The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe was launched in India last year, becoming the new entry point to the BMW range. The 2 Series GC also brought with it a front-wheel-drive BMW platform that it also shares with the Mini Cooper range and its 1 Series siblings internationally. BMW now doesn’t want its 2 Series clientele to miss out on fun rear-wheel-drive (RWD) dynamics, and hence has decided to stick to an RWD set-up for the new generation 2 Series Coupe.
RWD won’t be the only USP of the new generation 2 Series Coupe. Alongside the 2-litre turbo-petrol and diesel models, there will also be the range topping M240i with a 3-litre in-line six-cylinder turbo-petrol engine from the M340i, a sports sedan that we absolutely love at evo India. Watch our ed take the M340i sideways here. BMW has also confirmed the power output of the M240i, which is rated at 369bhp and 500Nm of torque. This will be channeled to all four wheels through the staple 8-speed automatic and a heavily rear-biased xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
A lot of development has gone into the body and chassis as well. BMW says weight distribution is nearly 50:50 while torsional stiffness is now up by 12 per cent. That said, it has wider tracks at the front and the rear to make it corner more effectively by reducing wheel load fluctuations. Adaptive M Chassis will be offered as an option internationally that brings adaptive dampers to the equation.
Lastly there has also been plenty of aerodynamic tinkering that has gone into the design. Many body components have been optimised for better downforce including the front spoiler lip, front splitter, air curtains, rear axle cover and the contours of the underbody struts. Together, this results in 50 per cent reduction of the front axle lift compared to its predecessor. Although the camo doesn’t really reveal design details, it seems as though BMW has opted for smaller and sleeker units of headlamps and taillamps on the new 2 Series.
With the BMW 2 Series Coupe now packing the brand’s hallmark ingredients, it’s likely to be a more forgiving and friendlier driver's car compared to the 3 Series thanks to its compact dimensions and a kerb weight that’s bound to be lesser than that of the 3. The RWD layout will most likely be carried on to the four-door Gran Coupe version as well. Whether it will make it to our shores or not remains to be seen. Anyway, we now can bid adieu to understeer in the newer 2 Series models.