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2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe Lands To Take On Cadillac CT4

The Bavarians just unveiled the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe several weeks ahead of a public reveal at the 2019 Los Angeles Auto Show, placing rival luxury C-segment four-doors like the 2020 Cadillac CT4 squarely in its sights.

Under the skin, we find the Bimmer offers a transverse front-engine layout and front-wheel-drive-based platform, which differs from the rear-wheel-drive-based Cadillac CT4.

The U.S.-spec BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe lineup consists of two model variants, including the 228i xDrive Gran Coupe and M235i xDrive Gran Coupe. The former is powered by a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder gas engine producing 228 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 258 pound-feet of torque at 1,450 rpm. Output is routed through an eight-speed automatic transmission and reaches the ground via BMW’s xDrive all-wheel drive system. The sprint to 60 mph takes six seconds flat, with top speed electronically limited at 130 mph when equipped with all-season tires, and 151 mph with performance tires.

Meanwhile, the BMW M235i xDrive Gran Coupe also gets a turbocharged 2.0L four-cylinder, but output is upped to 301 horsepower at 5,000 rpm and 332 pound-feet of torque, cutting the 0-to-60 mph time to 4.7 seconds, or 4.6 seconds with the M Performance Package. Top speed rated is rated at 155 mph with the performance tires.

The M235i also comes with extra equipment to complement the extra power, such as a transmission oil cooler, a mechanical limited-slip differential, a shock tower brace and a subframe brace, a suspension retune and better brakes.

Inside, the 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe comes with standard analogue gauges and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. Options include a 10.25-inch infotainment screen and 10.25-inch instrument display, as well as optional 9.2-inch head-up display. There’s also a slew of driver assists, including blind spot detection, frontal collision warning with city collision detection, and lane departure warning.

Outside, the 2020 BMW 2 Series looks a bit like a smaller 8 Series Gran Coupe. The 228i gets standard 17-inch wheels, while the M235i gets standard 18-inch wheels.

It’ll be interesting to see how the 2020 BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe lines up with the Cadillac CT4 when it launches next March.

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Jonathan is an automotive journalist based out of Southern California. He loves anything and everything on four wheels.

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Comments

  1. The BMW Cimarron. Didn’t they learn from Mercedes mistake?

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  2. No, no more like BMW WRX STI ?…..

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    1. That’s an insult to WRX. This BMW is a FWD mini in a different shell.

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  3. The CT4 will kick its ass in terms of driving dynamics.

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  4. FWD POS! Gag & retch!! But it will still outsell the CT4 because people are morons.

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    1. The CT4 will be more desirable though. Nobody I know wants a FWD BMW. This essentially competes with an Acura ILX.

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  5. This car looks cheap and ugly compared to the CT4, especially the interiors. I’ll take the American built CT4 and support the Michigan Economy. Thank you very much.

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  6. I know the Supra used a BMW platform. Did BMW take a Camry to make this.

    Not exactly a thing of beauty.

    Now to this who hated the CT4 what do you think now?

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    1. Still think Cadillac is making a mistake with the base 2.0T and that junk 8 speed.

      Otherwise I like the CT4, I prefer the front end to the rear end, but that’s just design style.

      And my opinion of the interior is ” good enough ”

      But its my opinion

      And I will never own a BMW either.

      Reply
  7. We here on GMA care about drivetrains.

    The people looking at the BMW 2 don’t even know what a drivetrain is, but they do know what a BMW badge looks like.

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    1. Nailed it! This is exactly it

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  8. Reply
    1. I’d say that the core fanbase of BMW most certainly does care about the drivetrain as much as we do, but they were never in the line of sight of BMW’s marketing department for the 2-Series.

      Zoe, the 29 year old Vancouver area yoga instructor, calls herself a BMW fan as well…and because of that the 2-Series will sell.

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  9. KIA did a heck of a nice job on that new Rio…..I approve!

