It’s not too often that I have to double-check that a new car really is what it claims to be. However, in the case of the new BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé, I’ve had to triple-check. Now, I know that to the untrained eye, the 1 Series and the 2 Series Gran Coupé may look almost identical, but to eyes that appreciate the slightly different front bumpers and sloping roofline — such as mine — the differences were a nice thing to see. It’s much like how the Mercedes-Benz CLA looks noticeably different from the A-Class on which it is based, although non-car people would still spot the resemblance before going back to watching TV programmes about baking cakes, or whatever it is non-car people do in their spare time.

Now though, with the facelifted 2 Series Gran Coupé — which is not to be confused with the 2 Series Coupé that has two doors and a completely different chassis, the 2 Series Active Tourer, which is a tall hatchback, or the 2 Series Gran Tourer, which is slightly larger than the Active Tourer — the 1 Series’s more stylish sibling has been brought in line with the hatchback on which it is based. The entire front bumper is identical, and the “smiling face” of the old model has been turned upside down. The slimline headlights are exactly the same, the side sills appear to be shared, and I’m sure some new examples might slip through the net with a 1 badge on the boot lid as opposed to a 2.

I know that a family look is what every manufacturer wants, but if this is how closely related the family is supposed to appear, I would renumber the model and bring it back into the 1 Series range. The reasoning behind this must be cost-saving: sharing parts saves money and allows for lower-volume models like this to justify their existence. The 1 and 2 Series are based on the same UKL platform, which means they share the same mounting points for lights, bumpers, engines, transmissions, and exhausts. To apply some internet logic to this platform sharing, the 2 Series Gran Coupé is essentially a Mini Countryman, and the Toyota Supra is identical to the BMW Z4, even though all the models I’ve just mentioned look nothing alike.

So, after telling you how it’s a shame that the car has had its originality taken away, am I going to fall into the easy trap of panning BMW’s design department for the sake of it because the car looks too similar to the one on which it’s based? No. In fact, it has a much nicer lower character line in my opinion, and the fastback profile looks fantastic. Four exhaust pipes suit the M235 performance model better than two, but I fear I’ll be confusing it with the Kia Ceed for the next few months…

With the obligatory BMW design analysis out of the way, allow me to tell you about the powertrain, which continues the theme of being the same, but different. The artist formerly known as the M235i now only has one letter in its alphanumeric name, taking on the title of M235. This is a result of BMW’s naming strategy shift, reserving the letter 'i' for fully electric cars like the i4. The M235 sticks to the modern hot hatch formula by having around 300 bhp, front-biased all-wheel drive, and an automatic transmission. Owing to some tweaks to keep the car compliant with emission regulations, the 2.0-litre turbocharged engine develops 296 bhp and 295 lb-ft (400 Nm), meaning it’s down 10 bhp and 37 lb-ft (50 Nm) and one ratio compared to its predecessor, as it now uses a seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

A 0-62 time of 4.9 seconds and a top speed of 155 mph are more than adequate in the real world and will allow the new M235 to keep pace with the quickest form of weekend traffic: a fully laden Kia Sportage on its way to the seaside. Good handling is assured by the variable all-wheel drive system, along with the stiffer body, new anti-roll bars, and standard-fit M Adaptive suspension. For those as keen on track runs as B-road blasts, the optional M Dynamic Pack adds 19-inch lightweight forged alloy wheels, enlarged brakes, and a track-optimised (read that as stiffer) chassis setup. Two-piece M Sport seats, tinted headlight lenses, and black exhaust tips complete the package.

Although I raise an eyebrow when two distinctly separate models are similarly styled on the outside, I tend not to complain about shared interiors. The facelifted 2 Series Gran Coupé makes use of BMW’s curved double-screen infotainment, running the 9th generation of their iDrive software. This customisable system is home to navigation, media, performance readouts, and all the air conditioning controls, as is obligatory for a car being launched in this part of the market in 2024. Large paddles sit behind the multifunction steering wheel, looking much more tactile than the stubby gear selector switch that replaces the upright gear lever of old.

My favourite cabin detail is the decorative stitching in the BMW M tricolour, which is found on the dashboard. Three-piece seats come as standard, but two-piece M Sport seats are available, carrying the M stripe theme on their backrests.

Rear-seat occupants will have slightly less headroom than they would in the straight-roofed 1 Series hatchback, but they will get to see my favourite design feature on their way to the rear bench: the number 2 stamped into the window trim. While the wheelbase remains at 2,760 mm, the car is stretched by 185 mm behind the rear axle, gaining an extra 50 litres of boot capacity. The rear seats can also be folded down to accommodate longer items. Along with the extra length, the 4.5-metre-long M235 is 25 kg heavier than its hatchback stablemate, coming in at 1,650 kg.

UK pricing and specifications have already been announced, with the new 2024 BMW M235 Gran Coupé starting from £44,635, making it £1,035 more expensive than the M135 hatchback. Standard equipment includes M Adaptive suspension, heated front seats, rear privacy glass, the Harman Kardon surround sound system, and much more. A Ken-spec example rises to £53,510 with skyscraper grey paint, adaptive headlights, the M Dynamic Pack, and a startling standalone option of £780 for dual-zone climate control.

The first examples of the new M235 Gran Coupé are set to reach UK roads in April 2025. Having seen both the refreshed M135 and the largely identically styled M235, would I still favour the larger, more expensive four-door over the more popular hatchback? Yes, because it still has that lovely roofline. The new M235 is the same, but different — although that’s nothing new. In fact, I think it always was.