After years of speculation on whether the second-generation BMW 2 Series Coupe will become a front-wheel-drive model, Munich has answered our concerns. And it is an emphatic no – rear-drive is still on the menu.
So, chalk up the 1 Series-based 2 Gran Coupe as another of BMW’s anomalies. The BMW 2 Series Coupe is keeping its classic layout – front-engine, rear-wheel drive. Not only that, but it gets some classical aesthetics too.
Iconic styling on the BMW 2 Series Coupe
Its front is adorned with a classic slim grille instead of the 4 Series’ oversized fitment. The Hofmeister Kink gets a “classical interpretation”, and its angular flared wheel arches are reminiscent of the 3.0 CSL ‘Batmobile’. Considering BMW’s controversy-riddled aesthetics, the 2 Series Coupe is an adorable love letter to long-time fans.
Though not every design aspect of the new coupe hits the mark. Its generously-sized 19-inch wheels look as though it is drowning in its inflated arches. Whereas its tiny and far apart lighting elements give it an appearance of one of an inbred pedigree. Together, these elements are awkwardly proportions, giving it a stumpy appearance from certain angles.
No doubt, BMW chose to keep its bodywork pumped in anticipation for the M Division’s take on the little coupe. However, if you aren’t interested in stumping for the full-on M version, the BMW 2 Series Coupe falls a little short of perfection.
Nevertheless, it is unlikely that its looks are going to put fans off. All things considered, if you want a small rear-wheel-drive coupe with no electrical motivation – where else are you going to go? In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
Engines and Size
Despite the rear-wheel-drive boast, the M240i range-topping variant, with the desirable 275kW/500Nm inline-six, is only available in all-wheel drive. Rear-drive fans will have to settle for the straight-four 135kW/300Nm petrol and 140kW/400Nm diesel.
As expected with every new generation, the BMW 2 Series Coupe grows. At 4537mm in length and 1939mm in width, it is 104mm longer and 64mm wider respectively. 51mm of the former is accounted for in the wheelbase, whereas the front and rear track get widened by as much as 63mm and 35mm respectively.
In a Class of its Own
Size watchers will still bemoan its growth, but as far as its place in the market goes, the second-gen coupe is in a class of its own. When it comes to the “premium players”, there isn’t anything that matches the 2 Series Coupe’s repertoire.
Not only does Mercedes-Benz’s small car range lack a proper two-door coupe, the A-Class and its derivatives are regarded as gussied-up Golf competitors. It is the same story with Audi’s A3, which really is a gussied-up Golf.
Of course, Audi does have a two-door coupe to go toe-to-toe with the 2 Series Coupe, the TT. But nobody sees the TT as a direct 2 Series Coupe competitor. More style icon than driving exemplar, the TT cannot shake off its image as a high street fashion accessory. And, if the rumours are true, Audi isn’t too keen on continuing the TT in its coupe form.
Don’t expect Jaguar or Alfa Romeo to come up with an answer either as both are reorganising themselves around electric vehicles in a desperate attempt to find relevancy. And neither are Lexus, Infiniti, and Genesis even bothering with stirring the 2 Series Coupe’s roost.
So, it is no boast to say that the BMW 2 Series Coupe is in a class of its own. Because all things considered, that is an accurate reading of its situation. Like its big flagship brother, the small coupe market is shrinking. But that isn’t to say that it is devoid of customers.
There will always be a small subset of the paying motoring enthusiast who will pray at the altar of pure and small sports cars. After all, it has kept Mazda going with its MX-5 over the last three decades.
BMW 2 Series Coupe – Keeping the Formula
To turn the 2 Series Coupe into a two-door version of the 1 Series would have been a product suicide. It would have lost its raison d’etre and left to struggle in a sea of front-driven small cars. A somewhat pointless battle at the end of a market with paper-thin margins.
BMW’s choice to carry on the rear-wheel-drive formula at considerable cost is an inspired move. Not only is the BMW 2 Series Coupe’s place in the market justified, but it gets to keep its dominion. For fans around the world, it is a comforting reminder that all is no lost at Munich. That BMW, despite all its questionable decisions, still remembers what it is good at, and what made it great.