There’s an evergreen appeal to the BMW 216 Gran Coupé’s four-door coupe form
Despite the ongoing fervour for crossover-shaped “activity” vehicles, there is a niche of buyers that still appreciates something relatively low-slung, such as a four-door premium compact coupe like the 2 Series Gran Coupé (or 2GC for short), for instance.
It may form a small segment, but we’re glad that BMW still panders to this group of fans, because variety, as always, is the spice of life.
By this same token, we still appreciate that BMW continues to offer a variety of powertrain solutions, which span ICE (Internal Combustion Engine) to hybrid and, of course, all-electric Battery Electric Vehicles (BEV).
These cater to different sensibilities, and until the fat lady sings and we’re well and truly stuck with crossover BEV, many of us petrolheads continue to enjoy the pleasures of the venerable internal combustion engine.
See also: XPENG X9 Drive Review : Dressed to the 9s
There’s a svelte musculature to the 216 Gran Coupé, with the M Sport package adding sporty bells and whistles to the Cat A COE car.
See also: Audi RS 3 Sportback 2.5 TFSI quatro S tronic Drive Review : High 5
The sleek silhouette is suitably dynamic, and while the grille continues to polarise opinions, it will ensnare eyes as the 2 Series Gran Coupé drives by.
Unlike many of the all-electric (and increasingly anonymous) denizens of the roads today, the 216 GC will attract its fair share of attention.
It is nicely hunkered down, sits on smart, 18-inch rims and features sporty aesthetics that should fool other road-users into thinking it is faster than it really is.
Don’t sniff at the 1.5-litre’s modest 122hp and 230Nm, though, because it has proven to be quite a perky performer. With a 9.9-second 0-100km/h time, it may not be blisteringly fast, but it is how the chassis works so well with the engine’s performance that truly impresses.
The chassis has been engineered to serve up comfortable damping to its occupants, yet there is sufficient body control to allow one to drive in a spirited fashion in the tight confines of the city.
For more lifestyle, arts and fashion trends, click here for Options Section
The 216 may lack outright oomph, but it proves nippy enough around town, as the three-cylinder engine’s torque swells from just 1500rpm. It may be a narrow band of performance, but it is more than adequate to allow the 216 to excel in the cut-thrust melee of peak-hour traffic.
Compared to the 1 Series hatchback, the 2 Series GC feels more grown-up and credibly doubles as the young executive’s chariot of choice.
There’s decent accommodation for four (or five in a pinch) occupants, but the 2GC is compact enough to manoeuvre around in rush hour traffic, especially since its short overhangs make light work of precise placing.
The newly-designed cabin features a balanced fusion of digital and analogue, with the user interface dominated by BMW’s OS9 and the brand’s elegant Curved Display.
The interior is completely leather-free now, yet it manages to deliver a decent level of premium comfort.
There’s subtle backlighting about strategic spots, which changes colour dynamically depending on the driving mode to “set the mood”, which adds a nice touch to the driving proceedings.
The seats provide good support (local cars will have the full Veganza-clad seats) and are comfortable even after a continuous half-day behind the wheel.
The important switchgear remains physical, with the rest a quick tap of the touchscreen away, thanks to the QuickSelect feature. In fact, the car’s many functions are designed for multi-modal operation through both touch and voice control.
The 216 GC is tuned to be a tight, snappy handler, and it will surprise many people to learn that it is front-wheel-driven. The rigidity of its body means there are no vague impressions as far as the driving feel is concerned.
We like that there isn’t the same mind-numbing, effortless surge that is more commonly associated with BEVs. The 216 GC engages one’s senses, with the driver having to work both engine and chassis for their driving pleasure.
Things don’t always have to be about being fast, because there is more fun in the hard work expended in driving a slow car fast, and the aura through such visceral engagement is increasingly hard to come by these days.
BMW 216 Gran Coupé M Sport
Engine 1499cc, inline3, turbocharged
Power 122hp at 3900 - 6500rpm
Torque 230Nm at 1500 - 3600rpm
Transmission 7spd Steptronic dual-clutch
0-100km/h 9.9 secs
Top Speed 214km/h
