Now that the 2 Series Gran Coupe is out, the question is whether BMW is willing to further develop another niche model on this basis. The most obvious candidate would be a Touring version born out of the F44 2 Series. The new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe is decisively aim at fighting the Mercedes-Benz CLA. Building up on the styling of the new 1 Series, the new 2 Series Gran Coupe is coming fully armed to battle its arch-rival – the CLA. The four-door coupe from the brand with the three pointed star is not just a standalone, baby CLS, but it also got a quite practical and attractive sibling: the Shooting Break variant (X118).
So, what if BMW would give it a second thought and surprise us with a proper Touring variant for its brand new 2 Series Gran Coupe? Even though wagon sales are a bit sluggish across the world, in the European markets they are quite popular. If the Merc recipe works in this case, why wouldn’t it for BMW as well?
A possible 2 BMW 2 Series Touring could display an overall streamlined exterior shape with a high side window and a longer roof extending towards the rear. The tradition of BMW touring models is quite rich and the Munich-based carmaker really knows how create a handsome station wagon.
In the case of the 2 Series Touring, body parts such as the front fascia or rear-end visual treatment shouldn’t differ from the gran coupe choice. Surely, the Touring version would flaunt its distinctive aura and cater to a much broader audience. Besides that, the overall practicality, the increased cabin space and the improved rear visibility could be the decisive acquisition points, let alone the exterior design.
The perspective of a frameless-door Touring with a cool and mind blowing silhouette reminiscent of a coupe is rather mouth-watering, to say.
But will that be appealing to the consumer in a market that mainly caters to SUV lovers?
In a word… no.
NFW.
Definitely has potential. And it could replace that Active Tourer thing.
I don’t fancy a 2 series grand coupe period.
Noted, but that wasn’t the question.
NO.
just bring the 1-series to North America instead.
Not on UrKeL platform for sure. If i wouldn’t mind fwd i would choose a much more reasonably priced car. Focus tourer, Seat Leon, Skoda… there is plenty choice in this segment. BMW should not think they can fool their customers into buying premium cars with sub premium drivetrains.
Works for Audi!
I would buy almost any BMW touring they would sell us in the states, except for an F31 4-cylinder auto-box AWD. Looking forward to a test drive in the RS6 Avant next year — it may have me bidding auf wiedersehen to BMW if they don’t offer a competitor that isn’t an SUV.