BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé

FIRST UK DRIVE Updates to range-topper attempt to increase driver engagement, despite a drop in the engine's power output

- Tom Jervis

AEX 'INJECTION' is a word that conjures up unpleasant thoughts for many of us, so perhaps it's no surprise that BMW ditched the 'i' suffix (which stands for 'fuel injection') for this latest version of the hot 2 Series Gran Coupé.

The BMW M235 sits at the pinnacle of the 2 Series Gran Coupé line-up which, confusingly, is separate to that of the 2 Series Coupé; the former shares parts with the 1 Series hatchback while the latter has more in common with the bigger 3 Series, and a full-fat M2 model heads up that car's offerings with over 470bhp.

As with the outgoing M235i, this latest variant comes as standard with BMW's xDrive four-wheel drive system; this is mainly front-biased in this iteration, but can send as much as 50 per cent of the car's power to the rear wheels.

Speaking of the M235's predecessor, you may have noticed that power for this latest model has dropped from 302bhp on the 'i' to 296bhp here. Torque is also down from 450Nm to 400Nm.

This is all to comply with emissions regulations and while most buyers are unlikely to notice - even if they have driven the old car - it feels like a step back, especially after the facelifted Audi S3 recently benefitted from a roughly 20bhp power bump.

Styling is always subjective, and although the facelifted 2 Series has more of a whiff of Kia Ceed about its front end, to our eyes the nip-and-tuck for this mid-life update has served BMW's baby saloon well; the pinched front end now does a better job of concealing the car’s high bonnet line. We even quite like this rendition of BMW's illuminated kidney grille.