Page 71 - Motor Trend (May 2020)

FIRST DRIVE
It certainly has power. At 301 horse-
power and 332 lb-ft of torque, it’s the
most powerful four-cylinder engine
BMW makes. The company says the
M235i xDrive Gran Coupe will hit 60
mph from a standstill in 4.6 seconds
using launch control. Shunting as much
as half the engine’s output to the rear axle
prevents torque steer, aiding the illusion
of rear-drive dynamics.
Comfort driving mode does betray
noticeable turbo lag at low engine speeds,
so if you’re not brake torquing or using
launch control, there’s going to be a
moment’s hesitation and a surge when
you just mash the throttle. Sport mode
tightens everything a bit too much for
everyday driving, but slotting the shifter
into its S position is a nice compromise.
Sport mode and S position combined are
for when you really want to drive like turn Even better, BMW no longer charges for
signals were never invented.
As a plain sedan, the 2 Series Gran
Coupe is likewise compromised. The
rear doors have the smallest aperture of
any door hinged at the front, making it
a squeeze to get in and out. There’s just
enough room for an average-sized adult
in the back seat if the front passengers are struggle with its identity, but you know
average in height and the rear passengers
don’t move their heads out of the carve-
outs in the ceiling. The rear driver-side
passenger sits on one of the buckles for
the deployable center seat belt, which
won’t see much use owing to lack of space. make the average driver feel like a hero
Further back, the short trunklid is more while keeping them out of too much
mail slot than parcel dump. One full-size
suitcase will fit, and you can probably
cram some smaller bags around it. Blame
the serious case of “X6 butt,” coupled
with the decision to keep it a traditional
trunk and not a hatchback like the larger
4 Series. For something trying hard not
to be a crossover, there’s an awful lot of
crossover styling in it, from that back end
all the way up to the familiar X2’s nose.
BMW continues to update its iDrive 2020 BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe
infotainment system, which is too layered
BASE PRICE $46,495
now. Still, it boasts over-the-air updates
Front-engine, AWD,
and the ability to buy software features— VEHICLE LAYOUT
5-pass, 4-door sedan
such as automatic high-beams—through
ENGINE 2.0L/301-hp/332-lb-ft
the system long after you’ve left the lot. turbocharged DOHC
16-valve I-4
Apple CarPlay and Android Auto; those TRANSMISSION 8-speed automatic
are now standard. As a cherry on top, the
CURB WEIGHT 3,600 lb (mfr)
optional head-up display will show navi-
WHEELBASE 105.1 in
gation instructions from your connected
L x W x H 178.5 x 70.9 x 55.9 in
phone, not just from the built-in system.
A sedan built on a crossover platform 0-60 MPH 4.6 sec (mfr est)
and styled like a crossover is going to EPA CITY/HWY/COMB 23/32/26 mpg
FUEL ECON
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, 147/105 kW-hr/
what? That’s fine. Most people don’t use
CITY/HWY 100 miles
the rear seats very often, and no one buys
CO2 EMISSIONS, COMB 0.74 lb/mile
a sedan to haul furniture. Most people
ON SALE IN U.S. Currently
don’t track their daily driver, either.
The M235i xDrive Gran Coupe will
trouble. Is it an M product the way the
M2 Competition Coupe is? Not at all, but
look how many of those BMW sells. The
people who want the full-on M car will
buy it. This is for all the other people who
want a fast daily. They’ll love it. Q
This ain’t your ordinary turbo-four engine.
It’s the most powerful one BMW makes.
The interior is quiet and comfortable—even the
optional sport seats. BMW clearly prioritized
front-seat comfort, as those passengers get
the lion’s share of available interior space.