If lately all discussions about BMW seem to revolve only around how big its double kidney is, in the case of the 2 Series Gran Coupé, launched in early 2020, its entire design ended up being a matter of debate.
The quintessential rival of the Mercedes-Benz CLA did not bring a double XXL kidney, but brought with it unprecedented proportions to BMW and, like the 1 Series (F40) with which it shares so much, it brought new interpretations of the brand's typical styling elements that they also didn't avoid some contestation.
However, the discussion around the appearance of the Series 2 Gran Coupé ends up distracting from the other attributes of this model, which, in many respects, are superior to the CLA. And the same is true when we refer to this BMW 216d Gran Coupé tested, one of the steps to access the range.
BMW 216d Gran Coupé: Diesel access
We can start precisely with the 216d Gran Coupé being the stepping stone to diesel engines in the range. I have to admit that, bearing in mind my last experience with this 1.5 l three-cylinder in the previous 1 Series (F20), expectations were not the highest. Despite being very competent, in the old 116d it proved to be unrefined, with extra vibrations, which showed all its tricylindrical nature.
In this new iteration and arrangement (positioning is now transverse and not longitudinal) surprised. The vibrations are now much more contained, being more refined and even…creamy in use, while its responsiveness and enthusiasm for revving is clearly superior — (seriously) at times it felt more like a gasoline engine, showing great vivacity when reaching 3000 rpm, continuing to pull happily up to and beyond 4000 rpm.
Only when we “wake up” the engine of the BMW 216d Gran Coupé does it stubbornly maintain a sense of shake.
Pleasantly surprised by the refinement and liveliness of the BMW three-cylinder Diesel
If the engine was a positive surprise, its marriage with the double-clutch gearbox, the only one available, was not far behind. Despite being a self-confessed fan of manual boxes, I don't think I would be better served in this case. She's always ready to respond, she's always in the right relationship and it's very difficult to get her wrong — she even seemed to be able to read her mind...
Also in manual mode (no paddles, we have to resort to the stick) it turned out to be very pleasant and correct to use, as well as in its Sport mode (no unnecessary reductions and does not maintain a relationship to a forcibly high regime without being precise).
The 216d Gran Coupé comes with 16" wheels as standard, but they go up to 18" if we opt for the M sports version. They look better without sacrificing very good rolling comfort and soundproofing.
Okay… It looks like the 216d Gran Coupé is a “cannon” — it's not. It's only 116 hp, a modest value, but the liveliness and availability of the engine together with the very well-calibrated box make the 216d Gran Coupé as valid an option as the more powerful (and more expensive) 220d. Furthermore, the tricylinder showed a moderate appetite, recording between 3.6 l/100 km (90 km/h stabilized) and 5.5 l/100 km (mixed driving, with lots of cities and some highways).
Convincing driving and behavior
Its attributes are not limited to its kinematic chain. As I've already seen with the more powerful 220d and M235i, on the dynamic plane the 216d Gran Coupé fully convinces. It's not the most entertaining, but it's not boring either — as I mentioned in my first contact just over a year ago, we see the best of the 2 Series Gran Coupé at 80-90% of its capabilities, where it seems to flow harmoniously across the asphalt.
It stands out for the balance and cohesion in the action of all its commands, steering (a thinner steering wheel would be appreciated) and pedals, and for the answers they provide — better than its arch-rivals in Stuttgart —, reflected in a chassis that guarantees effective and progressive behavior.
Even though it is equipped with the sports suspension and we are sitting on the optional sports seats, the ride comfort remains in a good level, although the damping tends towards the dry. That said, it “breathes” better on asphalt than the CLA 180 d I've tested in the past, even at highway speeds (there was a small but constant churning in the CLA), demonstrating a high stability and a high onboard refinement ( soundproofing achieved).
And more?
Despite the four doors, the aesthetic choices made, especially those related to its silhouette close to the coupé, generate compromises. Rear visibility leaves something to be desired and when sitting in the back, although access to the rear seats is reasonably good, the space in height is limited. People six feet tall or taller torso will brush/touch their head on the ceiling — a CLA, or even the Series 1 they share so much with, are better at this level.
Sport seats are also optional (520 euros) and add electrical adjustment of the lumbar and side support (bags fill or deflate, changing the "grip" to the ribs).
Moreover, as we have seen in several 2 Series Gran Coupé and also in the 1 Series, the strength on board this BMW 216d Gran Coupé is at a high level, above its main rival. And the interior design, despite being more conventional, has a shorter learning curve and better ergonomics than other models that also decided to bet heavily on digital.
There are still physical commands for the most used functions that don't force us to interact with the infotainment system, even though this is one of the best in the industry (fewer submenus would be even better). There is room for improvement, such as the reading of the digital instrument panel, which sometimes becomes confusing, as well as I would happily dispense with the “upside down” tachometer.
Interior modeled on the Series 1, but it doesn't lose anything because of it. M sports steering wheel has a nice feel, but the rim is too thick.
Is it the right car for you?
Its appearance remains a matter of debate, but luckily, the attributes of the Series 2 Gran Coupé don't start and end with its appearance. Mechanically and dynamically it convinces more than the corresponding CLA, as well as the perceived interior quality.
However, it is by no means the most affordable. The price of the 216d Gran Coupé is in line with that of the CLA 180d, starting at 39,000 euros, but our unit added another 10,000 euros in options. Do we need them all? Of course not, but some are "mandatory" and should even come as standard, like the Pack Connectivity (which has, among others, connectivity to mobile devices, Bluetooth and USB, with wireless charging), which "charges" the price at 2700 euros.
Our sporty M version is also quite expensive, but — and getting back to the topic of looks that we never really managed to get away from — we almost felt compelled to opt for it to give the Series 2 Gran Coupé a little more grace. These (wrongly) called four-door “coupés” are worth noting, above all, for their more refined image, so the “adornments” M help a lot in this chapter. It's no wonder that styling remains one of the CLA's greatest strengths in relation to the Series 2 Gran Coupé.