BMW is currently holding its national media launch for the almost all-new 2 Series Coupé. We’ve got boots on the ground (well, in the car), hands on the steering wheel, and eyes on the road while we put them through some driving to see if they’re any good.
For this refreshed line up here in SA, we’ll be getting the 220i, 220d, and the M240i. We’re holding out hope that a refreshed M2 shows up at some point but for now, this is it. We’ve only had the chance to drive the 220i so far.
We’re not convinced.
Interior designer
Starting at R765,000 (excl. CO2 tax) the 220i is slightly more than the previous 2 Series Coupé. And by slightly more, we mean over R100,000 more than the previous base model. Maybe that’s because the M Sport package comes standard on both 220 models. But make no mistake, that doesn’t mean there aren’t even more optional extras for you to inflate that price tag.
With the interior, we struggled to find anything that stood out as unique to the 2 Series Coupé. Maybe the designer forgot to do their homework and asked the 3 Series designer (or 4 Series for that matter) for their notes, promising to change it so no one can tell. Well, we can tell.
That’s not to say it isn’t nice inside. It is. But for a car like this, we were expecting a little more than ‘nice’. If we had to fish around for positives, BMW OS 7 isn’t the worst infotainment experience we’ve tried. Apple CarPlay and Android Auto are welcome additions and BMW has also done a cool thing with the interior lights below the inner door handle.
Dial M for Motion
There’s a little more life in the included M Sport package. Expect a 2.0-litre turbocharged inline 4-cylinder engine that puts out 135kW of power and 300Nm of torque. If those numbers don’t seem like a lot, it’s because they aren’t. It’ll do 0-100km/h in a sluggish-ish 7 to 8 seconds. We found that to be mostly true during our testing, which was all done in the name of science. That kind of straight-line performance isn’t going to make the hair on your arms and neck stand up but straight lines never really were where BMWs shined.
Both the 220 models are rear-wheel drive, as you might expect from BMW. That means it’s far easier than you might think to make them go sideways. Now, we’re not saying you should ever purposely make your car go sideways unless you’re a trained professional on a closed race track. But if, hypothetically, your right foot was to turn to lead on the accelerator and your left foot delicately played with the brake while you counter steered away from the corner, you’ll start to feel some movement in those hairs. You’ll start to understand the appeal. Hypothetically, of course.
The point of this BMW?
The point is that there’s not all that much power to play with. But what exists is contained in a rather neat little package. This kind of power in what is essentially a matchbox makes for a fun time. That is, if you don’t take the kids. It might be a matchbox but it’s a decently roomy matchbox provided you’re driving or riding shotgun. Anyone crammed in behind you won’t share that opinion. BMW might as well have omitted the rear seat entirely. But you aren’t buying a car like this for the rear seat experience, are you?
Those that do have close to a million rand burning a hole in their pockets probably have another car or two back home with enough space in back for the dog. If you’re that kind of person, the 220i isn’t what you’re after. You’ll want the M240i. Keep your eyes peeled for our thoughts on that after we have a round or two later today.