TWO DIMENSIONS

Sensible engine and sporty intentions. Does the polarizing combination work?

I must admit that the idea of a diesel engine in a compact, taut body like the BMW 2 Series requires something of a paradigm shift that my mind grappled to unpack. Especially since the model on test was fitted with sporty 19-inch wheels that, when combined with the power dome on the bonnet, delivered a message of intent way above the punching power of the badge. On first impression, the 2 Series design is really starting to gel. Now it seems to have found both a purpose and an identity, maturing into a niche offering but also evolving to a slightly different rhythm versus BMW’s diversifying portfolio and technologies. In a way, it feels slightly old school, and unpretentious alert. For a change, there’s almost nothing controversial about it, nothing too revolutionary under the hood and for someone like me who just enjoys the simple pleasures of driving, the 220d has the right mix of ingredients.

Enough rambling, it’s important to unbundle certain misconceptions and find out exactly how the 2 Series fits in. The first being that this is unrelated to the 2 Series Gran Coupe, with the biggest differentiator being that the 2 Series GC is front-wheel drive. The coupe, by contrast. sticks more to BMW’s heritage by driving the rear wheels. This coupe also repurposes the 3 Series chassis which remains a benchmark in its class but it also means that the 2 Series has been stretched into a larger footprint. However, the snug cabin tries its best to mute any reservations of bigger dimensions – the main threat to sportscars’ agility, alongside weight. And the 2 Series Coupe has put on a bit of that too.