The BMW M235 Gran Coupe Is Good In a Vacuum: First Drive Evaluate

The 2025 BMW 2 Collection Gran Coupe shouldn’t work. In contrast to the 4 Collection Gran Coupe, which takes the three Collection platform and makes it sleeker, the two Collection GC is basically a Mini Cooper beneath—It shares nothing with the two Collection Coupe besides a reputation.

It’s additionally not very new. The wheelbase is precisely identical because the outgoing mannequin and beneath the hood are identical (albeit up-to-date) turbocharged engines.

From behind the wheel, although, it completely works. The Bavarian automaker’s least expensive M-branded mannequin is a worthy entry level into the lineup with stable driving dynamics, a considerate inside, and enticing exterior styling. The one drawback with the brand new 2 Collection GC—particularly the M235 mannequin I drove—is that it prices nearly as a lot as just a few different actually good BMWs. The two Collection Gran Coupe M235 begins at $50,675.

The M235 GC has a turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine sending 312 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque to all 4 wheels, which is an honest improvement over the outgoing 2 Collection GC. That mannequin had simply 302 hp and 258 lb-ft at its most potent. The two-inch 0-litre engine pairs with a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Sadly, the upgraded 2.0-litre is not a particularly inspiring engine to rev out—regardless of the nice synthesized engine noise piped into the cabin. It is decently fast off the road and maintains a Kansas-flat torque curve between 1,500 and 4,000 RPM, which makes it really feel approach quicker than a base 330i, not less than. However, within the period of electrification, 4.7 seconds to 60 miles per hour is much less spectacular.

The M235’s seven-speed dual-clutch transmission doesn’t really feel any sharper than an everyday computerized, one. It’s barely too refined to make the most of the fast-shifting nature of DCTs; It doesn’t smack you onerous on downshifts and it by no means looks as if it is in a rush. Pulling the shift paddle ends in a pause, then, ah sure, right here’s your gear, sir. It’s clean and predictable, not less than, but it surely’s no match for BMW’s wonderful ZF-sourced eight-speed computerized.

Professionals: Considerate Inside, Stable Drivetrain, Uncontroversial Styling

After which there’s the elephant in the room. The straight-six-powered M240i coupe has 382 hp and comes along with your alternative of rear- or all-wheel drive. As respectable as the GC’s four-cylinder is, it may possibly maintain a candle to the coupe’s inline-six. Everybody is aware that Bavarians make the most effective straight sixes on this planet.

Fortunately, the GC’s driving dynamics are nonetheless traditional BMW. The automaker stiffened the chassis with additional metallic, which is spectacular, considering this automobile isn’t a full-blown M mannequin.

Adaptive suspension is likewise customary on the two Collection GCs, as is the M-sports exterior (though optionally available in Europe). The entrance brakes are large, with the four-piston callipers wedged behind the usual 18-inch wheels. Different small {hardware} adjustments make it clear that, whereas this isn’t an M2, it’s completely constructed like one.

My brief drive was on a cleatake-a-look-atat monitor, so I can’t converse to how this automobile handles potholes and pace bumps—however dynamically, not less than, the suspension felt nice. The two Collection GCs moved confidently between lanes with barely any physique roll. It felt planted. The steering fell wanting telling me the whole lot I wished to know, but it surely was well-weighted and returned to heart with a nice elasticity. The free-revving engine and predictable dual-clutch by no means upset the automobile mid-corner, both, confidently placing energy right down to all 4 wheels.

Cons: Too Shut In Worth To The M240i Coupe

Finally, although, that is one other space the place somebody may want the two Collection coupe. Whereas the M235 is supremely assured as much as the Restrict, it’s not so playful if you get there. Even with energy in any respect to 4 wheels, front-drive-based vehicles by no means fairly supply the identical tinge of pleasure, and that’s true right here.

Surprisingly, although, the outside styling works—which isn’t all the time given by trendy BMW. The entrance and rear fascias look concurrently aggressive and uncontroversial. The kidney grilles are sized appropriately. The physique is deliberately creased and enticing. Overcoming any FWD-based automobile’s short-hooded proportions is an enormous problem, however, the Bavarians did an ideal job right here.

The M235’s inside arguably shines brighter than many trendy BMWs. The Gran Coupe will get distinctive CNC-milled trim and hand-stitched M-colored upholstery that’s spectacular for the value level. Different considerate touches, like aa slight shelf to simply stow glasses within the heart console, added a human ingredient to the design, which a few of the automaker’s different vehicles are severely missing. It’s additionally quiet at freeway speeds, with foam-filled tyres absorbing a whole lot of disagreeable highway noise.

For the M235, all of it comes again to the value—and the truth that the two Collection coupe exists. You may get right into a non-M 2 Collection GC for $42,775. However at $50,675 to start out for the M235, that’s some huge cash for what’s, on paper, only a trim degree of the most cost-effective automobile in BMW’s lineup. And for only a few thousand {dollars} extra, you may get a real two-door, inline-six, rear-drive sports activities automobile.

Don’t get me flawed, although, the M235 Gran Coupe is an especially well-rounded automobile. It’s approachable, it’s quiet, it has all-wheel drive. It’s BMW’s most pedestrian platform taken to new heights. And as an entry into the automaker’s M-branded world, it’s onerous to think that BMW might do significantly better. It’s a disgrace there’s a significantly better car with an identical title.