BMW’s Audi A3 Rival Desperately Needs To Find Its Mojo

The next-generation BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe has been spied testing in Europe with far less camouflage than in previous sightings, and it looks a lot more rounded than its predecessor. Expected to feature the chassis code F74, the new four-door is likely to appear on the same UKL2 platform that underpins the new F70 BMW 1 Series hatch, as well as the X1 SAV revealed earlier this year and its coupe-like X2 sibling, which we sampled in M35i guise. The prototype seen here is not the hot M-enhanced version, as we cannot see quad exhaust tips and the front end is not as aggressive as we’re accustomed to.

A New Styling Direction

While the current F44 2 Series Gran Coupe exhibits some similarities to the range-topping BMW 8 Series, leaked design sketches have confirmed that the new 2 GC will adopt similar styling to the aforementioned 1 Series, with more vertically oriented headlights that adopt a similar DRL graphic to the facelifted 3 Series. At the rear, the taillights look a lot like the X2’s, while the wing mirrors have swelled in size compared to the previous generation.

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No images of the cabin have yet been snapped, but it’s safe to assume that BMW Operating System 9 will feature here, with a pair of screens connected as part of the BMW Curved Display. New seats, updated trim elements, and center console revisions are also expected. Under the hood, we expect similar powertrains to the 1 Series, which means a variety of gasoline, hybrid, and diesel options for various global markets. In America, we’re likely to get only the range-topping M235 unless a new ’28’ powertrain option is offered to do battle with the latest Audi A3. And no, that’s not a typo, the ‘i’ suffix is no longer a part of BMW’s nomenclature as of the launch of the new 1 Series hatchback.

How Will The New 2 Series Gran Coupe Fare Against Rivals?

At this point, nothing has yet been confirmed about the F74, but we certainly hope for more comprehensive changes to take place under the skin. When we drove the current model, we found it lacking engagement and character, with very little to suggest that the M235i was engineered to the same standards as previous so-called M-Lite vehicles. We noted that Mercedes-AMG’s CLA felt more direct, and Audi’s S3 felt more explosive.

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Expert Opinion

Despite plenty of M Sport upgrades on the M235i (brakes, suspension, and a retuned steering setup), the 2 Series Gran Coupe failed to connect me to the road, with nothing more than understeer able to raise my pulse. Conversely, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35 felt alive and eager, always responding neatly to my inputs unless I did something ham-fisted.

The 2025 Audi S3 has also become more exciting of late, thanks to Ingolstadt now providing it with as much as 328 hp (more than any current production BMW four-cylinder) and even a drift-happy differential from the RS3 hyper hatch. As an expert in rear-wheel-drive dynamics, we sincerely hope that BMW will offer something similar to give the 2 Series a sharper focus on driving fun – it’s not a good look when you’re in a BMW and can’t have as much fun as an AMG or Audi Sport driver in the corners. Unfortunately, the new 2 GC is likely to gain weight, but this is yet to be confirmed, so keep an eye out for the reveal sometime before the end of the year.