BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe: carsales Car of the Year 2020 contender

There’s a limited but lucrative market for simmering small sedans with all-paw traction, and the German prestige brands are locked right into that consumer demand.

Mercedes-Benz has its CLA 35 AMG, Audi has the S3 and now there’s the BMW M235i xDrive Pure Gran Coupe, a fitting contender for the 2020 carsales Car of the Year, proudly presented by Bingle.

For this year’s running, neither of the BMW’s direct rivals are taking part, but it won’t be a cake-walk for the M235i.

The sort of buyers BMW is targeting with this car are cashed-up younger people – professional singles or new families needing enough practicality from their car to strap a toddler in the back and ferry home the week’s groceries.

They want more style than a hatchback, more practicality than a two-door coupe. Oh, and they want exploitable performance in a smaller, premium package suitable for urban environments.

BMW describes the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe as a ‘[four-door] coupe’, which should, in theory, make the M235i more appealing, visually. But the jury is still deliberating.

Buyers will have very specific rationale for choosing the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe over the cheaper M135i xDrive. Maybe the 2 Series does indeed look more like a slinky coupe, whereas the 1 Series hatch looks more like a ... well, a hatchback.

Prices for the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe start from $49,990 for the 218i M Sport model, and the flagship M235i Gran Coupe is listed at $72,990. The Pure variant of the M235i xDrive is priced at $67,990.

While the Audi S3 is cheaper, the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe produces stronger engine output. The BMW holds a pricing advantage over the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35, for the same power and better torque.

BMW claims that the M235i Gran Coupe is good for a 4.9-second 0-100km/h time, thanks to its all-wheel drive and the output (225kW and 450Nm) from its turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine. In combined-cycle testing, the BMW’s fuel economy is rated at 7.6L/100km.

In his local launch review of the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe – including the M235i xDrive variant – carsales senior journalist Bruce Newton was unequivocal. This is a car that should be rear-wheel drive only.

“Look, I get the concept; sporty, fun, an attempt at sensuous form with four doors. But this sort of BMW makes more sense to me as a rear-driver – like the next M2 is going to be.”

Nevertheless, for many buyers the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe is one car that makes a sound case for inclusion in the carsales Car of the Year 2020, proudly presented by Bingle.

BMW M235i xDrive Pure Gran Coupe at a glance:
Price: From $67,990
Engine: 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-petrol
Output: 225kW/450Nm
Transmission: Eight-speed automatic
Fuel: 7.6L/100km (ADR Combined)
CO2: 173g/km (ADR Combined)