Just a couple of months ago, a BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe prototype was caught testing at the Nurburgring, finally providing some visual confirmation to the long-term rumors – BMW is working on a four-dour coupe for its new 2 Series family. The first thing we noticed in those spy shots was just how small it is. Compared to the passengers inside the car, it looks positively minute. It’s quite refreshing, actually, as cars are getting bigger and bigger.
The next thing we noticed is that it is absolutely front-wheel drive. There might have been some debate as to whether or not the upcoming 2 Series GC would be front or rear-wheel drive but we now know definitively. The front brake caliper gives it away. As our editor Hugo recently educated us on, if the brake caliper is ahead of the front axle center line, or on the front of the rotor, it uses rear-steer, which is when the steering rack is behind the front axle. This is the case with transverse-mounted engines, as there isn’t enough room to put the rack in front of the axle, where it’s ideal. So seeing the caliper ahead of the axle center line gives away its front-wheel drive nature.
The 2020-2021 model is based on the next generation 2 Series and aims to bridge the gap between 1 Series Sedan and the 3 Series Sedan. With a length of approximately 4.5 meters, the 2 Series Gran Coupe has roughly the same length as the current Gran Tourer.
The six-cylinder is taboo for the 2 Series Gran Coupe , therefore the strongest version of the 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine – 252 hp – will be used as the top model. An iPerformance model could deliver additional performance, thanks to an E-module. Alternatively, a 2.0-liter petrol engine with 197 hp as well as three diesels with 156, 197 and 240 hp would be offered.
The F44 2 Series Gran Coupe is also slotted for the US market.
Here is the latest rendering from Motor1
