Latest model will front with a look that bucks latest trend.

RECENTLY BMW designers all spoke as one to express confidence in the latest design ethos, and in particular the emphatically toothy grille, and suggest that, no matter what the feedback, it was here to stay.

Right …

So, even more recently, BMW has unveiled the 2 Series Coupe. Which, quite obviously, very much bucks that trend – rather than toting the controversial upright kidney grille design, it achieves a wider, lower type. Something much more in tune with what was previously the norm.

Anyway, a less overt front, and a notably cab-back side profile, isn’t the only news.

The other big story is that this the two-door car is basically a 4-Series put though a hot wash; it retains a rear-drive chassis, though on the New Zealand range-topping M240i (pictured), featuring a 285kW/500Nm turbo six-cylinder petrol, becomes the first 2-Series to have the xDrive all-wheel-drive system the larger car also utilises.

These provisions separate it from the BMW 1 Series line-up (and indeed the 2 Series Gran Coupe), meaning the new 2 Series Coupe should have more in common with the 3 Series and 4 Series.

BMW New Zealand expects its cars to be available from the first quarter of 2022. This product hails from a plant in Mexico.

The M240i is designed as a step between the normal 2 Series and the inevitable M2. BMW claims hit 100kmh in 4.3 seconds.

Other performance improvements include chassis components taken from the 4 Series, like the two-joint spring strut front axle and five-link rear axle, which improves handling and ride quality. 

Increased exterior dimensions mean more space inside the 2 Series Coupe than before, though it's still a four-seat car. The boot capacity has increased 20 litres to 390 litres and a split-rear seat back is standard equipment.

Sports seats and steering wheel are standard, while the dashboard features digital instruments and a touchscreen to the side.

In terms of size, the Coupe is 105mm longer than its predecessor, 51mm of that increase in the wheelbase. It's also 64mm wider, with increased track widths front and rear, though the new car is 28mm lower. This all bodes well for both driving dynamics and comfort.

The flagship has M Sport suspension and brakes, the latter bringing in an upgrade to four-piston fixed brake callipers at the front and single-piston floating callipers at the rear.

Another component that's part of the M240i package is the M Sport rear differential, an electronically regulated item that allows fully variable locking to alter the power split between the back wheels. Even though it is AWD, BMW claims that it's a rear-biased setup.

The alternate 220i Coupe is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, making 140kW and 300Nm of torque. It covers 0-100km/h in 7.5 seconds. Next year BMW is set to add a 230i Coupe, using a more powerful version of this powerplant, putting out 182kW and 400Nm. It will be optionally available with the M Sport differential.

All Coupes come with an eight-speed automatic gearbox called Steptronic Sport. It features gearchange paddles behind the steering wheel, launch control and a 'Sprint' function for maximum acceleration.