New BMW 2 Series Coupe aims to put the fun back into driving

• Flagship M240i model has a 369bhp petrol engine and four-wheel drive
• Sits on new platform used in the 3 Series and 4 Series models
• On sale in early 2022 starting from £34,980

The new BMW 2 Series Coupe has been officially unveiled at the 2021 Goodwood Festival of Speed. Three versions of the new coupe will be available at launch, including the flagship 369bhp four-wheel drive M240i. Sales start early next year, with prices starting from £34,980.

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When it arrives, the new 2 Series Coupe will have several two-door rivals including the Alpine A110, Audi TT and new Toyota GR86.

2021 BMW 2 Series Coupe: design

Unlike the latest 1 Series and 2 Series Gran Coupe, the nose of the new 2 Series Coupe sports a pair of subtle kidney grilles with a flatter and wider design. These are fitted with BMW’s active air control flaps, meaning slats in the grille open and close to cool the engine or to help increase aerodynamic efficiency. A new LED headlight design also features, together with a muscular front bumper boasting a trio of angular air intakes.

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The bonnet looks slightly longer than the old car and features a power bulge, giving the nose a more aggressive look. From the side on, the silhouette of the new 2 Series Coupe looks broadly similar to the previous generation but sits 28mm lower than before.

At the rear, there are flared rear wheel arches and a fresh boot lid design that features a small rear lip spoiler, along with new lights sporting a red and black two-tone finish, as seen on the latest 3 Series and 4 Series Coupe models.

BMW will only offer the new 2 Series in M Sport trim in the UK, meaning a sporty ‘M’ spec body kit is standard, along with gloss black contrasting trim on the lower side sills and rear diffuser, 18-inch alloy wheels and circular exhaust pipes. The M240i adds contrasting silver exterior trim, 19-inch alloys, sportier bodywork, including a deeper front splitter and a rear lip spoiler, and a pair of angular exhaust pipes.

Engines, performance and prices

At the top of the range, the flagship M240i starts from £47,795. It’s powered by the same 369bhp twin-turbocharged six-cylinder petrol engine as found in the M440i and M340i models. As with those cars, BMW’s xDrive four-wheel-drive system is fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The M240i manages 0-62mph in 4.3 seconds and an electronically limited top speed of 155mph.

While it won’t matter to most buyers, the M240i is officially capable of fuel economy of up to 34.9mpg and CO2 emissions ranging from 185 to 200g/km.

Despite the move to all-wheel drive, BMW claims the xDrive system will be rear-biased to give the M240i the character of a rear-wheel-drive car. It will be capable of power slides on track too, thanks to an electronic locking differential, which also helps to improve traction on the road by distributing power to the wheels with the most grip.

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Beneath this, a pair of four-cylinder engines are available, each fitted with an eight-speed automatic gearbox. The 220i acts as the entry-point of the range starting at £34,980. It uses a turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine producing 181bhp. Performance is pretty brisk, with an official 0-62mph sprint time of 7.5 seconds and a top speed of 147mph. According to BMW, the 220i manages fuel economy of up to 44.8mpg and emits 144-155g/km of CO2.

Higher mileage drivers are catered for as well, with the 220d diesel model starting from £36,900. It gets a turbocharged 187bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine fitted with mild-hybrid electrical assistance. The extra pulling power makes it slightly quicker than the petrol engine, with 0-62mph taking 6.9 seconds and an identical top speed of 147mph. As you’d expect of the diesel, the 220d is the most economical of the range, capable of up to 60.1mpg with emissions of 122-132g/km.

BMW says the new 2 Series Coupe has improved handling thanks to an all-new body, which is stiffer than the old car, and a new adaptive power steering setup. Other improvements include a longer wheelbase (the distance between the front and rear axles), a wider track, and a lower ride height, which all helps to reduce body lean in corners.

Interior, technology and practicality

The interior is carried over from current BMW models including the 1 Series and 4 Series coupe, with an identical steering wheel, a 12.3-inch infotainment touchscreen and 10.25-inch digital dial cluster that gets M Sport displays.

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M Sport cars are fitted with a leather-trimmed steering wheel, and Alcantara and black faux leather upholstery with blue contrast stitching. Buyers can also choose from three optional upholstery colours. The flagship M240i has Vernasca leather-trimmed seats as standard, which is an option on M Sport trim cars. Every version features front sports seats that are also heated.

Despite its sporty focus, the new 2 Series offers respectable practicality too, with a 390-litre boot representing a 20-litre increase over the old car. According to BMW, the load lip is 35mm lower than the previous model, making it easier to load heavy items.

Read our review of the current BMW 2 Series or see how it compares to the Audi TT and Toyota GT86.