2 B OR NOT 2 B?(some text hidden)

By Jonathan Crouch

Ten Second Review word count: 50

The 2 Series Coupe was a car BMW couldn't afford to compromise with the front wheel drive system it fits to its other compact models - and to other 2 Series variants. So instead, we've a stand-alone design that continues the great tradition of the Munich maker's smaller sporting cars.

Background word count: 121

Few people had a bad thing to say about the first generation 'F22'-era BMW 2 Series Coupe, a pure bred rear-driven sports two-door launched in 2014, then updated three years later. For its successor, the Munich maker never seriously considered the front wheel drive set-up used on the supposedly sporty 2 Series Gran Coupe four-door model. Instead, this second generation 'G42' 2 Series Coupe was developed alongside the brand's current Z4 roadster and is based on the same rear-driven platform as that used by larger 3 and 4 Series models. What's been produced as a result is a proper small sporting BMW. Of the kind you might have thought this brand had lost interest in making. Not a bit of it.

Driving Experience word count: 216

Amongst driving enthusiasts, this second generation 2 Series Coupe will vie with Toyota's GR86 for the title of most rewarding small sports coupe. Choose this BMW and you certainly get a lot more engine options, all mated to 8-speed auto transmission. There's a 2.0-litre turbo petrol powerplant, available with either 184hp (in the 220i) or 258hp (in the 230i). Beyond that lies the six cylinder M240i, which offers 374hp (34hp more than its predecessor) and can only be had in xDrive form. At the top of the range is a flagship M2 variant will follow with an even more powerful 'S58' version of that 3.0-litre straight six twin turbo engine - putting out 460hp; and the option of a manual gearbox if you want it. With all 2 Series Coupe models, under the skin, much is shared with the current Z4 roadster, including a CLAR (Cluster Architecture) platform that's up to 40% stiffer than that of the old model. BMW claims that steering precision and body control are vastly improved as a result, aided by near-perfect 50:50 weight distribution. All variants come only with an 8-speed Steptronic Sport automatic gearbox with paddleshifters and launch control that incorporates a Sprint mode for short-term acceleration boost. Adaptive M suspension is optional. And there's a powerful lightweight braking system.