BMW 2 Series 220 M Sport 4dr Step Auto

Ten Second Review

The 2 Series Gran Coupe is BMW's idea of what a small, stylised premium sports saloon should be. This second generation F74 version is a little sharper-looking, a little sharper to drive and quite a lot more sophisticated inside.

Background

Small saloons don't sell well here. In fact, they don't sell at all unless they come with a premium badge. But Audi made the concept work with its conventional A3 saloon of 2013, before Mercedes developed it further, shortly after pioneering the idea of a car of this kind as a 'four-door coupe' with their CLA. Both those models progressed into second generation form and, forced to respond by creating what would be in effect a saloon version of the 1 Series Hatch, BMW followed the CLA style-conscious route with their contender, the 2 Series Gran Coupe in 2021. That first F44 design proved to be somewhat divisive in its looks and some were disappointed that it adopted the front-driven platform of the 1 Series, rather than the rear-driven format of the 2 Series Coupe. With the second generation F74 2 Series Gran Coupe we look at here, BMW hasn't changed the engineering much, but most other areas of this design have received a thorough revamp, including the styling which the Munich maker hopes is now a lot easier on the eye. Let's take a closer look.

Driving Experience

The drive dynamics here are no different to those of the 1 Series, but as with that Hatch have been lately sharpened with revised suspension and extra bracing to increase rigidity. The engine choices are the same as those of the 1 Series too, which means there aren't now many of them. The base front-driven 220 model gets much the same 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine that featured before, but it's been embellished with 48V mild hybrid tech and makes 170hp, enough to get the car to 62mph in 7.9s. The other option is the top M235 xDrive, which uses a 2.0-litre four cylinder turbo petrol unit with 300hp. This makes 62mph in 4.9s. Either way, drive is via a 7-speed auto gearbox. Diesels and other petrol units are offered in other markets, but we're unlikely to see those here. Obviously, the M235 is the version for enthusiastic drivers. It gains an extra strut in the engine compartment (which is optional on the 220), plus larger tyres and an increase in the camber offset of the front wheels to improve handling. The shock absorbers have been re-tuned to reduce body roll and the wheel slip limiter and the braking system have also been revised. In addition, sharper Sport steering and Adaptive M suspension are available on this top model, the latter lowering the car by 8mm.

Design and Build

Not everyone liked the look of the original version of this car. Even BMW now calls the styling of that earlier F44 model 'polarising'. And has tried to make this F74 replacement more widely appealing and sportier. It's certainly bigger, length stretched by 20mm to 4,546mm and the car has also gained 15mm in both height (1,435mm) and width (1,800mm). In profile, there's a new variation of the brand's signature Hofmeister kink in the rear pillar, which now features a '2' emblem. Plus the side skirts have been reprofiled, the tail lights have been redesigned and there's less blank metal surfacing. The front end has a wider, flatter grille (which can now have an illuminated surround) and the nose features thinner LED headlights. Wheel sizes vary from 17 to 19 inches. So the 2 Series Gran Coupe is quite different to its 1 Series donor model outside. The two cars share mostly everything inside up-front though, which means this F74 model gets BMW's latest cockpit for compact cars. This sees a 10.7-inch central touchscreen running the company's latest OS9 software. And a 10.25-inch driver's display, viewed through a new steering wheel with embedded physical buttons. The centre console's had to be redesigned because sadly (for cost reasons) BMW's got rid of the original model's useful lower rotary iDrive controller. Detail differences over the hatch include bespoke air vents (like those of the X3) and different positioning of the door handles and window controls. Sports seats are standard and there's fancy ambient lighting in the doors. The exterior size changes improve rear seat space a little bit, though the differences aren't great. You're better off in the back than you would be in a 1 Series hatch though. The 430-litre boot is 130-litres larger than the first generation 2 Series Gran Coupe model too.

Market and Model

Prices start at around £35,000 for the base 220 version, which comes only with 'M Sport' trim. The top M235 xDrive costs around £44,500. Either way, you get a high level of standard equipment, including the BMW Live Cockpit Plus package, which includes the cloud-based BMW Maps navigation system. Ambient lighting for the centre console and door trim panels is standard, as is a 6-speaker audio system that includes a 100W amplifier. The optional Technology pack adds wireless charging, Comfort Access, logo projection from the exterior mirrors, a frameless automatically dimming interior mirror and adaptive LED headlights. The Technology Plus Pack includes all this, plus upgrades the cabin to the BMW Live Cockpit Professional package, which gives you a HeadUp Display and BMW's Parking Assistant Plus system. Luxury options includes a panoramic glass roof and an uprated Harman Kardon hifi system which features an output of 205 watts and comprises 12 speakers, featuring illuminated logos and integrated behind stainless steel panels. A contrasting finish for the roof in high gloss black is available as an additional option. The optional M Sport Pro pack also adds extended M High gloss Shadow Line elements to the BMW Kidney Grille, plus with this pack you get an M rear spoiler and M Sport brakes with a red high gloss finish, plus (on the M235 xDrive) M Sport front seats.

Cost of Ownership

BMW isn't developing any more combustion engines but it's doing its best to improve efficiency on the fossil-fuelled units it already has. The three cylinder 48V mild hybrid petrol engine used by the 220 model is from the latest generation of BMW Group modular engines and delivers up to 53.3mpg on the combined cycle and up to 120g/km of CO2 emissions. As usual with mild hybrid tech, there's a tiny battery that stores energy from regenerative braking, which is then used to aid acceleration and run the engine stop start system. The M235 xDrive records up to 37.7mpg on the combined cycle and up to 170g/km of CO2. Across the range, efficiency is also aided by coasting and Auto Start Stop functions that take their cue from the data supplied by the navigation system, the front-mounted camera and the sensors for the optional driving assistance systems. The coasting function de-couples the powertrain from the transmission at cruising speeds. On to the warranty package. BMW's warranty only lasts for three years but it includes an Emergency breakdown service and at least it isn't mileage limited - unlike the comparable package you'd get as standard with a rival Audi. You can of course extent the warranty with either monthly or annual payments. There's a three year paintwork warranty and the usual 12 year anti-corrosion warranty.

Summary

Small saloons used to sell to quite elderly clientele, so what BMW has achieved with this 2 Series Gran Coupe model line is impressive. This car has the lowest customer age of any BMW model, a trend this sharper-looking F74 generation design should further encourage. Far-reaching as the changes are, we still can't imagine that they'd make you want a 2 Series Gran Coupe if you didn't want one already. But if Munich's idea of what a small four-door coupe should be appeals, then this car will please you even more than its slightly controversial predecessor. The styling changes are subjective, but you can't argue the merits of the much improved cabin and the extra rear seat space makes this car now easier to live with. Some will still think that the 1 Series hatch this car is based on makes more sense. But this saloon has much more pavement presence, which for the kind of person who wants a Gran Coupe will make all the difference in the world.