TEST: BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupe: Mutation of the "M" gene

To be or not to be a coupe? That's the question BMW is now trying to answer with the 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Base price: € 57.550
Price of the test vehicle: € 68.706

The number two is one of the smallest and youngest in BMW's model range. Although it would seem logical that the 2 Series would fill the gap between the 1 and 3 Series, this was not the case at first. In fact, in early 2014, BMW preferred to use the number two to enter the then popular minivan segment with the 2 Series Active Tourer, which is now in its final stages. However, the number two was not completely deprived of the brand's sporty touch, as the Active Tourer was soon joined in the range by the 2 Series Coupe, which was joined a few years later by the 2 Series Gran Coupe - the latter of which we are testing this time.

Although the new 2 Series is noticeably different from its predecessor, it is not actually a completely new generation, but a very radical redesign. The front end, which the 2 Series Gran Coupe shares with the 1 Series, is completely new and looks quite dynamic and aggressive, but due to the elongated "kidneys" and new headlights with "snake eye" graphics, the final result represents a significant departure from the brand's other models. The rear has also been given a completely new look, which with new LED headlights and a diffuser in combination with the coupe silhouette, finished slightly lower than its predecessor, looks especially sporty and significantly more harmonious than the model before the redesign. The sporty touch of the M235 test model is also added by a smaller spoiler on the tailgate and four real exhaust pipes.

When we open the frameless glass doors, we sit in a distinctly sporty and driver-oriented interior that has undergone a thorough renovation. There is not much space in the first row of seats, which is to be expected given the low roofline in combination with the panoramic sunroof, and for a car that is primarily aimed at younger, more dynamic buyers, this is even desirable - although those taller than 190 cm will have a hard time finding a comfortable position. I, at 182 cm tall, had no problems with this, but during the test I developed a minor problem with the dashboard, which not only looks rather monotonous, but is also made of materials that have no place in a car costing just under 69 thousand euros. This mainly concerns the center console and the portion under the central screen, where hard plastic is in abundance, and on top of that, dust tends to collect there. Fortunately, the 2 Series is redeemed somewhat by the gorgeous, thick M sports steering wheel with large steering wheel-mounted gearshift paddles and the excellent M sports seats, which are optional but highly recommended, as they offer comfort on long journeys and excellent lateral support - without making it difficult to get in and out of the vehicle.

The central display, which houses BMW's latest operating system, iDrive 9.0, takes some getting used to due to the many submenus, but the fast processor unit and responsive screen, combined with a fairly logical layout, quickly become familiar to the user. Since the 2 Series Gran Coupe represents an entry into the world of BMW, the iDrive rotary wheel is also absent here, which we missed a bit during the test for some functions, such as operating the navigation system and scrolling through some menus.
In exchange for removing the iDrive wheel, the Bavarians have treated us to illuminated shortcuts on the border between the central display and the digital gauges, which are quite redundant. Why? Because due to their layout, they are completely hidden behind the steering wheel, so the driver doesn't even see them most of the time while driving. On top of that, they are reminiscent of the shortcuts from some smartphones from the beginning of the last decade.

All of these shortcomings, however, completely lose their meaning when an empty and beautifully winding road opens up in front of the driver, where the 2 Series Gran Coupe really shines – especially in the proven M235 engine. The car has an extremely reliable and at the same time sporty roadholding, which, thanks to the direct steering mechanism and all-wheel drive, swallows corners like a joke. In longer, fast turns, it practically never runs out of grip, and from sharp bends, thanks to the all-wheel drive, it launches like a rocket. BMW has once again proven itself to be masters in this area – especially considering the fact that the 2 Series is basically based on a front-wheel drive platform, which they manage to hide in the sportier M235 to such an extent that you wouldn't believe it if you didn't know. The steering mechanism is also worth praising, as it is pleasantly soft and progressive in normal driving mode (personal), and in sports mode (sport) it becomes pleasantly firmer and gains in directness, while there is enough feedback for serious dynamic driving. To eliminate any tilting during turns, the M235 Gran Coupe requires a stiff chassis, which proves to be somewhat uncomfortable for city driving or just for a relaxed trip.

The test M235 Gran Coupe was powered by BMW's familiar two-liter four-cylinder petrol engine with the internal designation B48, which this time develops 221 kW, which is around 300 "horses" in good, old units. The cavalry combined with 400 Nm of torque ensures that the M235 can reach a hundred in just 4,9 seconds, which is more than enough for the small Gran Coupe to show its teeth in almost all applications, but at the same time, in the current electrified times, it will not rotate the Earth in the other direction of rotation. Many car enthusiasts will be more interested in the fact that the four-cylinder engine emits a rather pleasant sound when it is ignited, which is also extremely pleasant when accelerating, although in sport mode a bunch of synthetic pops are also played in the cabin through the sound system, which are actually not there - this function can also be turned off in the settings. Consumption is also not excessive - the 7,6 liters of unleaded gasoline per hundred kilometers, which is stated by the manufacturer, is a completely achievable figure, although in the test, by exploiting the sporty potential, we achieved a liter higher consumption, which is a completely acceptable result, considering the car's capabilities.

Power is sent to all four wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, which proves to be a true amphibian, with smooth operation during relaxed driving and lightning-fast, sometimes even brutal, gear changes during acceleration. As with almost every dual-clutch transmission, we can criticize it for its hesitation when taking off more decisively, for example when merging into traffic. However, it is worth adding that this effect is almost eliminated – although still noticeable.

One of the main differences between the Gran Coupe and the BMW 2 Series Coupe is the extra pair of doors in the Gran Coupe – after all, this practicality will be the deciding factor for many buyers when choosing over the classic Coupe. Excess space in the second row is not to be expected due to the falling roofline – and there is none. At 182 cm tall, I had to lower my head a bit, and leg and foot space is anything but generous. Despite the extra pair of doors, the back seat is therefore mainly suitable for children. The 430-litre boot is another factor that your better half will try to convince you that the Gran Coupe is a more rational choice than the Coupe, but its opening is quite small and awkward – so your better half will only get half a point for this argument here.

For exactly the M235 Gran Coupe we tested this time, you have to pay €68.706*, which is a pretty steep price – especially considering the fact that the test car was not equipped with radar cruise control, which – to be honest – should be part of the standard equipment. During the test, due to the rather high price and the cramped rear seat, a question kept popping up in my head that I couldn’t shake – why not choose the 240i Coupe, which has two cylinders and 74 “horses” more, and for (almost) the same money? Perhaps this is a question I will return to when I am in the market for such a car myself. For now, the fact remains that from a dynamic point of view, the M235 Gran Coupe is an extremely sophisticated car, in which you will be happy to drive on a longer, more winding route than on the highway after a miserable day at work.

*The importer adds that with the purchase, the buyer also receives a free BMW Service Inclusive service package.