- A next-gen BMW 2-Series Gran Coupe is under development
- Expect the compact four-door sedan to arrive as a 2025 model in the U.S.
- A plug-in hybrid powertrain might be in the works
BMW is out testing prototypes for an updated version of the 2-Series Gran Coupe, the compact sedan that first arrived in 2019 as a 2020 model.
The updated version is due out shortly, likely as a 2025 model for the U.S., and will feature changes similar to those on the updated version of the related 1-Series hatchback that debuted in June and isn’t planned for sale here.
The latest prototypes have shed a lot of the camouflage gear seen on earlier examples, revealing new designs for the headlights and grille. The front fascia is also a new design with a more horizontal theme. At the rear, it appears that the taillight graphic will be new and the fascia will take on a cleaner design.
Inside, the updated 2-Series Gran Coupe is likely to finally adopt the more modern dash design found in the related 2-Series Active Tourer sold overseas. This means a larger infotainment screen and a new center console with additional controls, including a small nub for changing gears, as opposed to the traditional upright lever. The same interior design was added to the 1-Series hatchback for its update.
It isn’t clear what changes are planned for the powertrain lineup, if any, though we may see model designations tweaked, just like on the updated 1-Series hatchback. The new strategy removes the lowercase “i” from badging for gas-powered models to help distinguish them from new electric vehicles which also use an “i” in their badging. For the updated 2-Series Gran Coupe, the current 228i model will likely become just a 230. Likewise, the current M235i will likely become an M240.
The 2-Series Gran Coupe’s 228i model currently packs a 2.0-liter turbo-4 that makes 228 hp, while the M235i packs the same type of engine but with a 301-hp rating. Drive is to the front wheels as standard for the 228i but all-wheel drive is available. All-wheel drive is standard on the M235i.
A plug-in hybrid powertrain may also be added to the lineup at some point, since there are no plans for an electric 2-Series Gran Coupe just yet. Any plug-in hybrid powertrain would also likely be borrowed from the 2-Series Active Tourer whose own plug-in hybrid model features a turbocharged 1.5-liter inline-3 and an electric motor for up to 321 hp combined.
BMW has another new compact already in U.S. showrooms. A redesigned X2 went on sale in the spring as a 2024 model for the U.S.