That steady beat you hear is BMW’s ongoing introduction of revamped models for 2020. The latest is the 2 Series Gran Coupe that will make its debut at AutoMobility LA, part of the Los Angeles International Auto Show, next month.
The new compact sports sedan is the entry point for BMW ownership. The new iterations come at the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe and the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe. Production starts in January 2020 with the launch coming two months later in March, the company noted.
The new models stick to the traditional BMW script of offering plenty of performance while ensuring the driver is swathed in plenty of comfort and luxury and enjoys the benefits of the latest technology.
(BMW Expands M8 Line-up with 2020 Gran Coupe and Gran Coupe Competition)
The BMW 228i xDrive model is powered by the 2.0-liter four-cylinder version of BMW’s B modular engine family, delivering an output of 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. Torque is transferred through the standard 8-speed Sport transmission.
The pairing results in a 0 to 60 mph of just 6.0 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 130 mph when the vehicle is equipped with all-season tires and 151 mph when equipped with performance tires, the company confirmed.
Meanwhile the new M235i boasts a tuned version of the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder modular engine delivering 301 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque. This combination pushes the car from stop to 60 mph in just 4.7 seconds, or 4.6 seconds with the optional M Performance Package’s overboost function, and hits a top speed of 155 mph when equipped with performance tires.
Power without control is just a problem waiting to happen. Fortunately, the newest Bavarian exports to the world have that situation in hand. The 2 Series Gran Coupe borrow technology used on the battery-electric i3 to enhance control. The near-actuator wheel slip limitation, or ARB, helps improve traction in corners or while accelerating in slippery conditions.
The set up of the system allows for the information about road conditions to be relayed three times faster. It works in concert with the car’s dynamic stability control (DSC) to reduce understeer without input from the DSC.
ARB is assisted in its task by a yaw distribution system called BMW Performance Control. Standard on the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, this feature increases agility by intelligently applying the brakes at the wheels on the inside of the bend before the wheel spin occurs. This suppresses any initial understeer and gives the car a neutral steering behavior. Drivers can deactivate the DSC system if they wish to take over full control of the car’s sporty handling abilities.
Strange, no mention that it’s a re-badged Mini or it’s all wheel drive on a front wheel drive set-up. If I had a dollar for each Lincoln review that didn’t mention it was ‘based’ on a Ford XYZ, I’d still be waiting for my first dollar. Check for similar treatment for Caddy, Lexus, Acura, Infinity, …