Nothing Set in Stone

The BMW 220i Gran Coupé is the adapted, evolved, and restructured new breed. A punchy petrol front-wheel-drive Bimmer proves there’s nothing set in stone and that change is the only constant

- Jim Gorde

Modular engines. Modular platform. Flexibility. Yet something’s different. The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has a petrol variant in India and, surprising or not, it’s a 220i and it packs near about 200 hp. That’s a decent amount for a 1.5-tonne family car. Especially considering it brings a more than decent 280 Nm of torque to go with it. But a front-transverse engine and wheels powered and steered ahead of the driver make for a different experience. We’d driven the 220d turbo-diesel version not too long ago. This one feels different. Very different.

A petrol-engine family car from a premium brand has a special ring to it for many. Especially someone stepping up for the first time. It’s sleek, turns heads, and looks fast standing still. It’s got compact proportions yet looks rather similar — and that’s not restricted to just the uninitiated — to its much larger and far more expensive siblings; 840i Gran Coupé, we’re looking at you. The aggressive front grille, 17-inch wheels, and mirror-like glossy paint finish look stunning. An entry Bimmer is a thing, but this one surely doesn’t look the part. As mentioned earlier, we’ve driven the 220d turbo-diesel version and it will be interesting to note how the revhappier petrol feels.