The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe arrives – now the Mercedes CLA has a rival

The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe arrives as BMW extends the 2 Series range to deliver a smaller Gran Coupe to take the fight to the Mercedes CLA.

BMW managed to deliver the coupe SUV before anyone else had even thought it should be a ‘thing’ (as many still do), but they’ve been very slow to embrace the four-door swoopy coupe.

True, we have had the 6 Series Gran Coupe for a while – and that’s now effectively been replaced by the glorious-looking BMW 8 Series Gran Coupe – but nothing to take the fight at the bottom end of the range to Mercedes. Until now.

Now we get the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, a new addition to the slightly confusing 1 and 2 Series ranges, effectively a 1 Series Hatch with a stretched back end and extra pair of doors.

It’s not quite 8 Series Gran Coupe good-looking, it’s a bit dumpier than that on this smaller scale, but it’s still a good-looking thing and certainly as appealing as a Mercedes CLA.

At the top end you can have the 2 Series M235i Gran Coupe, with the same engine as the M135i, delivering 302bhp from the 2.0 litre turbo, good for 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds and with four-wheel drive, or at the other end of the scale there’s the FWD 218i Gran Coupe with the 1.5 litre three-pot from MINI good for 136bhp. If you want an oil-burner there’s the 220d Gran Coupe offering 187bhp and the promise of 62.8mpg.

Inside it’s the same as the 1 Series Hatch but with extra room in the back, said to fit actual adults, ambient lighting, Climate and BMW iDrive with 8.8″ infotainment screen and plenty of options to empty your pockets.

Arriving in the UK next spring, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe kicks off at £25,818 for the 218i, rising to £37,255 for the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe.