The new BMW Gran Coupe, a 2 Series
This is not the first time BMW has employed the Gran Coupe design theme on one of their vehicles, it is, however, the first 2 Series that features the styling cues.
Upfront there are slightly angled full-LED headlights flanking the signature kidney grille which now takes shape as one large element. Moving along the side is where you would notice the stretched silhouette accentuated by the four frameless windows. At the rear flanking the BMW badge is two elongated rear lights stretching towards the centre of the vehicle and connected by a thin high-gloss black band.
After unlocking the 2 Series with the BMW Digital Key and entering the cockpit, the driver gains access to the variety of innovative assistance systems. Included in these systems is the Lane Departure Warning System, Active Cruise Control, Driving Assistant, Lane Change Warning
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe benefits from the innovative driver, rear collision warning and crossing traffic warning and the reversing assistant. Another safety feature for the driver, only after your smartphone has been placed in its tray will the engine ignite. Further bolstering the features list is the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant which takes shape as a BMW expert and will apply settings based on your routines and driving habits, also, it can even provide casual conversation, throwing in the occasional joke or relating interesting stories. More convenience comes from the Connected Navigation which gives the drivers the ability to access destination links from a variety of apps and easily navigate using the on-board navigation system.
Incorporated into the 4 526 millimetres long,1 800 millimetres wide and 1 420 millimetres tall vehicle is the same front-wheel-drive architecture found in the new 1 Series in addition to other technological features. The Gran Coupe also borrows the near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) technology found in the BMW i3s which in conjunction with the BMW Performance Control, limits wheel slip resulting in increased handling agility. BMW has decided to launch the new model into the market with three engine options.
First on the list is the three-cylinder petrol motor capable of 103 kW which features in the BMW 218i while the BMW 220d comes fitted with a 140 kW four-cylinder diesel unit. At the top of the offering list is the BMW M235i xDrive which features a four-cylinder petrol engine mated to an eight-speed Steptronic Sport transmission, developing 225 kW. The M235i comes standard with the BMW xDrive all-wheel-drive system and mechanical Torsen limited-slip differential, M Sport steering and M Sport brakes. Customers will have the option of three equipment lines: Basic, Sport Line and M Sport on the M235i xDrive.
Pricing
BMW 218i Gran Coupe – R 515 000
BMW 220d Gran Coupe – R 595 000
BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe – R 725 000