    Reply
  10. I hate two things in my life:

    1. Boiled onions
    2. FWD proportions.

    Reply
  11. People sat there and said the ct4 2.0t was underpowered. The 2 series has less power than the ct4. But not only that, it’s also a fwd platform. I wonder what they’ll say when they find out the 2 series has less power and a fwd platform.

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    1. Yes but is the standard Engine. Where is the non V 300 hp CT4?

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  12. Uuuuuuum did I miss something? Isn’t the 2 Series coming to the US strictly as an AWD vehicle?
    Also, the 2 Series might not be a RWD Derived Sedan such as the CT4 but it is ALL NEW unlike the RWD almost 10 year old ATS eeeeer CT4 Sedan. Oh yeah, it also has a BMW Specific 2.0T and not a “Truck Engine” as a Performance option.
    Listen I like RWD as well but come on now. You all know the CT4 and CT5 deserved so much more from GM then they gave us.
    Have any of you seen the Base Shift Lever on the CT4? Dude I wouldn’t allow anyone I know to purchase that car simply because I know GM found that thing somewhere in a basement from 20 years ago. GM still hasn’t figured out what it means to be a Luxury Brand. It is a shame. I am not nitpicking about Shift Levers, it is the bigger issue that a lot of people here always miss about Cadillac. We are GM fans but the General Public is NOT. GM has to offer more for less to draw them in. Not offer less than the competition. It shouldn’t be this hard man. GM keeps shooting themselves in the foot with Cadillac.
    I am sure the CT4 will probably driver better for us enthusiasts but BMW will sell every single 2 Series they make around the World. Cadillac on the other hand will most likely be offering Rebates on the CT4 pretty close to Launch date. Hope I am wrong though but I highly doubt I will be.

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    1. No you’re right Momolos. BMW sold 311,000 vehicles in the US in 2018. Cadillac sold about 155,000. There’s no way in hades that BMW even thought about the ATS/CT4 in making this car. It is confusing and sad to see those spy pictures of the new Escalade interior and being wowed by them, and then looking at the CT4 and CT5 and wondering what happened. The ATS probably won’t even hit 12,000 sold per year.

      You’re right, GM doesn’t know how to manage a luxury brand. At least the Escalade is a beacon of hope.

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      1. The Escalade is a Chevy work truck under the skin. That’s hardly a redeeming product in my opinion. GM doesn’t know how to manage a luxury brand. Period.

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        1. And the BMW is a Mini with flash, at least the “Chevy work truck” will do something the BMW can’t, last 150k mi’s without a overhaul..

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          1. I think the sales figures, brand esteem, and resale values among other metrics speak for themselves. While I am no fan of BMW’s current posture of using a MINI platform for a BMW, the difference is that the 2-Series Grand Coupe is a small, entry level product. The Escalade will be Cadillac’s flagship product.

            BMW has an entire fleet of highly accomplished and compelling products. Does Cadillac have a competitor for the 8 Series, the Z4, the 7 Series, the i8, the X7? With the demise of CT6, Cadillac will only have two warmed-over RWD sedans, three Chevy based FWD CUVs and the Escalade, which is a thinly disguised Chevy Tahoe That lineup doesn’t even begin to show evidence that GM is serious about Cadillac or has a clue how to manage a luxury brand. I wish I wasn’t saying that but anyone who still believes GM has a plan and is on the path to a renaissance for Cadillac isn’t actually paying attention.

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            1. “think the sales figures, brand esteem, and resale values among other metrics speak for themselves. While I am no fan of BMW’s current posture of using a MINI platform for a BMW, the difference is that the 2-Series Grand Coupe is a small, entry level product. The Escalade will be Cadillac’s flagship product.”

