Having switched to a front-wheel drive platform, the new-gen BMW 1-Series and its 2-Series Gran Coupe-derived sibling represent a major change for the Bavarian automaker.
Due to the new layout, understeer seems to be an issue even for the range-topping, all-wheel drive M235i xDrive Gran Coupe as proven in the latest video shared by SportAuto, which shows it going against the clock at the Hockenheim-GP trying to beat one of its main rivals, the Mercedes-AMG CLA 35.
Review: 2020 BMW M235i Gran Coupe Isn’t Really The 2-Series You Think It Is
Having posted an unofficial time of 2:06.1 at the end of the course, the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe eventually failed to beat the CLA 35, which was clocked at 2:04.9. Other cars that turned out to be faster than the Bimmer were the Audi TTS Coupe, Mercedes-AMG C43 Estate, BMW M340i xDrive Touring and Ford Mustang GT, which did 2:03.4, 2:03.1, 2:02.7 and 2:01.2 respectively.
On a more positive note, it was quicker than the Audi S4 Avant V6 TDI, Seat Leon Cupra R ST and BMW 330i, which lapped the German track in 2:06.3, 2:06.7 and 2:08.7 respectively.
It may not be very well suited to a track, but at least the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe will put a smile on your face with its straight-line acceleration. That’s thanks to its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that puts out 301 HP and 332 lb-ft (450 Nm) of torque and is mated to an eight-speed automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
Those numbers are good enough to propel the M235i xDrive Gran Coupe to 60 mph (96 km/h) in just 4.6 seconds, and on to an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph (250 km/h).