We were back in the driver seat of the new BMW M235 xDrive Gran Coupé in sunny Spain recently. This machine represents an attempt to infuse BMW’s Motorsport DNA into a front-wheel-drive based platform that could tempt ‘M’ fans into a slightly cheaper alternative priced at €70,395. While not an entirely new model, it brings extensive revisions to its predecessor’s platform, incorporating substantial technological advancements, key mechanical upgrades, and a fully redesigned exterior and interior.
To look at, the M235 xDrive Gran Coupé is stylish and modern. Its aggressive design cues, sharp LED headlights, and large air intakes give it that hint of performance. The rear design is arguably its strongest angle, with slim taillights, a sculpted boot lid, and dual exhaust tips which, in our opinion, looks even better than the M2. Frameless doors provide an elegant touch and reinforce its coupé-like profile whilst the side profile features an elongated front overhang that makes it pretty easy on the eye.
The interior is well-appointed, featuring BMW’s latest Curved Display and an array of modern driver aids. However, start adding optional extras, M Performance add-ons, premium technology packs, larger wheels and the price rapidly climbs to a level pretty close to the 3 Series. Our test car had the standard M Sport seats with Alcantara/Sensatec upholstery, offering enhanced side bolstering. The newly designed M leather steering wheel was a nice touch and the seats had the optional Vernasca leather and Alcantara upholstery for a more luxurious feel. Overall, the BMW M235 xDrive interior blends sportiness with modern luxury, offering a high-tech, driver-focused cabin.
So what engine options will Irish buyers have? Well the range starts with the 220 M Sport featuring a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 170 hp and 280 Nm of torque. It accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.9 seconds and reaches a top speed of 230 km/h. Next up is the mid offering 223 xDrive Gran Coupé equipped with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine featuring 48-volt mild-hybrid technology. This gives you a combined output of 218 horsepower and 360 Nm of torque.
Paired with a 7-speed automatic transmission and BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, the vehicle accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 6.4 seconds and achieves a top speed of 250 km/h. Our test car as mentioned was the M235 xDrive powered by a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine. With 300 hp on tap and 400 Nm of torque it sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.9 seconds and has a top speed of 249 km/h. The combined fuel consumption sits between 7.4 to 8.2 l/100 km, which is easily believable from our time with the vehicle. The 2 Series Gran Coupé lineup will no longer features a diesel offering for Ireland.
To drive it would be remiss of us not to mention its sibling, the MINI Countryman JCW. While the two share their fundamental mechanical underpinnings, the BMW commands a price premium but it is also a touch sharper to drive. The BMW’s lower kerb weight of 1,623kg compared to the Countryman JCW’s 1,741kg translates into a sharper, more agile driving feel. Through the twisty mountain pass, the M235i boasts quicker turn-in and generally feels livelier on the road. The seven-speed dual-clutch transmission (DCT) offers a more refined shifting experience when under load and the optional four-piston brakes add decent stopping power, particularly useful on demanding roads! Whilst overall it might not deliver the rear-wheel-drive-biased experience long associated with BMW’s M Division, it is enjoyable to drive!
The big question is, will it sell here in Ireland? For us the entry-level 220 M Sport Gran Coupé priced at roughly €47,500 offers the perfect gateway into the BMW brand at a lower price point and still looks great. The M235 does provide strong performance and all-wheel-drive capability for considerably less than a similarly specced 3 Series but for driving purists, its front-wheel-drive biased roots might force you to consider the MINI Countryman JCW with the same underpinnings for considerably less. On paper, the M235 ticks all the M Performance boxes: a more powerful engine, aggressive styling, and a reworked chassis making it an attractive option for those seeking a junior M car, but will it be enough to tempt Irish buyers? Only time will tell.
