The Bavarian is a head-turner and this time kids as young as 5 can attest to that. Ask the Kimberley and NW born, they concur in unison.
Unveiled ‘virtually’ this year in mzansi, the first-ever 2 Series Gran Coupe is an answer to another German rival Mercedes Benz CLA, so we made to believe.
We took it for a strenuous ride first Kimberley (Northern Cape) and ended up in North West province, respectively.
On both occasions the all-new 2 Series powered by 1.5-litre turbo triple with 103kW and 220Nm, revved seamlessly.
Yes, stop, search and go towards NC is evident as army and Police man both entry and exit of the province, as we live and breathe the life of Covid-19. This opportunity presented all and sundry to evaluate and scan this Beemer for the longest times.
“Yerr, jy bestuur a duur daar so, Mnr,” (driving a beast) clutched a female soldier jealously, with her rifle held up like a Spanish guitar, thanks to its sporty touches, frameless side windows and a sloping rear roofline.
It also boast mechanical content and cabin, similar as the new 1 Series and shares its two-strong petrol engine range and a diesel motor derivative.
On a flat surface the sports coupé clogged 0-100km/h time of 8.7 seconds as opposed to the hills and mountains.
The GC models get agility-enhancing systems like ARB and Performance Control, which manage the wheel slip and apply brakes on the inside wheel to curb understeer, as we did a hairpin between Delareyville and Sannieshof in the NW.
It gains a few distinctive design features to set it apart from its competitors, such as a 3D mesh design for the grille, larger air intakes and 18-inch alloy wheels, with 19” rims being available on the options list. If you’re pockets are deep, that’s if?
Available gizmos include the BMW Digital Key, Lane Departure Warning system with active lane return, the Driving Assistant package with Lane Change Warning, route-ahead assistant, rear collision and crossing traffic warning, and the Parking Assistant which provides semi-autonomous parking assistance for parallel and vertical bays.
The 2 Series GC has a more powerful base engine and it is a bigger vehicle in size, measuring 4688mm in length versus 4526mm. Now consider this buggers’ height that’s if you know me?
The boot is so wide that it carried all the tiles and building material without any sign of a struggle- though had to be mindful on the gravel road.
Together with the intelligent BMW ConnectedDrive Services such as Real Time Traffic Information, Connected Music or Remote Services, you are always connected to your BMW and with the world. Oh yes, can also enjoy a video play.
BMW’s Live Cockpit Plus and Live Cockpit Professional, the latter also includes the BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant with AI. Here you also get a fully digital display and operating system, featuring two 26cm displays. Buyers can also opt for gesture control, Head-Up Display and Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go.
According to BMW the 218i and 220d GC models are available in five flavours – Basic, Advantage, Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport – and each trim adds its own unique design features.
‘Not elegant but extravagant. Not conventional but individual.
Not ordinary – but extraordinary. In keeping with high-end technologies and
perfectly tuned driving dynamics features, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé stands
out from the crowd with ease and pursues its very own path.’
As for those kids- whistling, jostling for a pic- know that a Beemer is worth boasting to and about to your peers, err army included or kanjani?
How I wish the lockdown would end and take a sojourn to our neighbouring states?
All cars are sold with a five-year/90 000km maintenance plan and two-year/unlimited kilometre warranty.
It retails for R R608 619
Verdict
Performance 1-10 (8)
Petrol 1-10 (7)
Image SLM (The all new BMW 218i GC is a roller-coaster).
