The second generation 2 Series Coupe is every inch a proper small sporting BMW. Jonathan Crouch drives it.

Ten Second Review

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. Here's the updated version.

Background

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, launched at the end of 2021, 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. In mid-2024, this car got a package of mid-term updates, creating the model we look at here.

Driving Experience

The 'G42'-era 2 Series Coupe is one of those cars that just feels right within the first fifty metres, whichever version of it you happen to have chosen. As with this model's E82 and F22-series predecessors, drive dynamics are key, whichever of the engines happens to suit your budget or preference. The foundation here lies with BMW's decision not to switch to the front-driven platform these days used by all its other compact models. Instead, this second generation 2 Series Coupe gets a shrunken version of the CLAR chassis used for the company's middle ranking 3 and 4 Series models. That's welcome, not only because it means this car can be predominantly rear-driven but also because it enables it to offer another very BMW-style feature you wouldn't normally now find on one of its smaller cars - a throaty straight six cylinder engine, fitted to the 374hp M240i variant. This gets the brand's xDrive 4WD system, but you'll be limited to a rear-driven set-up if you opt for one of the more affordable four cylinder 2.0-litre models further down the range. There are two, both with petrol power (the 184hp 220i and the 245hp 230i). BMW no longer offers the 190hp 220d diesel version. The flagship M2 variant has an even more powerful 'S58' version of that 3.0-litre straight six twin turbo engine with 480hp; and the option of a manual gearbox if you want it. Whatever engine is chosen, for likely customers rewarding handling will be a must, so much work has gone into the 'G42' engineering formula here to make sure that's delivered; wider tracks, carefully adjusted wheel camber values and a 12% increase in static torsional rigidity are all crucial here. So is the return to classic 50:50 weight distribution (the previous 'F22' generation model was 47:53). Much too has been borrowed from engineering introduced in the current 4 Series Coupe, notably what BMW calls 'lift-related dampers', which provide extra damping to control body movement over large bumps and better settle the car through the corners. On top of that, there's a low ride height, there are firm springs and anti-roll bars, plus this Coupe gets a clever double-jointed spring-strut front suspension and a 5-link rear axle. We'd like a bit more feel from the 'Variable Sport Steering'; and on the M240i, you really need to find the extra for the M Adaptive Suspension package: otherwise, it's all good.

Design and Build

It's recognisably a 2 Series Coupe - but this G42-era design turned out to be a slightly larger and certainly more modern-looking one. There's been no Convertible body style option this time round. The Coupe we're left with hasn't visually changed as part of this mid-term update (apart from fresh colour and wheel options and a 'pearlescent chrome' finish for the kidney grilles on models not fitted with the optional 'Black Shadowline' package). So, as before, this coupe is 4,537mm long and 1,838mm wide, standing 1,390mm tall. Attractive 'M Sport' styling, which includes 18-inch wheels and remains standard in the UK, adds extra pavement presence too. And sporty touches include a low front apron, flared wheel arches and swollen rear haunches. The faster M240i variant gets squared-off sports exhausts, a colour-coded rear spoiler, grey trim features, a unique front splitter and special 19-inch M Sport alloy wheels. The main update changes are inside, where there's a smarter wheel, a new dashboard and a redesigned centre section. The configurable head-up display set-up's improved too. There's the same, sleek curved digital display panel as before, pairing a 14.9-inch digital instrument screen with a 12.3-inch centre monitor, but the software that drives the latter has been substantially updated, with BMW's latest operating system. As before, the upholstery is a mixture of Alcantara and Sensatec man-made leather and can be had in three different colours, with full 'Vernasca' leather optionally available. The 51mm wheelbase length increase that was incorporated into this G42-era model means there's more space in the back than the old F22-era version of this model could provide. And, as before, there's a decently-sized 390-litre boot, extendable with a folding backrest.

Market and Model

2 Series Coupe Prices start at around £37,000 for the base 220i; you'll need around £3,500 more for the 230i. The M240i xDrive variant costs from around £46,000. The top M2 is around £63,000. These figures include standard 'M Sport' trim. That gets you a sporty front apron, dark gloss exterior trim and dark metallic finishes in the lower sections of the skirts and the rear diffuser, plus large 18-inch wheels. Standard interior features include sports seats trimmed in Alcantara and Sensatec man-made leather. Plus M-branded tread plates, pedals and floor mats, along with an M-specific anthracite headliner and a chunky M Sport wheel. Other standard features include acoustic glazing for the windscreen, auto headlamps and wipers, power-folding mirrors, LED interior lighting and 3-zone automatic climate control. Options added as part of this update include fresh interior and colour trim elements (there's a red synthetic leather option now, as well as the usual black and cognac finishes); you can also now have open-pore timber and carbon fibre trim elements added onto the dash and the doors. As before, a key option is Adaptive M suspension, which offers a wide spread between sporty and comfort-orientated responses. You might also want to consider the optional M Sport braking set-up - which is standard on the M240i. Luxury options include full Vernasca leather; and a glass slide/tilt electric sunroof. There's also a wide range of driver assistance systems, including Front Collision Warning autonomous braking and a package of optional camera driven 'Driving Assistance' features.

Cost of Ownership

What about the WLTP figures? Well, the 220i petrol version manages up to 44.1mpg and up to 146g/km. The 230i is rated at up to 42.8mpg and 151g/km. Move up to the six cylinder M240i xDrive model and you're looking at up to 34.9mpg and 185g/km. There are no Plug-in PHEV or EV drivetrain options. What else might you need to know? Well, routine maintenance is dictated by 'Condition Based Servicing' that monitors oil level and engine wear, taking into account how long it's been and how far the car has travelled since its previous garage visit. You can check all of this using menus in the 'iDrive' centre-dash display and the car will give you four weeks' notice of when a check-up is needed so you have plenty of time to book it. To help plan ahead for the cost of regular work, at point of purchase you'll be offered a 'BMW Service Inclusive' package that lasts for three years and 36,000 miles.

Summary

If pushed to name BMW's most convincing sports car, many would walk past the mighty M5, ignore the powerhouse M3 and M4 models, pause briefly to admire the lines of the Z4 and end up at the baby of the range, this 2 Series Coupe. With a selection of fantastic engines and the draw of a fully-fledged and awesomely capable M model at the top end, this two-door 2 Series continues to demonstrate that light is right. Not for nothing does this model enjoy the lowest average owner age profile of any that the Bavarian brand makes. It'll certainly help BMW that this car doesn't really have many rivals directly able to square up to it. Affordable rear wheel drive models like Toyota's GR86 don't have the quality or the necessary range of engine options. And something like a Porsche 718 Cayman is just too expensive. This 2 Series isn't perfect of course. You might suggest that its shape isn't the most alluring we've ever seen from this Munich maker - but at the same time, you'd have to admit it to be an aesthetic step forward from the previous generation F22-era model. Anyway, what'll sell this thing to you is its roadgoing experience, its lust for life and the way it'll remind you of what driving used to be about when all that's ahead is a ribbon of twisting tarmac. Ultimately, it's the kind of car that BMW does better than almost anyone.