[Monoblock]

     Featured on BIMMERPOST.com

Just spotted this article:

According to Auto Motor und Sport, the German car manufacturer takes in account supplementing the “Gran Coupe” range with a rear-wheel-drive 2 Series with four-doors.

The German magazine reported that Klaus Fröhlich, BMW’s research and development chief, pleads for a RWD 4-door coupe to join the current range of the 2 Series.

Since a 2-Series Gran Coupe will be built on a platform shared with the 3, 5 and 7 Series - each model featuring a different wheelbase and track width - it will be viable for economic reasons as well. Mind you, the car wouldn’t come sooner than 2018 and it will be a rival to Mercedes CLA.

http://www.carscoops.com/2015/05/bmw...ries-gran.html

Anyone hearing anything similar from other sources?

[Cyberdemon]

I believe the rumors of the 4 door "2 series" will come true, but probably in the form of the FWD platform as more of a low end A3 competitor.

It will be harder to distinguish a 4 door 2 gran coupe and a 3 series when the pricing is so close. Making it FWD helps keep the platform smaller and save costs to put it right under the $29,999 entry level point.

[Merc for hire]

They have the 320i which cost same as a 228i.

[Dattebayo]

Not sure why they won't re-release the 1 series as the 2 series GC, so they can keep their odd # 4 door and even # 2 door naming scheme.

[MegaMatt3]

Also on Jalopnik: http://carbuying.jalopnik.com/bmw-re...e-o-1707655160

In a move that should surprise no one, BMW reportedly is building a “Gran Coupe” version of the 2-series. For those of you not familiar with BMW’s ridiculous naming scheme, when they add “Gran” in front of “Coupe,” it means two extra doors. This might be their best idea yet.

BMW Chief Development Officer Klaus Fröhlich is advocating for a rear-wheel-drive sedan based on the already-popular 2-series coupe and convertible to take on the new compact offerings from Mercedes and Audi, according to Auto Motor und Sport.

Unlike the odd niche segment vehicles like the X4 SAV and whatever the hell those GT hatchback things are, a four-door 2-series makes perfect sense. Mercedes sold 26,000 CLA units in 2014 and Audi managed to move over 22,000 A3s last year, according to GoodCarBadCar.net, which tracks auto sales figures. On average, these luxury compact sedans sell at double the rate of the BMW’s 2-series per month. These smaller cars are key opportunities to capture that incredibly lucrative entry level lease market.

We all know the 2-series is awesome, and its base price of $31,200 makes it accessible for a lot of buyers. Fun fact, BMW actually charges you less for the Gran Coupe version of the 4-series cars. So maybe the 2-series GC would be even more affordable than the 2-door.

The only reason why BMW may hold-back a 2-series GC is that pricing might overlap with the 320i that starts at $32,950. However, given the popularity of BMWs in the US, I would imagine there is a business case to be made for both. If the four-door 2-series does happen, it would logically follow that BMW could field an M2 CG to go toe-to-toe with the CLA and the S3.

[VDBimmer]

Can we just get the M2 already then they can start worrying about a 2 series GC lol

[vladberca]

This would be a very attractive offer in the compact segment, especially in RWD form.
It can appear after the LCI release for 2 series 😊

[MCarsFan]

The 4 and 6 series GC are awesome but a 2 series opens up the sub compact class I didn't envision. Think the 235i is a fantastic DD. I trust this doesn't take away from other model lines and reduce profitability.

[YungDro]

I'd buy a M235i GC

[Siciliano611]

Enough fucking models already

[M3 Adjuster]

DONT TEASE ME BRO!


My ducats are waiting for either an M2 GRAN COUPE or an M2 GTS/CSL

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Merc for hire

They have the 320i which cost same as a 228i.

Vehicles overlap all over the model lineups. Pretty much on purpose.

Different horses for different courses

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by Siciliano611

Enough fucking models already

And this is a problem for whom?

[ynotony]

So they're finally making a modern 3 series? Great!

I've been hoping for the return of a compact RWD sedan to BMW's lineup.

[Dixi]

Wait for 3 to 4 years, then get a 3-pot engine and a platform shared with Toyota, or buy a Jag XE?

Crystal clear...

[M3 Adjuster]

Originally Posted by ynotony

So they're finally making a modern 3 series? Great!

I've been hoping for the return of a compact RWD sedan to BMW's lineup.

SO many E36M3/4 and E46 zhp sedan folks that are like this.

[OpenAir]

Originally Posted by Siciliano611

Enough fucking models already

+1

[W///]

Originally Posted by Siciliano611

Enough fucking models already

I hope they do a 2er Touring just to piss you off.

I'd buy it too.

[raisingAnarchy]

Originally Posted by W///

I hope they do a 2er Touring just to piss you off.

I'd buy it too.

Honestly I'd probably buy that too. Sounds like an awesome concept actually haha. It'd be like an upscale Impreza Hatch except rear-drive.

[raysspl]

LOL would be nice to happen but highly unlikely

[BoosTonian]

They're going to have to do something with the 2-GC to differentiate it from the 320/328. Either make it (dare I say) fwd, or not put some features in it. Otherwise there goes the 320 sales..and an m235 GC would be a much better value than a 328

[Oliver1]

Originally Posted by M3 Adjuster

And this is a problem for whom?

The dealers don't have enough floor space to display a representative sample of all the different models and possible colors. If you buy off the lot, your choices for color and options are going to be limited. If you want something other than black/white/silver with the standard package, you are most likely going to have to order. Most people want to see the car before they buy to be sure the color is right for them and for the car.