Skip advert
Advertisement
Road tests

New BMW M235 2025 exclusive drive: behind the wheel in the hot new 2 Series Gran Coupe

We find out if the new performance upgrades are enough to get us excited for BMW’s incoming hot baby saloon

Verdict

Our incredibly brief test drive in the new BMW M235 wasn’t enough to give it an official star rating, so we’ll reserve proper judgement until we can drive it on public roads in the coming months. However, it’s obvious that BMW has made some worthwhile performance upgrades, and we’re looking forward to finding out what it can do on some much twistier UK roads. 

Advertisement - Article continues below

The first examples of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe won’t arrive in the UK until early 2025. However, we were fortunate enough to get behind the wheel before anyone else, taking the new M235 out for two very quick laps on a short test track at the BMW Performance Centre in South Carolina, US. 

Naturally, we didn’t fancy spending our limited time with the performance hatch testing it in Comfort mode or toying with the new infotainment system. So as soon as we had the turbocharged four-cylinder engine fired up, we switched into Sport and activated launch control. 

Releasing the brake pedal, the car sends all 296bhp and 400Nm through all four wheels and pins you to the body-hugging M Sports seats. As you approach the redline, pulling on the very large shift paddles on the steering wheel, the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission delivers sharp, quick gear changes. 

Skip advert
Advertisement
Skip advert
Advertisement - Article continues below

Used - available now

2 Series

2021 BMW

2 Series

33,117 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £14,300
View 2 Series
2 Series

2020 BMW

2 Series

20,777 milesManualPetrol1.5L

Cash £13,300
View 2 Series
2 Series

2021 BMW

2 Series

32,770 milesAutomaticPetrol2.0L

Cash £17,200
View 2 Series
2 Series

2015 BMW

2 Series

71,670 milesManualPetrol2.0L

Cash £10,995
View 2 Series

BMW says the M235 will do 0-62mph in 4.9 seconds, and will hit a top speed of 155mph. The M235 accelerates to high speeds with ease and feels incredibly stable, so should make a great motorway cruiser. Our only gripe was the wind noise caused by the little extrusions on our test car’s M-style wing mirrors.

Approaching one of only two corners on the track, we get to test out the M235’s upgraded brake system borrowed from the much larger, much more powerful BMW M3. We’re told it uses the largest brake discs that BMW could fit within the 19-inch wheels. Combined with a set of four-piston calipers on the front axle, the set-up certainly delivers plenty of stopping power. If we’re being picky, we would like more initial bite. 

We were told that BMW has also revised the steering on the M235 to make it quicker and more precise, which was immediately noticeable as we entered the few corners available to us. The car felt darty and handled changes in direction very quickly. There is a bit of body roll and movement, although it is kept largely in check – even at high speeds.

Model:BMW M235 xDrive
Price:£44,435
Engine:2.0-litre 4cyl turbo petrol
Power/torque:296bhp/400Nm
Transmission:Seven-speed dual-clutch automatic, all-wheel drive
0-62mph:4.9 seconds
Top speed:155mph
Economy/CO2:37.2mpg/172g/km
Size (L/W/H):4,546/1,800/1,445mm
On sale:Now
Skip advert
Advertisement
News reporter

As our news reporter, Ellis is responsible for covering everything new and exciting in the motoring world, from quirky quadricycles to luxury MPVs. He was previously the content editor for DrivingElectric and won the Newspress Automotive Journalist Rising Star award in 2022.

New & used car deals

BMW 2 Series

BMW 2 Series

RRP £36,830Used from £26,490
Dacia Spring

Dacia Spring

RRP £14,995Avg. savings £1,827 off RRP*
Volkswagen Polo

Volkswagen Polo

RRP £15,060Avg. savings £1,704 off RRP*Used from £8,199
MG MG4

MG MG4

RRP £26,995Avg. savings £9,316 off RRP*Used from £12,495
* Average savings are calculated daily based on the best dealer prices on Auto Express vs manufacturer RRP
Skip advert
Advertisement

Have you considered?

BMW 2 Series Coupe review
BMW 2 Series Coupe - front tracking

BMW 2 Series Coupe review

In-depth reviews
15 Aug 2023
New BMW 2 Series 230i M Sport review
BMW 230i - front tracking

New BMW 2 Series 230i M Sport review

Road tests
24 Nov 2022
New BMW 220d M Sport Coupe 2022 review
BMW 220d M Sport Coupe-9

New BMW 220d M Sport Coupe 2022 review

Road tests
30 Sep 2022

Most Popular

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month
BYD Seal - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: BYD Seal – signed, sealed and delivered for less than £305 a month

The BYD Seal is a Tesla Model 3 rival, and a very good one at that. It’s our Deal of the Day for 31 March
News
31 Mar 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Only £245 per month for the 60mpg Renault Rafale coupé-SUV
Renault Rafale - front cornering

Car Deal of the Day: Only £245 per month for the 60mpg Renault Rafale coupé-SUV

Sleekly styled SUV comes with hybrid power and a competitive monthly price in our Deal of the Day for 29 March
News
29 Mar 2025
Car Deal of the Day: Hybrid-powered Peugeot 3008 for £208 per month
Peugeot 3008 Hybrid - front tracking

Car Deal of the Day: Hybrid-powered Peugeot 3008 for £208 per month

Peugeot’s sharply styled and hybrid-powered family car can be leased for as little as £208 per month in this deal
News
30 Mar 2025