BMW has expanded the 2-Series Gran Coupe range in the United States by adding a front-wheel drive version. This is the first FWD BMW sedan to be offered on this side of the Atlantic (the Bavarians also offer the FWD X1 sDrive SUV). The new 228i sDrive Gran Coupe serves as the new entry-level model. It is positioned under the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe and, with a starting price of US$ 35,700, it undercuts it by US$ 2,000.
Like its all-wheel drive sibling, it’s
powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder making 228 HP and 350 Nm of torque. This engine is connected to an eight-speed automatic
transmission, yet since it now directs the power to the front, instead of all
four, wheels, the 0-96 km/h sprint takes 6.3 seconds instead of 6.0.
According to CarsDirect, which discovered
the introduction of the new model via order guides, EPA-rated fuel economy has
been improved by 1 mpg, from 27 to 28 mpg (8.7-8.4 l/100 km). Sitting at the
top of the 2-Series Gran Coupe range is the M235i xDrive, which can be had from US$ 45,500. It also uses a 2.0-liter turbo-four, which in this case produces 301
HP and 450 Nm and is paired to an eight-speed automatic
transmission and xDrive AWD. It hits 96 km/h in 4.6 seconds and
reaches a 250 km/h electronically limited top speed.
The most affordable member of BMW’s U.S.
lineup is the X1 sDrive28i. It undercuts the new sDrive28i Gran Coupe by US$ 300,
as it starts at US$ 35,400, and packs the same 228 HP 2.0-liter engine as the 228i
Gran Coupe, hooked up to an eight-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel
drive.
