Top six things about the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe that truly matter
21 Feb 2020|9,692 views
Mercedes-Benz has had the premium compact four-door coupe segment all to itself since 2013 when it launched the successful and rather appealing CLA Coupe. But that's about to end.
A new competitor is about to arrive in Singapore - one that will stop Mercedes' dominance in this segment and potentially spell trouble for the brand. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the Bavarian carmaker's latest take on a premium compact four-door coupe. Here are six things about the new BMW model that truly matter.
1. It's the most affordable BMW sedan
The all new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe - in its 218i guise - will be the brand's most affordable sedan when it arrives on our shores on 22 February 2020. Expected to cost approximately $160,888 (as of press time), the new BMW model will cost $20,000 lesser than the current second generation Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe.
In fact, with its competitive pricing, the new BMW model will be even more affordable than the recently launched Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon, which puts it in a good position for young families and extroverted buyers to consider.
2. It's a front-wheel driven car
Unlike any other sedans and gran coupes in BMW's product lineup, power is sent to the front wheels of the 2 Series Gran Coupe (and all four wheels for the M235i). That's because the car is based on the same UKL2 platform as the 1 Series as well as the X1. But is it any boring? Not really.
During our time with the car in Lisbon, Portugal, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is anything but boring. Both models - the 218i and the M235i - were put through their paces, and we're glad and relieved to report that the car is a hoot to pilot.
3. Exclusive front grille
Being a first-ever model for the brand also comes with a specific attention to detail that separates the 2 Series Gran Coupe from the rest of the models in BMW's stable without being completely alienated.
One such example is the contoured kidney grille that's exclusive to the car. While its shaped differently from the rest of its stablemates, designer of the 2 Series Gran Coupe, Anne Forschner, said it was crucial that the grille was still instantly recognisable as a BMW. By the looks of it, it's instantly recognisable, indeed.
4. Taillights do not run across the rear for good reasons
The 2 Series Gran Coupe gets new stretched out taillights, as well as newly formed audacious lines and a black band that run across the back - allowing the car to possess a powerfully planted stance on the road.
However, when asked why the horizontal black band was there instead of having the taillights run across the rear like the BMW 7 Series, Anne Forschner said that such a design was only considered for higher end cars in BMW's lineup, which signified status and sophistication.
The new BMW, on the other hand, is designed precisely for its target audience - trendsetting and powerful.
5. Frameless doors make way for a lower roof
Not only do the frameless doors complement the elegant and bold lines of the 2 Series Gran Coupe and underline the sporty character of the car, they also make way for a slightly lower roofline, which gives the car a nicer stance.
According to Anne Forschner, not only did she consider the BMW 1 Series Hatchback's design (since it's the closest to the 2 Series) the BMW 8 Series as well as the BMW Z4's sloping rooflines were also used as references when she designed the car. This allowed her to maximise the car's design potential.
6. You can talk to the car... and it'll reply you!
Like the BMW 3 Series Sedan, the new 2 Series Gran Coupe will be equipped with the Intelligent Personal Assistant as standard. This means you can start a conversation with the car by saying with "Hey BMW". This ranges anything from adjusting the air-con, checking your engine oil levels or even locating the nearest Starbucks. Hell, you could even get the car to send a text message to a friend if you need to.
More importantly, while such a feature isn't uncommon in other carmakers, BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant differentiates itself from others by reacting well to your inputs, even with a typical Singaporean accent!
Mercedes-Benz has had the premium compact four-door coupe segment all to itself since 2013 when it launched the successful and rather appealing CLA Coupe. But that's about to end.
A new competitor is about to arrive in Singapore - one that will stop Mercedes' dominance in this segment and potentially spell trouble for the brand. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is the Bavarian carmaker's latest take on a premium compact four-door coupe. Here are six things about the new BMW model that truly matter.
1. It's the most affordable BMW sedan
The all new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe - in its 218i guise - will be the brand's most affordable sedan when it arrives on our shores on 22 February 2020. Expected to cost approximately $160,888 (as of press time), the new BMW model will cost $20,000 lesser than the current second generation Mercedes-Benz CLA Coupe.
In fact, with its competitive pricing, the new BMW model will be even more affordable than the recently launched Mercedes-Benz A-Class Saloon, which puts it in a good position for young families and extroverted buyers to consider.
2. It's a front-wheel driven car
Unlike any other sedans and gran coupes in BMW's product lineup, power is sent to the front wheels of the 2 Series Gran Coupe (and all four wheels for the M235i). That's because the car is based on the same UKL2 platform as the 1 Series as well as the X1. But is it any boring? Not really.
During our time with the car in Lisbon, Portugal, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is anything but boring. Both models - the 218i and the M235i - were put through their paces, and we're glad and relieved to report that the car is a hoot to pilot.
3. Exclusive front grille
Being a first-ever model for the brand also comes with a specific attention to detail that separates the 2 Series Gran Coupe from the rest of the models in BMW's stable without being completely alienated.
One such example is the contoured kidney grille that's exclusive to the car. While its shaped differently from the rest of its stablemates, designer of the 2 Series Gran Coupe, Anne Forschner, said it was crucial that the grille was still instantly recognisable as a BMW. By the looks of it, it's instantly recognisable, indeed.
4. Taillights do not run across the rear for good reasons
The 2 Series Gran Coupe gets new stretched out taillights, as well as newly formed audacious lines and a black band that run across the back - allowing the car to possess a powerfully planted stance on the road.
However, when asked why the horizontal black band was there instead of having the taillights run across the rear like the BMW 7 Series, Anne Forschner said that such a design was only considered for higher end cars in BMW's lineup, which signified status and sophistication.
The new BMW, on the other hand, is designed precisely for its target audience - trendsetting and powerful.
5. Frameless doors make way for a lower roof
Not only do the frameless doors complement the elegant and bold lines of the 2 Series Gran Coupe and underline the sporty character of the car, they also make way for a slightly lower roofline, which gives the car a nicer stance.
According to Anne Forschner, not only did she consider the BMW 1 Series Hatchback's design (since it's the closest to the 2 Series) the BMW 8 Series as well as the BMW Z4's sloping rooflines were also used as references when she designed the car. This allowed her to maximise the car's design potential.
6. You can talk to the car... and it'll reply you!
Like the BMW 3 Series Sedan, the new 2 Series Gran Coupe will be equipped with the Intelligent Personal Assistant as standard. This means you can start a conversation with the car by saying with "Hey BMW". This ranges anything from adjusting the air-con, checking your engine oil levels or even locating the nearest Starbucks. Hell, you could even get the car to send a text message to a friend if you need to.
More importantly, while such a feature isn't uncommon in other carmakers, BMW's Intelligent Personal Assistant differentiates itself from others by reacting well to your inputs, even with a typical Singaporean accent!
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