intelligent Personal Assistant a name to create greater individuality and personality. The Intelligent Personal Assistant awaits the driver’s command, is always there to assist and even provide casual conversation. Saying “Hey BMW, I’m cold” will prompt the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant to adjust the temperature inside the car accordingly. You will never be alone again!

 

The Personal Assistant is able to explain all sorts of different functions (“How does the High Beam Assistant work?”), provide current status information (“Is the oil level okay?”) and help answer questions (“What messages do I have?”).

 

Drivers can allow access to their calendar and contacts, which will enable the assistant to find parking spaces at the destination, provide information on traffic jams along the route, find the nearest fuel station and remind the driver when they need to set off.

 

The range of available functions and skills is constantly expanding thanks to regular updates, which can be carried out over the air or via a smartphone and in-car with the help of the new Remote Software Upgrade facility.

 

Infotainment and sound systems


The standard BMW Stereo sound system offers six speakers and 100-watt amplifier, while a Harman Kardon surround sound system with 464 watts of audio power and 16 speakers is optionally available.

 

Connected Navigation.


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 straight to their car’s navigation system from various apps and from the comfort of their own home. Favourite destinations can be stored in BMW Connected and automatically synchronised with the car, so that key addresses can be accessed from any device at any time.