The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has just been teased and it is looking good. Introduced as a challenger to the Mercedes Benz CLA and Audi A3, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will be BMW’s first entry-level luxury sedan in the Indian market and will shortly be available at your nearest showroom.
Over the past few years, the Bavarian automaker has considered some pretty serious options to add to its entry lineup in India, but their analytics and research showed unfavourable outcomes on a lot of parameters. A long-wheelbase version of their 1 Series sedan, which is produced right next door in China, was first considered for an Indian launch but the idea was scrapped for the fore-mentioned reason. Had the company felt encouraged to bring in the one series, they could’ve quickly done brought it as a completely knocked down car and assembled it here, at a gracious financial advantage.
Design and Styling
The images that have been released show a beautifully crafted front with purposeful lines that travel across the sides to the back where they meet at the boot. The front facia has boldly defined surfaces that beautifully merge in and out of the signature BMW twin-kidney grilles. The car has a very forward and progressive stance with an upswept rear that is just as dynamic as the front. Headlights will get illuminated hexagonal path LEDs that aim to add a more structured appeal to the dual twin ballasts on either side. Dual-tone alloys add a sleek and premium finish to the package. The rear end is highlighted by LED swept end tail lamps and an aggressively styled bumper with dual exhausts at both corners peeking out from under.
Interiors are expected to be surprisingly spacious with luxurious upholstery available in customizable options of fabric and thread colour combinations. A BMW next-gen dashboard will serve the purpose of the mantle and will be adorned with a plethora of futuristic features. A ten-inch touchscreen interactive panel will be the crown jewel placed bang in the centre of the dashboard, with chrome accents raising the premium bar as high as they go. Gearshift stick will be adopted from the latest 1 series from the company’s entry-level lineup. The company claims space and comfort enough to make four six-feet-over passengers feel right at home inside the cabin with ample leg space and headroom on the front due to the positioning of the seats with respect to the slope of the roof. Headroom for rear passengers, if on the taller side, might be slightly uncomfortable.
The M sport version will get the signature M steering wheel and brushed metallic inserts on the dashboard and all around the various latches and niches in the interior.
Powertrain and Stability
Though the M2 test vehicle had its engine placed longitudinally on the chassis that powered its rear wheels, the 2 Series Gran Coupe will have power transmission towards the front. The company says that though front-driven, the 2 Series would not fail to thrill and surprise.
The car also gets an exclusively crafted front suspension that tackles understeering caused by pushing the power capabilities while turning. The electronic stability control makes sure that the gracious torque output doesn’t cause wheel slips to happen. The engine control unit has been designed and programmed to function at thrice the speed to make split-second calculations and sustain the drive and handling quality. The front axle will also come equipped with an electronic differential locking system that will enable braking or retarding the speed of the front wheel spin. This helps the car achieve better traction while coming out of tight curves, and a more stable, balanced steering command. It gets a new UKL2 platform that is shared by the likes of Mini Countryman and the latest 1 series by the same manufacturer.
Power comes from the same 2.0-litre diesel that drives other BMWs like the X1 and the 3 series sedan though the 2 series will also get between a 140 hp 218d variant and a 190hp 220d one. The petrol variant comes from the likes of the X1 and the three-cylinder 218i. BMW has also given thought to putting up engine assembly here in India. Their turbocharged 1.5-litre petrol motor packs a solid offence and could be the key to powering multiple models ranging from the 2 series gran coupe to the X1 and the new generation 3 series.
Estimated Price
The Gran coupe can expect a price tag of INR 35 lakh and above, going all the way up to INR 47 lakh for the performance-oriented variant with a bigger powertrain and added features for sports and luxury. What the car will aim to do is fill the gap between generic luxury and performance cars of non-German origin and the high priced entry into the BMW sedan segment.
