4 Reasons Why The BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe Might Not Actually Be A Stupid Idea

According to rumours in Auto Motor und Sport, a 2-series Gran Coupe is on the way. On the face of it, this seems like another pointless niche, but upon reflection, I reckon it's not such a bad idea...

Matt Robinson

28 May 2015

4 Reasons Why The BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe Might Not Actually Be A Stupid Idea

1. The M235i is brilliant

The M235i is quite possibly our favourite car in the BMW range. It’s decently quick without threatening to put your license in jeopardy with every throttle application, it sounds great, and is a blast to drive. If another version of it came out, even if it’s a weird niche, we wouldn’t complain. Unlike the front-wheel drive 2-series Active Tourer, a niche that involves a four-door M235i is one we’ve actually got time for.

2. It'd be as small and wieldy as a 2-series, but with extra practicality

X-Tomi Design's render of the 1-series saloon is actually more like what a 2-series GC would look like — X-Tomi Design's render of the 1-series saloon is actually more like what a…

Part of what makes the 2-series so great is its diminutive size. Compared to the now quite bloated 3- and 4-series, the 2-series’ smaller dimensions make it much more manageable when you’re pressing on, and keep the weight figure down (although it’s still perhaps a little too heavy). The downside? Having only two doors hampers practicality. That extra pair would make life much easier for those who regularly carry more than one passenger, while keeping the compact size. And if the other Gran Coupe BMWs are anything to go by, it’ll have a handy hatchback boot opening.

You could argue that BMW already has the boxes the 2-series GC might tick covered by the upcoming 1-series saloon. However, this car might end up looking rather ungainly. It’s been spotted undergoing testing at the Nurburgring (see above), but even with that heavy camouflage and disguising, you get the feeling that the overall shape is going to be a little awkward. Also, it’ll likely have a similar face to the 1-series hatchback, which despite being massively improved by a recent facelift, still isn’t anywhere near as handsome at the front of the 2-series.

4. It'd be a much better car than the Mercedes CLA

Speaking of ungainly shapes, one of the 2-series GC’s chief rivals would be the Mercedes CLA. While the front end of this car is reasonably handsome, the back is rather awkward. The overall car is quite flawed, too, so the 2er GC would end up having this baby Benz comprehensively beaten.

BMW 2-series Gran Coupe rumour source: Auto Motor und Sport