BMW’s claims about the 2 Series Coupé being a more practical car than the 1 Series are founded in some undeniable hard data. At 4432mm long, the 2 Series is 72mm longer than the 1 Series Coupé and 108mm longer than the 1 Series hatchback.
Not so long ago a 3 Series coupé was this long, and while the current 3 Series saloon has stretched to more than 4.6m, it still gives you an idea of this car’s positioning. The 1 Series Coupé was strictly a compact two-door; the 2 Series is a distinctly more accommodating proposition.
It’s also a relatively conventional BMW one. You’ll know the familiar layout; there’s a longitudinally mounted engine in the front, driving the rear wheels here through a six-speed manual gearbox. Suspension is by MacPherson struts up front, with a multi-link set-up at the back.
As with most BMWs, a wide range of engines is offered. The economy-concious can opt for a 218d, 220d or 225d, each with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel; on the petrol front there's a 218i 1.5-litre three-cylinder, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder 220i and 228i, and also a six-pot 3.0 which powers the BMW M240i and M2.
Specified in basic form, your 2 Series comes with passive springs and dampers and an electrically assisted steering set-up that uses the Servotronic system – which means the level of assistance alters as speeds change.
However, as is typical, that’s not all you can choose. You can also specify Variable Sport Steering, which brings with it a rack that is quicker well off the straight-ahead than it is near a straight line. Ergo, there’s less wheel twiddling for corners and greater stability on motorways.
