BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Loses The One Thing It Had Going For It

Patent images of the facelifted BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe have leaked, giving us our first look at the updated compact luxury sedan. Previewed by Dutch publication Autoweek via Instagram, the upcoming Gran Coupe will borrow styling elements from its hatchback sibling, the F70 1 Series. When the 1er hatch launched, we felt it looked very Kia-like, and with the addition of a trunk, we can’t help but be reminded of the old Kia Forte Koup.

While still recognizable as a 2 Series GC, the sedan receives multiple revisions that improve the controversial looks. For a start, the front end receives slimmer headlights, a more aggressive air dam, and additional vents on the bumper. The grille will also sport the unusual diagonal lines that debuted on the 1 Series and, more recently, the all-new X3 SUV.

First Impressions Are Promising

Overall, the front end looks much better than before, albeit with far less of a distinct BMW flavor. While it’s far from ugly, it’s also a somewhat generic-looking car. That being said, we’ll reserve final judgments for the final product. We can see that BMW has gone for flush-fitting door handles along the sides of the 2 Series GC. Not only does this look sleeker, but it allows the Bimmer to cut through the air more cleanly, improving efficiency.

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Interestingly, this is only shown on the side images, with the door handles visible from the front and rear views. It’s worth noting the 1 Series has conventional door handles, so perhaps BMW will use flush-fitting handles to distinguish the two cars. Unfortunately, the wheels have been omitted, so we can’t tell if there are new designs. However, we expect the new 2 Series GC wheel choices to mirror those available on the 1 Series hatch; spy shots indicate the 2 Series GC will gain new wheel designs.

Rear Fascia Looks Much Better Than Before

The most significant improvements have been made to the rear end. For a start, the blue and white roundel has been repositioned higher up on the tailgate, creating a cleaner and classier look. This will allow the license plate to be placed higher up rather than in the awkward position used on current models. The taillights have also been redesigned, borrowing elements from its high-riding X2 sibling.

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New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Spied On American Roads

The 2 Series Gran Coupe and its sporty M235i sibling were spotted in California.

There’s no word yet on when BMW will reveal the 2 Series Gran Coupe, but we expect it to be unveiled officially before year-end. The interior will likely mirror the 1 Series, and so will the engine options. We expect US-spec models to be available in 228 and M235 guises. Both use a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine, with the latter producing 296 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. With this engine, the M135 can hit 60 mph in 4.9 seconds and reach a top speed of 155mph. Finally, we anticipate the 2 Series GC will be the latest BMW to drop the ‘i’ suffix and will be marketed as the 228 Gran Coupe and M235 Gran Coupe when it eventually debuts.