A new prototype of BMW’s upcoming 2 Series Gran Coupé offers the clearest look yet at the four-door Mercedes-Benz CLA rival’s exterior styling.  Spotted carrying out advanced road testing ahead of its November debut, the development model sports less camouflage than any yet seen, with a QR code and web address hinting at an imminent publicity campaign for the new car.  Details like black alloy wheels, large brake discs, aggressively styled bumpers and prominent rear lip spoiler suggest that this is the range-topping M Sport variant, likely powered by the same 302bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder twin-turbocharged unit as the new M135i hot hatch, with which it shares a front-wheel drive platform. These photos closely match previous spy images of the car, suggesting that development is reaching the final stages before launch. The need to accommodate two conventional front-hinged rear doors and sufficient rear seat leg room is said to be behind the decision to give the new car a wheelbase that’s halfway between the 2690mm span of the 2 Series Coupé and the 2810mm of the 3 Series saloon. Inside, the 2 Series Gran Coupé will sport a new interior layout that’s also set to be adopted by the successors to today’s 2 Series Coupé and 2 Series Convertible, which are due in 2020. The turbocharged three-cylinder and four-cylinder engines for the 2 Series Gran Coupé will mirror those of the existing pair. On the petrol side, expect a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder unit in the 218i, 181bhp and 242bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder units in the 220i and 225i, as well as the M235i’s more potent unit. Among the diesels will be 148bhp, 187bhp and 221bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder units in the 218d, 220d and 225d respectively. Like its two-door siblings, the 2 Series Gran Coupé will offer a choice of a standard six-speed manual or optional eight-speed torque-converter automatic gearbox, as well as optional xDrive four-wheel drive. However, the latter will be offered in combination with only a limited range of engines. The highlight of the new line-up, though, will be the M2 Gran Coupé. This model will use the same 365bhp turbocharged 3.0-litre in-line six-cylinder engine as its highly lauded two-door sibling. It will be offered with a standard six-speed manual or seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. Although it’s still early days, the S55B30-designated engine is expected to provide the M2 Gran Coupé with similar performance to the M2, which has an official 0-62mph time of 4.4sec in manual form and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. The 2 Series Gran Coupé will be produced alongside the 2 Series Coupé and 2 Series Convertible at BMW’s plant in Leipzig, Germany. A plug-in hybrid model is also mooted. This is expected to use BMW’s turbocharged 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine and an electric motor mounted within the forward section of a standard eight-speed automatic gearbox. In combination with a lithium ion battery pack positioned within the floor of the boot, this is intended to provide the 225e with an electric-only driving range of up to 31 miles. The four-door coupé will have its world debut at this year’s Los Angeles motor show before going on sale in early
Origin: New BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe spotted in range-topping M Sport trim