What's all this about?

It's the next-generation BMW 2 Series Coupe. It replaces the current car, which has been on sale since 2014, and is a sportier sibling to the 1 Series hatchback. However, unlike the latest incarnation of the 1 Series, and the four-door 2 Series Gran Coupe that arrived in 2019, the new 2 Series Coupe hasn't moved to a front-wheel-drive platform. Instead it uses an adapted version of the 'CLAR' platform seen under the 3 Series Saloon and 4 Series Coupe. That means the 2 Series Coupe is longer and wider than the old car, but it also means it's available with BMW's traditional rear-wheel-drive layout.

Excellent news! What else is there?

Well, the top-spec model at launch is the M240i, and as before this comes with a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six engine, this time tuned to make 374hp. However, unlike the last M240i, this one comes with xDrive four-wheel drive. Total traction means that the 0-62mph sprint takes just 4.3 seconds, and the system has a rear-biased set-up so that the car's finely balanced handling remains, while four-wheel drive adds an extra level of security when grip is low.

Standard kit on the M240i includes 19-inch alloys, plus a more aggressive body kit and unique accents. Under the skin there's a stiffer chassis and a wider track than the regular model front and rear, an M Sport differential and beefier brakes, while adaptive dampers are available as an option. As with all 2 Series models, power is fed to the wheels via an eight-speed auto gearbox. The M240i will be the flagship at launch, but we can expect an even faster M2 Coupe, which uses the M240i as a starting point, to arrive at a later date.

The only other two variants at launch are the 220i and 220d, both with 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines. The petrol model makes 184hp and manages up to 44.8mpg on the WLTP test cycle, while the diesel makes 190hp and is more efficient, recording up to 60.1mpg, depending on specification. As already mentioned, both cars come with an eight-speed auto as standard, while M Sport will be the sole trim available in the UK.

Does the 2 Series share the looks of the 4 Series?

It's fair to say that the larger 4 Series Coupe's front end split opinion, but perhaps BMW has been stung by the criticism, because the 2 Series looks a little more conventional. The grille has a far less divisive layout, stretching across the nose of the car, rather than down into the front apron. It's flanked by compact LED headlight units that are said to be inspired by BMW's classic 02 models of the sixties and seventies. That grille has active vanes that can open and close to boost cooling or aerodynamic efficiency as needed, while the lower air intakes are claimed to improve airflow around the front of the car.

The rest of the 2 Series Coupe is largely conventional and certainly won't put off existing owners. It's a similar story inside, where the dashboard shares its layout and technology with the larger 4 Series. That means the latest connectivity is offered, as well as crisp digital displays and BMW's user-friendly iDrive infotainment control system.

The new 2 Series Coupe arrives in UK dealers early in 2022 priced from £34,980 on-the-road.