BMW 2 Series Gran CoupeDerek McNaughton / Driving What is it?An alternative to the classic sedan, the Gran Coupe blends the sexier styling of a coupe with the practicality of the sedan. Mostly seen in more expensive BMW models, the 2 Series Gran Coupe is a first in the premium compact segment.Why does it matter?Lets face it, sedans are a bit like dad jokes and the children of aging boomers, just hitting the sweet spot of buying new cars, will groan at the idea of a sedan. The 2 Series Gran Coupe brings better styling while still acting as a functional family hauler that could be a gateway car for the brand, especially in urban areas.Check out all of our latest auto show coverage hereThe 2 Series Gran Coupe will be offered as a 228i and M235i, both of which will have BMWs xDrive all-wheel-drive system as standard equipment. The 228i gets a 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder with 228 horsepower and 258 lb.-ft. of torque, pushed through an eight-speed automatic transmission and BMWs xDrive all-wheel-drive system, while the M235i brings 302 horsepower and 332 lb.-ft. of torque, also through a 2.0-litre and eight-speed automatic transmission. Also standard is full-LED headlights, alloy wheels, a digital instrument cluster, and a 10.25-inch high-resolution central display. When is it coming?Its coming to Canada in mid-March 2020, with pricing announced closer to the launch date.Should you buy it?Considering the 2 Series Gran Coupe is almost the same size as a 3 Series, and yet still gets 450 litres of cargo space, its almost a 3 Series for less money ideal for a family of four that wants a premium car thats not as boring as dads BMW
Origin: BMW adds an extra set of doors to the 2 Series
Extra
Ionity to expand EV fast charger network at Extra services
EV charging network Ionity, backed by BMW, Daimler, Ford and the VW Group, has partnered with Extra MSA Group to expand its network of fast chargers at motorway service stations across the UK. Up to six 350kW fast chargers will be installed at eight Extra’s motorway service areas, starting this year with the company’s £60m Skelton Lake, Leeds facility on the M1 motorway. The scheme will later take in Extra’s services at Cobham, Cambridge, Beaconsfield, Cullompton, Blackburn, Baldock and Peterborough. Ionity says its 350kW fast chargers, first deployed in the UK last month in Kent, are capable of charging vehicles in less than 20 minutes, although no mass production EV is yet capable of charging at this speed. Audi’s new E-tron electric SUV is currently the fastest charging EV on the market, at 150kW. The new Porsche Taycan, launching next year, will be the first production electric car capable of a 350kW charge rate. The company said: “Due to their 350kW capacity and the strategic positioning of its stations, Ionity’s network will make EV travel across the UK and Europe a truly hassle-free experience.” The network aims to have opened 40 fast charging stations across the UK and 2400 charging points across Europe by the end of 2020. Recently, Tesla unveiled a new generation of its Supercharger EV charging point, promising charge rates of 1000 miles or range per hour, and 75 miles in five minutes. The highest-speed superchargers will only be compatible with certain versions of the Tesla Model 3. BP Chargemaster, the UK’s biggest provider of EV infrastructure, is planning to install 400 points capable of ultra-fast 150kW charging (the current maximum speed) across the UK by
Origin: Ionity to expand EV fast charger network at Extra services
All about car 