BMW has given the 2 Series Gran Coupe a little facelift, and this is it

This is the new, lightly tweaked BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe, which you’ll remember shares much of its DNA with the BMW 1 Series Not Gran Coupe.

Which means it now also shares the same indifferent expression worn by its recently revised hatchback stablemate. Happy? Sad? Anxious? Like the new 1er, we have no idea what the 2GC is thinking anymore.

BMW calls its new front treatment – consisting of new lights, a redesigned grille and lower front section – “expressive”. An expression that now stretches back over a fractionally longer, taller body. A body that BMW said displays its “hallmark” proportions.

The inside’s been given a once over too. There’s the standard-fit ‘Curved Display’ – angled slightly towards the driver like ye olde BMWs did – with a pair of 10in+ screens.

And UK buyers now only get a pair of drivetrain options – the not-very-‘hallmark’ front-wheel-drive 220 M Sport GC, or the bit-more-‘hallmark’ all-wheel-drive M235 xDrive GC. The former gets a small 1.5-litre triple with a 48V mild-hybrid setup (featuring a small e-motor nestled in the gearbox).

Total power for the 220 sits at 168bhp and 207lb ft of torque, which is then sent to the front wheels via a seven-speed dual-clutch auto to enable 0-62mph in 7.9s and a top speed of 143mph. BMW claims this version can achieve between 51.4 and 53.3mpg.

The M235… won’t achieve that, claiming between 34.4 and 37.7mpg. But it will achieve 296bhp, which is about 10 horsepowers down on the previous version, but still a chunky slice of power. Especially when delivered by a 2.0-litre turbo able to generate 295lb ft of torque, too.

That’s allied to AWD (featuring a mechanical diff lock for the front axle) and the same seven-speeder to record a 0-62mph time of 4.9s and top speed of 155mph. Very quick.

Hence why BMW’s tweaked the suspension a tad, too. There are new anti-roll bar mounts, new wheel bearings and tweaked dampers for better turn in and comfort. Adaptive M suspension is standard.

As are a raft of driver and safety electronics. Like collision warning, cruise control, speed limit assist, lane departure warning, park assist, and BMW’s Operating System 9.

Prices in the UK start from £34,915 for the 220 M Sport, rising to £44,435 for the M235 xDrive.