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BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe fills mid-range gap with 141kW 220i
BMW Australia has announced the imminent arrival of a new mid-spec variant in the 2 Series Gran Coupe line-up, the 220i, which will provide a sensible stop-gap between the three-pot 218i and potent M235i xDrive.
Power is up significantly over the 218i, with the two-litre turbocharged petrol engine in the 220i dishing out 141kW and 280Nm, 38kW and 60Nm more than the entry-level car.
The B58 in the 220i is actually identical to the current Mini Cooper S, and like that car, power will be sent to the front wheels exclusively via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox with paddle shifters.
Additional power and torque see the 220i drop its 0-100km/h time to 7.2 seconds, a whole 1.5 seconds faster than the 218i despite weighing 55kg more.
Both the 2 Series Gran Coupe and 1 Series line-up in Australia have lacked a solid mid-range – in the case of the 2 Series, there’s quite a gulf between the $49,990 ($55,022 driveaway) 218i and range-topping M235i xDrive at $72,990 ($80,126 driveaway).
That gap certainly hurt the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s chances against rivals like the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan and CLA-Class and Audi A3 sedan in the small premium four-door class.
The 220i is here to fill the gap, at $53,900 (driveaway pricing TBA), it’s only a $4,000 jump over the 218i it almost seems too good to be true, though the remaining specifications lifted from the entry-level car.
Not to say that isn’t generous – the 220i gets a head-up display, digital drivers display, a 10.25-inch touchscreen with wireless Apple CarPlay and wired Android Auto, BMW’s latest iDrive system, LED lights and a wireless charging pad.
The interior of the 220i is finished with a set of manually-adjustable cloth-appointed seats; leather can be optioned for an extra $2,000. Electric adjustment is included in the $2,300 Comfort Package, which also nets heated front seats and keyless entry.
As for active safety tech the 220i includes an automatic parking system, rear-view camera, rear cross-traffic alert, city-speed AEB and speed limit information. Adaptive cruise control is not standard but can be added in the driver assistance package for $1,231.
From the exterior, the 220i will be indistinguishable from the base model 218i – apart from the badge – sharing the same attractive 18-inch alloy wheels. It’s not what we would call a beautifully designed car, but some do fall for the 2 Series Gran Coupe’s charms.
While the M235i xDrive will still be the choice of those looking for a more engaging backroad companion, we reckon the new 220i Gran Coupe will be a real sweet spot in the range.
On that topic, we hope BMW will put this two-litre lump into a 1 Series hatch soon because that car is crying out for a mid-range rival to the Mercedes-Benz A250.
BMW Australia says cars will be arriving in the third quarter of this year and start from $53,900 (driveaway pricing TBA).
2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe pricing
218i Auto $49,990 ($55,022 driveaway)
220i Auto $53,990 (driveaway pricing TBA)
M235i xDrive Auto $72,990 ($80,126 driveaway)
BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Aussie pricing: dearer than 1 Series
BMW has confirmed Australian pricing and specification for the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe, with and equipment levels largely mirroring its sister hatchback, the 1 Series.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe was revealed in October last year and is aimed at premium compact sedan rivals; think Mercedes-Benz A-Class sedan and Audi A3.
BMW have of course slipped ‘coupe’ into the nomenclature of the 2 Series – despite the fact this model has four doors. Don’t get upset though, because we understand the next-gen two-door 2er will remain a true rear-driven sports coupe.
As the premium mid-size market seems to be stretching to SUVs for status, the compact market is rejecting hatchbacks in favour of pint-sized sedans like this.
The 2 Series Gran Coupe will arrive in the first quarter of this year with a pair of engines, mirroring the current 1 Series line-up.
The entry-level $47,990 (driveaway pricing TBA) 218i Gran Coupe is powered by a charming 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder with outputs of 103kW and 220Nm sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.
There will be a significant premium for the sedan body-style with BMW offering the 118i at the more affordable price of $42,990 ($47,807 driveaway).
Standard equipment is broadly similar; the 218i gets a head-up display, 10.25-inch touchscreen, digital dashboard, wireless Apple CarPlay, wireless smartphone charging, LED headlights and M Sport package with 18-inch alloy wheels
BMW’s new UKL2 platform does support high-speed AEB, however, the 218i makes do with only city-speed AEB, a rear-view camera, parking sensors, auto-park and rear cross-traffic alert.
The range-topping M235i Gran Coupe offers more generous specification, but then you’d expect that at $69,990 (driveaway pricing TBA). Some bigger M Sport brakes, 19-inch wheels and a rear spoiler are the giveaways from the outside, the M235i gains keyless entry, leather-appointed seats with electric adjustment and a Harman/Kardon premium sound system.
Naturally, the M235i Gran Coupe packs more punch, with 220kW and 450Nm, more than double that of the 218i. That means all-wheel drive is standard too, though it’s a front-biased system and our experience has shown it to be reluctant to shuffle power.
Those power outputs and that all-wheel drive system are good for a 0-100km/h sprint of 4.9 seconds for the M235i. Impressive stuff.
Styling is certainly a point of contention with the 2 Series Gran Coupe, in photos, it looks awkward and busy, perhaps it’s a design that will grow on us over time.
It’s likely the interior be laid out perfectly, BMW isn’t on the cutting edge of cabin design like Audi and Mercedes but the latest iterations just work and demonstrate high quality.
BMW says the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be landing in Australia soon, stay tuned for our full-length road test when it does.
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