BMW has finally taken the wraps off the new 2020 2 Series Gran Coupe. Munich’s response to the Mercedes-Benz CLA will be built in Leipzig, but most importantly, it will also find its way to the U.S. as BMW’s entry-level model, alongside the 2 Series Coupe. The Gran Coupe, however, will be offered in two iterations, both based on an all-wheel-drive layout.

BMW introduced the Gran Coupe name for the first time in 2012. That’s when the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe was born. Since then, the nameplate has found its way on the BMW 4 Series , 8 Series, and most recently, the 2 Series.One’s the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe, while the other is the range-topping M235i xDrive Gran Coupe.

The BMW 2 Series 228i xDrive gets a 2.0-liter four-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine that cranks out 228 horsepower in the 5,000 rpm to 6,000 rpm band and 258 pound-feet of torque unlocked between 1,450 rpm and 4,500 rpm. An eight-speed Sport automatic transmission sends these resources to all four wheels and then to the asphalt through BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive setup.

The 228i xDrive goes from 0 to 60 mph in six seconds flat en route to a top speed of 151 miles per hour (when fitted with performance tires). Top speed with all-season tires is 130 miles per hour.

If it’s a heftier punch you’re looking for, BMW will gladly sell you the 2 Series M235i xDrive. The feistiest BMW 2 Series GC you can get in the US of A is developed around a tuned version of the 2.0-liter turbo found inside the 228i xDrive, with 301 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque on tap. Some of the engine’s mods include a reinforced crankshaft with larger-diameter bearings, a larger turbocharger, higher-volume fuel injectors, and a dual-branch exhaust system.

Top speed is 155 miles per hour, but the car must wear performance tires to pull that off safely.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe specifications

The new 2 Series Gran Coupe also packs a suite of new mechanical gimmicks through which BMW hopes it will stay on top of its rivals (mainly the sleek-looking Mercedes-Benz CLA) when it comes to road behavior. The M235i xDrive gets a Torsen limited-slip differential that’s actually integrated into the eight-speed gearbox, while the 228i xDrive packs what BMW calls ARB (actuator-related wheel slip limiter) that works with the xDrive setup to dynamically alter the distribution of power between the front and rear wheels according to a number of factors, such as accelerator pedal position, engine torque, speed, and steering angle. The ARB was, in fact, first used on the BMW i3, where it was used to improve traction in the wet or on frozen surfaces but also to keep wheel slip in check.

For the sake of comparison, the two-door BMW 2 Series coupe is 174.7 inches long, 69.8 inches wide, and 55.8 inches high, with a wheelbase of 105.9 inches, 0.7 inches shorter than the Gran Coupe. If we are to take a peek in Mercedes-Benz’s backyard, the CLA sits on a 106.3-inch wheelbase and is 182.3 inches long, 70 inches wide, and 56.6 inches high, thus longer, wider, and taller than the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Standard features for the 2020 BMW 2 Series 228i xDrive Gran Coupe include 17-inch multi-spoke wheels, a multi-function steering wheel wrapped in leather, LED headlights and fog lights, iDrive 6 with navigation and an 8.8-inch Control Display, a rearview camera, and power front Sport seats. The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe comes fitted as standard with 18-inch M double-spoke wheels, M Sport brakes, M Sport steering and steering wheel, and an M Sport suspension setup as well as the Torsen limited-slip differential we mentioned earlier, plus an aero body kit.

Prices are yet to be announced, but we’ll get to know more once the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe nears its market launch date.

Further reading

Read our full review on the 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe.

Read our full review on the 2019 BMW 2 Series Coupe.