              But the point is that the Cadillac either the CT4 or Escalade will still be on the road while the BMW will be recycled…

              “BMW has an entire fleet of highly accomplished and compelling products. Does Cadillac have a competitor for the 8 Series, the Z4, the 7 Series, the i8, the X7? With the demise of CT6, Cadillac will only have two warmed-over RWD sedans, three Chevy based FWD CUVs and the Escalade, which is a thinly disguised Chevy Tahoe That lineup doesn’t even begin to show evidence that GM is serious about Cadillac or has a clue how to manage a luxury brand.”

              Don’t know, do BMW have a Silverado competitor?, do Audi have a i8 or Z4 competitor?. Hopefully the CT6 is not gone but the inconsistency of models is not just Cadillac but the US car makers overall and to take the cheapest way out but sometimes cheap don’t mean bad either.

              Example can you find a domestic competition to X7?, OTOH would you trust and Escalade or even Navigatior at 150k mi’s vs a “high tech” X7?.

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  13. So. Can’t wait for the car review comparisons. I’m hoping they play fair and keep the trim levels and pricing equal.

    Having said that; a Mini Cooper dressed in a BMW drag costume.

    Must have been a theme party?

    I’m only going to complain one more time.
    GM authority, please either get rid of the fuzzy
    “Im not a robot” 1985 quality pics, or find a new more advanced system.

    My iPhone does not like crappy quality pics in order for me to allow my comment to posted by a non-robot.

    The last time I complained about this, my comment was not posted.

    I like the site, and I’m a GM fan..why?
    Carried over from my childhood.

    But, please don’t take it personally. Just dump the antiquated protection system.

    Thanks!

    Reply
    1. GMA also needs to upgrade to SSL level security. This site is not secured. Takes too long for it to load as well.

      Reply
      1. Thanks, Gary.

        Apparently, you and I are the only one who gets it.

        Now for the, “I’m not a robot fun!

        Reply
  14. Will people cross shop a CT4 against this? Will the CT4 be considered to be the better package for the money? People are brand snobs but does Cadillac have the brand perception and prestige that will pull potential buyers over from this BMW, the A3 or CLA?

    BMW has the brand prestige to pull off offering such a risky model – it has well revered 3,4,5 series and more to fall back upon. Can one imagine Cadillac attempting to pull off a modern day Cimarron 2!!?? It’d be the death of an already struggling brand. CT4/5 already have failed to impress with initial impressions.

    For what it’s worth, the CT4 seems to be in vehicle limbo – GM didn’t right-size the ATS to keep pace with the segment (3 Series, C Class,..) CT4 seems like the oversized 5th grader that’s stuck in 3rd grade but would be the runt of the class if in the 5th grade.

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  15. It’s crazy that ten years later, GM still has the same issues with the CT4 as they did with the ATS. First thing buyers look at in this segment is the interior. CT4 is not anything special inside vs this BMW 2.series GC. Then there is the fact that BMW offers dirt cheap lease rates, Cadillac still doesn’t. Myself being able dynamics fan favors the rwd platform of the CT4 but then is ruined by only offering an automatic transmission option and it’s a poor GM slush gear box. Not a dct like the BMW. So the CT4 cant even capitalize on the fact that is has dynamics and would appeal to enthusiasts simply because they use a Chevy slush box which would only matter to that same group of buyers. It’s a shame. They didn’t make the CT4 better than the ATS they went backwards .

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    1. BMW can offer attractive leasing deals because the cars aren’t a depreciation disaster. Cadillacs lose so much value after a couple of years that the only way they could match BMW’s lease deals would be if GM takes the depreciation hit themselves which ain’t gonna happen.

      With a lease you’re paying for the difference between what the car is worth new and what what it’s worth at the end of the lease. That difference is divided by the number of months in the lease term. GMs problem is that the differential between their new and resale values is much less favorable than BMWs.

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      1. Which is a problem tha GM created. They need to find a way to fix it. Like my old man used to tell me when I screwed things up .its you problem that you created now you need to fix it.

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  16. Don’t call it a coupe, it has 4 drs .

    Reply

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