Official spy shots of BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe released

KUALA LUMPUR: The German automaker, BMW is on a mission to expand its small car lineup beyond the popular 3 and 5 Series. At the beginning of the year, BMW showed the all-new 1 Series that has switched to front-wheel drive, and now we see yet another entry-level expansion attempt from the brand in the form of the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

We are seeing the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe in bits and pieces since the last year, and it definitely adopts an altogether different approach from the small BMWs of the past. The German automaker has released the official spy shots of the car that now gives in-depth details about the vehicle. Also, like the BMW 1 Series, the all-new 2 Series will come with front-wheel drive too.

On the design part, the 2 Series Gran Coupe shares similar looks to its hatch counterpart, at the front. The images show the car with large, upswept headlamps as seen on the hatchback, along with big-wide kidney grille used by BMW these days. It is an M Sport model with a large M Sport brake that displays the car’s performance intention and aggressive and angular bumpers on both ends. It, however, appears sleeker than the BMW 1 Series, thanks to the windshield.

The car gets a more rakish windshield and a lower roofline. It is more extended than the hatchback, and the tail ends forms a smooth flowing design. Since it is a coupe, following the theme the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe features pillarless doors like the one seen on the 4 Series Gran Coupe. The rear gets 8 Series inspired slim and L-shaped taillights.

On the specification front, the automaker has not revealed anything yet; however, its website shows the car as M235i xDrive. If by any chance it is based on the M135i xDrive, i.e., range-topping 1 Series, we are hoping for 306 PS and 405 Nm from the 2.0-litre mill. The engine is paired to an 8-speed automatic gearbox than sends power to all four wheels.

For the rest of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe range, we are hoping it to be similar, if not mirroring, the 1 Series. Thus we are looking at two petrol and three turbodiesel mills. Apart from the above mentioned 2.0-litre engine, there can be a 140 PS 1.5-litre 3-cylinder unit. On the diesel front, it might have 120 d making 190 PS, 116d with 116 PS, and 118 d offering 150 PS.