DRIVEN – THE NEW BMW 2 SERIES COUPE

The new BMW 2 Series Coupé was recently launched in Cape Town and Automotive Refinisher were fortunate enough to sample all three derivatives along the Cape’s East Coast winelands and West Coast fishing villages.

The three additions available in South Africa are the BMW 2 Series 220i, 220d and a lively M240i xDrive – definitely the most desirable of the BMW range. Distinctive new chiselled looks with slightly flared wheel arches give the new 2 Series Coupé it’s edgy high performance appeal.

We wasted no time getting our hands behind the wheel of the top-of-the-range M240i xDrive for our first drive along the world-famous Clarence Drive (Gordon’s Bay) coastal road, and into the winelands of Hermanus. Power delivery from the M240i’s 3.0-litre straight six twin turbo petrol plant is brutal, which produces 285kW and 500Nm,  and is quoted by the manufacturer to reach a 0-100km/h sprint time of 4.3 seconds!

Power is transferred through BMW’s eight speed Steptronic transmission and delivered to the wheels via their rear-based xDrive. This is coupled together with BMW’s Adaptive M suspension and M Sport rear differential and finished off with a glorious set of 19-inch alloy wheels. Thanks to these additions and (a slightly longer, 51mm, and wider 64mm, lower centre of gravity 28mm and 50:50 weight balance), it seemed no matter how hard you bury your foot in the M240i, it feels planted through the corners and never unsettled.  Thanks to the wider stance the new 2 Series Coupé range feels much bigger than they are with smooth precise steering.

Next in line was BMW’s 220i which took us to our overnight stay at the Bay hotel in Camp’s Bay. Both the BMW 220i and 220d are powered by BMW’s four cylinder 2.0 litre twin turbo powerplants, and unlike the M240i all-wheel drive, they are rear wheel driven.  The 2.0 litre petrol unit offers 135kW and 300Nm while the diesel variant offers up 140kW and 400Nm. Both vehicles are highly attainable thanks to their competitive pricing – and are more likely to be the top sellers – thanks to the super sporty performance and power that they both possess.

Inside you will find two new leather sports bucket seats styled around the driver and passenger, accompanied by a leather M sports steering with paddles. The soft touch interior of the 2 series has the premium sophisticated BMW appeal that we have come to know from the manufacturer, with soft-touch finishes and user-friendly Apple Play integration on the large centre concole touchscreen. Thanks to the larger proportions there is also more space in the cabin and boot.

The second day of the launch saw us take the 220d up the West Coast towards Paternoster, which gave one the opportunity to see just how easy the new 2 Series Coupé would be to live with. The entire range seemed to make long distances feel shorter (understandably in the M240i of course). The overall package has the best of both worlds. Whether it’s the comfort of a daily drive or the speed agility  of a sprinter,  the new 2 Series BMW Coupé has the personality for you.

 By Jay Groat