There are two transverse engines available in the 2 Series Gran Coupe. The first powers the 228i xDrive and is a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 228 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque that will get the 228i to 60 mph in 6 seconds on the way to a maximum top speed of 151 mph with performance tires. It's coupled to an eight-speed automatic and all-wheel drive, just like all 2 Series Gran Coupe models, and the all-wheel-drive system is front-drive biased, but can distribute up to 50% of power to either axle. The other engine comes in the M235i xDrive and is a modified turbocharged 2.0-liter engine with a bigger turbo, beefier internals and extra engine radiators. It makes 301 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque, and it can propel the M235i to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds on the way to a top speed of 155 mph. With the M Performance Package, it can do the sprint to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds.

The M235i gets a few extra enhancements over the regular 228i besides the extra power. The eight-speed transmission gets an oil cooler, and a mechanical limited-slip differential is used up front rather than the standard brake-based limited-slip differential. A shock tower brace and subframe brace are added as well. The suspension is retuned and gives the car a ride height one centimeter lower than the 228i. The M235i gets better brakes, too, which can be added to the 228i as an extra-cost option. Both cars can also be fitted with a dual-mode suspension as an option.

The interior is pretty typical BMW with subdued colors and designs, but BMW has given it some flair in the form of ambient lighting. There are sections of the dash and doors that have cross-hatched patterns that emit whatever color of light you prefer. The car also comes standard with physical instrument dials and an 8.8-inch infotainment screen. There's also an optional 10.25-inch infotainment screen that can be augmented with an optional 10.25-inch instrument display and an optional 9.2-inch color head-up display.

Both 2-Series Gran Coupe models are coupled with an all-wheel-drive system that is front-drive biased (transverse engines), but can distribute up to 50% of power to either axle.

The base 228i xDrive starts at $38,495, which nets you all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four making 228horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. The M235i xDrive adds chassis and brake upgrades, a mechanical front limited-slip differential and more potent turbo 2.0-liter engine making 301 horsepower and 332 pound-feet of torque. The base price the M235i xDrive is $46,495.

The Mercedes CLA 250 has a slightly lower base price of $37,645, but that's for the front-drive model. Adding all-wheel drive bumps the CLA 250 above the BMW at $39,645. Mercedes hasn't released pricing for the M235i's competitor, the AMG CLA 35, yet. Both the CLA 250 and CLA 35 have nearly identical horsepower, though the CLA 35 is down about 40 pound-feet of torque to the BMW. Mercedes does have an even higher-performance AMG CLA 45 available that makes 375 horsepower and 350 pound-feet of torque. It starts at $54,095.

Also in a similar segment to the BMW is the Audi A3 range. The base model starts at $34,295, which is cheaper than the BMW, but with front-wheel drive and less power at 184 horses and 221 pound-feet of torque. Adding all-wheel drive brings the base price to $37,495, which is still less than the BMW. The all-wheel-drive Audi also matches the BMW 228i's exactly. The Audi S3 competes with the M235i model, and it starts at a lower $43,995 price, but it only makes 288 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque. Audi does have an even more potent RS 3, though, which makes 394 horsepower and 354 pound-feet of torque, but it starts at $57,195.