BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Swoopy, coupé-like looks for new four-door model to take on Mercedes-benz CLA

Mercedes-benz CLA rival goes big on style at the expense of some practicality On sale March Price from £25,855

YOU CAN THINK of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé as the 1 Series hatchback’s attractive cousin. The two cars are extremely closely related and differ only really in looks and the space on offer in the rear and in the boot.

Under the skin, the only notable change is a slightly softer suspension tuning, to cater for the North American and Asian markets where the 1 Series isn’t offered. The difference in ride quality, though, is slight, which means the 2 Series Gran Coupé offers a firm but very well-controlled ride that always stays on the right side of comfortable. It helps to make the car very stable on the motorway, too.

It handles with the same precision as the 1 Series, with excellent body control and alert, direct steering. It has also inherited a measured, precise feel, which makes the 2 Series Gran Coupé a more entertaining car on a twisty road than the Mercedes-benz CLA, this car’s closest rival.

A choice of three engines will be available at launch, starting with a 138bhp 218i petrol and topping out with the 302bhp four-wheel-drive M235i. Between them is the 220d diesel, which is strong, quiet on the motorway and frugal. Most buyers will opt for the 218i, though.

The interior up front is identical to that of the 1 Series, with high-quality materials, a durable feel and an excellent infotainment system made up of a touchscreen and rotary dial controller. It’s also worth pointing out that Apple Carplay now comes with a lifetime subscription and Android Auto will arrive in June with an impressivesounding integration that uses the infotainment screen, driver display and head-up unit.

The downside of the sleek exterior is that the rear seats aren’t comfortable for adults. Leg room is as generous as it is in the 1 Series, but adults sitting up straight will have to wedge their head against the roof. The boot actually has a slightly larger capacity than that of the 1 Series, but a narrower opening limits its proper load-hauling ability.

Generously equipped Sport and M Sport trims are offered, with prices that undercut the CLA’S across the line-up. Overall, then, this doesn’t feel like a cynical move to cash in on some different global car markets; it’s a good car in its own right.