With its deliciously naughty line and its rear-wheel drive architecture, the 2 Series coupé upholds traditional values dear to BMW. Even with its 184hp 220i entry-level petrol engine? Answer below.
Car tested: BMW 2 Series Coupé 220iA M Sport
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From€47,600
360 € penalty
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The third installment of the 1 Series has become a wise traction that struggles to differentiate itself from other traditional compacts. The second generation of the Series 2 Active Tourer minivan prefers the well-being of passengers to that of its driver. The iX electric SUV is lost in a gigantism unsuited to the Old Continent. It is to wonder if BMW has not lost its Latin and its initial values: those of propulsions which privilege the pleasure of driving.
At a time when the current automotive challenges impose adaptation and pragmatism on manufacturers, the 2 Series Coupé has the effect of a refreshing return to basics. Its muscular lines evoke the era of deliciously naughty little BMW coupés. Its long hood, which accommodates its mechanics in a longitudinal position, reminds us that it is a propulsion. Based on the modular CLAR platform that it shares with the 3, 5 and 7 Series, this coupé stands out from the other 2 Series faithful to traction. This is something to delight purists on paper. And in real life?
BMW 220i Coupe price
Equipped with a four-cylinder 2.0 l turbo petrol engine with 184 hp, the BMW 220i Coupé is available from €42,600. At this price, the endowment includes the essentials in terms of driving aids (see next page), but you have to put your hand in the wallet to afford an interface up to what is expected of a premium vehicle. For example, the BMW Live Cockpit Navigation Pro, equipped with a 12.3-inch digital instrument panel, involves a financial outlay of €2,700. The M Sport finish of our test model is charged 47 600 € and it integrates this fancy interface as standard. It adds a good edge of technology and dynamism, with a firmer sports chassis. In addition, the reasonable penalty in this category makes the proposal tempting
Driving
The very low driving position, the enveloping seats, the steering wheel with an exaggeratedly thick rim and the impressive range of adjustment immediately refer to the DNA of a Bavarian coupé. The long flat bonnet, less plunging than that of the big sister BMW 4 Series, gives the impression of driving a car that is even longer than its 4.54 m would suggest. This is not necessarily a problem in everyday life, except on narrow parking ramps, where you have to keep your compass in your eye! Especially since the DirectDrive steering with variable reduction, fitted as standard on this M Sport finish, is sometimes a little sensitive during maneuvers and can give the impression of oversteering.
The 2 Series distills the driving sensations of a true rear-wheel-drive BMW.
In town, the reduced turning radius due to the propulsion architecture of the car is appreciated more than its damping. The lack of filtration of the sports chassis, automatically fitted in M Sport, disturbs the tranquility of the occupants on the incessant small road junctions and other speed bumps. The 19-inch wheels mounted on our test model surely amplify the phenomenon. Under these conditions, the engine is completely forgotten by its silence. Only the few vibrations during its restarts after a stop recall its presence.
Under such a long bonnet, a traditional BMW straight-six fits without a shoehorn. Except that it is currently only reserved for the powerful M240i xDrive, pending the arrival of a thundering M2. Our 220i, which plays the access version, is satisfied with a four-cylinder 2.0 turbo of 184 hp otherwise less romantic. Taking advantage of a nice flexibility, it shows that it is effective and takes advantage of all the breath of its artificial respiration from 1,500 rev / min.
Its softness is appreciated as much on a daily basis as its excellent eight-speed automatic transmission, the only fault of which is to generate some (very) slight jolts at low speed. If the “trunk” and the performance of this engine are sufficient in absolute terms, he struggles cruelly to move people. Its rises in the towers without relief, its obvious lack of enthusiasm at high speeds and its ordinary not to say nasal sound make us regret the good old days of the affordable six-in-line, long gone. Damn standards!
The pleasure of driving a BMW awaits at the bend of a winding road. A few bends allow you to find the house balance. Freed from any parasitic reaction, the front axle appears precise enough to make this coupé rather playful. The stern that follows the movement and the fairly direct steering that limits movement at the steering wheel contribute to this impression of agility. Well planted on its tire surmounts, the 220i Coupe collects big support with ease and efficiency. These increasingly atypical driving sensations within the range of the German manufacturer are always so refreshing. Too bad the lack of feeling from the steering, the damping bouncing on bumpy roads and the braking not biting enough taint the party a little.
On board
Competetion
Difficult – if not impossible – to find a direct competitor to our small 2-door BMW coupé. His siblings, who cut larger, belong to the superior category. It includes the Mercedes C-Class 200 Coupe AMG Line. It has the same propulsion architecture and a comparable power of 184 hp, but it is more expensive (from €51,600) and is almost 24 cm longer in length. The Audi A5 is barely more compact (4.69 m or 15 cm longer than the 220i Coupé), and its 35 TFSI Mild hybrid version is available from €47,470. But its traction architecture has absolutely nothing to do with it, and you have to settle for a 2.0 l petrol engine with 150 hp. The 204 hp 40TFSI starts at €51,230.
Find the results of the test, the prices, equipment, options, as well as the technical data sheet of the BMW 220i Coupé on the following page.
