Four into 2 will go for BMW

BMW is slotting the last piece of its Gran Coupe jigsaw into place with the launch of the new 2 Series Gran Coupe which is now available from UK dealers with prices starting from £25,815.

First seen at the Los Angeles Auto Show last November the new compact, four door coupe model completes both the 2 Series line-up and the company’s four-door coupe range.

It features the latest front-wheel-drive and AWD architecture also seen in the BMW 1 Series, along with an array of other technological developments. It’s available from launch with a choice of three engines – one diesel and two petrol – and three trim levels: Sport, M Sport and M Performance.

A revised 1.5-litre, 140hp three-cylinder, turbo engine powers the entry level 218i Gran Coupe providing acceleration from rest to 62mph in 8.7 seconds and a top speed of 134mph. It will return 42.2-47.1 mpg according to WLTP testing with CO2 emissions of 123-114g/km.

The two-litre unit under the bonnet of the all-wheeldrive M235i xDrive is the BMW Group’s most powerful four-cylinder engine, delivering a maximum output of 306hp with twin turbo technology. Peak torque is 450Nm, which helps it to achieve the benchmark zero to 62mph sprint in 4.9 seconds, while top speed is limited to 155mph. The M235i returns 36.2-37.2 mpg (WLTP) with CO2 emissions of 153g/km and is priced from £37,255.

The 220d diesel model, priced from £31,355, has a two-litre, 190hp four-cylinder oil-burner under the bonnet with a peak torque of 400Nm. The sprint from zero to 62mph takes

7.5 seconds on the way to a top speed of 146mph with WLTP tested fuel consumption of 53.3-57.6 mpg and 110g/km of CO2 emissions.

The entry level Sport models come with 17-inch alloy wheels, front & rear park distance control, two-zone automatic air-con, BMW Connected Package Plus, Live Cockpit Plus and Active Guard Plus with Lane Departure Warning. The M Sport version adds 18-inch alloys, sports suspension, aerodynamic bodystyling,

M Sport steering, electric folding mirrors, heated seats, extended lighting, Digital Cockpit Professional, BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant and BMW Connected Package Professional.

Customers who opt for the M235i xDrive get exclusive grey 18-inch alloys, M235i specific M Sport suspension, a rear spoiler, M Performance exhaust system, limited slip differential on the front axle and eight-speed sport automatic transmission.