If you want a BMW 2-Series, the engine you go for will dictate the character of the car, which you can then further refine by fitting it with one of the available styling packs. There’s definitely plenty of choice in its range, and plenty of available diversity (at least in Europe), but which model will be the most popular?
CarBuyer recently tested the 220d model, arguably the best all-round proposition for the Euro driver (not available in North America) with a preference for torque over zingy top end power.
It uses little fuel, it doesn’t emit that much CO2 (125 g/Km as tested in the video) but can still hurl itself past 62 mph or 100 km/h in just over 7 seconds – that’s almost hot hatch pace, or nearly on par with a Toyota GT86.
Negatives discovered in the review are the gruff engine note under hard right foot flex and the notably higher price than that of the regular 1-Series on which it’s based. However, the latter is still seen as reasonable, in the sporty coupe company of the VW Scirocco and Audi’s (new) TT.
By Andrei Nedelea
VIDEO