{"id":82317,"date":"2025-05-09T09:26:02","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T13:26:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=82317"},"modified":"2025-05-09T09:26:02","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T13:26:02","slug":"bmw-2-series-gran-coupe-long-wheelbase-video","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/autosector.com\/?p=82317","title":{"rendered":"Big In China: We Filmed The Longer BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe"},"content":{"rendered":"

BMW aficionados know that \u201cF87\u201d is the internal codename for the first-generation M2. Flip the digits, and you get an entirely different car. The \u201cF78\u201d shares virtually nothing with the nimble, rear-wheel-drive coupe. Instead, it refers to the long-wheelbase 2 Series Gran Coupe.<\/p>\n

Built in China for the local market, the stretched 2 GC made its auto show debut at Auto Shanghai. We were there to get a closer look at a car BMW likely won\u2019t offer elsewhere. That said, the 1 Series Sedan (\u201cF52\u201d)<\/a> it replaces did make its way to Mexico, so never say never. Compared to the standard \u201cF74\u201d 2 Series Gran Coupe sold globally, this longer variant adds 4.3 inches (110 mm) to the wheelbase.<\/p>\n

BMW\u2019s entry-level Gran Coupe now rides on a 109.4-inch (2780 mm) wheelbase, stretching 183.5 inches (4663 mm) overall. For perspective, the China-only 2 Series Gran Coupe is longer than an E28<\/a>-era 5 Series. Our walkaround video clearly shows the elongated rear frameless doors, hinting at improved legroom for back-seat passengers. The rear bench has also been re-angled and fitted with extra cushioning for enhanced comfort.<\/p>\n

The \u201cF78\u201d on display wasn\u2019t just any version, since BMW brought the hotter M Performance variant. Wearing an M235L badge, it features the same annoying styling detail we\u2019ve seen on the global model: the \u201cM\u201d and \u201c2\u201d are the same size, while the remaining characters are smaller. To the untrained eye, it could easily be mistaken for a four-door M2, which it obviously is not.<\/p>\n

BMW is pricing the M235L Gran Coupe at 363,900 RMB (around $50,000) in China, or about the same as the standard-wheelbase version in the United States. However, the U.S. model has a performance edge, packing 312 horsepower versus 296 hp in the Chinese version. That\u2019s because the China-spec model uses a detuned B48 engine, the same as its European counterpart.<\/p>\n

The \u201cF78\u201d joins a growing list of stretched BMWs sold in China, including the X1, X3<\/a>, and X5 crossovers and the 3 Series and 5 Series sedans.<\/p>\n