BMW will launch its stylish 2 Series Gran Coupé sometime around July or August this year. The carmaker’s first three-box car to go on sale – positioned below the brand’s mainstay, the 3 Series – the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé will take on the new Mercedes-Benz A-class Limousine and the Audi A3 sedan. Like the X1 SUV, the 2 Series Gran Coupé is built on BMW’s front-wheel-drive platform.
Attractive looking on the outside and very BMW, the car gets the company's signature new kidney grille and raked-back headlight units – with the carmaker’s double-barrel headlight identity detailed with LEDs – along with an aggressive chin. Walk around to the side and you are greeted by the 2 Series Gran Coupé's interesting and flowing roofline that ends in a fastback-like rear. Similar in profile to some of BMW's GT cars – such as the 5 Series GT and the now-discontinued 3 Series GT – the car also gets a strong shoulder line, a chunky rear and a variation of BMW’s chunky 'L' shaped LED tail-lights. While some of the cars ride on large 19-inch wheels, in India, the 2 Series Gran Coupé is likely to get smaller (and more practical) 17-inch wheels.
In comparison to the upcoming Mercedes-Benz A-class Limousine, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is slightly smaller overall – it is 23mm shorter in length (at 4,526mm), 4mm wider (at 1,800mm), 26mm shorter in height (1,420mm) and has a wheelbase that’s 59mm shorter (at 2,670mm). Interestingly, the BMW’s 430-litre boot is larger than the A-class’, but the India-spec model will get a space-saver spare tyre, which will eat into the boot space.
The 2 Series Gran Coupé is, of course, a four-door coupe and comes with attractive looking pillarless doors and a blacked-out B-pillar. Access to the front sport seats is good and finding a comfortable driving position is also easy. The BMW also doesn't feel very low-slung and visibility from the driver's seat is good. Also extremely impressive, especially on higher-spec versions, are quality and equipment levels. Unless you pay attention and look specifically for parts lower down the dash (where BMW has saved a bit of cash), quality and kit levels and are right up there with the 3 Series, with many elements such as the screen-based instrument panel, steering wheel, vents on the centre console, and the pod around the gear lever being carried over.
However, the 2 Series Gran Coupé doesn't feel as wide as a 3 Series up front, and legroom at the rear is also a bit tight. Still, get past the small rear door, put your feet under the front seats and comfort levels and space are pretty decent. BMW has scooped out just enough headroom even for six footers, and the backrest is nice and supportive, making it suitable for the chauffeur-driven as well. The cabin, however, is narrow, so you can forget seating three abreast in comfort. Thigh support isn't great either. The rear seat is placed slightly higher than the front seat so the theatre-style seating makes things more comfortable, but if you’re over 6 feet tall, it will be a bit tight for headroom.
What stands out is that the 2 Series Gran Coupé seems just as well put-together and equipped as the 3 Series, especially at first look. BMW is clearly going all out to impress with the 2 Series Gran Coupé, leaving no stone unturned in making this car a success.
The 2 Series Gran Coupé is expected to come to India with two engine options. The 220d will come with a 190hp, 2.0-litre diesel engine, while the 220i is expected to get a slightly detuned version of the 140hp, 1.5-litre turbo-petrol engine that is also expected to do duty in the X1 facelift that’s set to be launched soon.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé’s prices in India are likely to start around Rs 32 lakh, with prices for the top-of-the-line variants going all the way up to Rs 38 lakh (ex-showroom).
Also see:
New BMW X6 bookings open; India launch soon
BMW to end i8 production run in April
BMW India registers sales of 9,000 units in 2019
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