2023 BMW 220d M Sport Coupé G42

Keeping it simple, the 220d matches rear-drive character with efficiency

When we sampled the current halo model in the G42 BMW 2 Series line-up – the six-cylinder M240i xDrive Coupé G42 – in an DrivesToday road test, we were impressed yet slightly concerned regarding how comprehensive a performer it was given its role as an entrée to what promises to be an eagerly awaited new M2. On the foundations of the M240i’s showing, it had better be. In light of what looks to be minimal room to manoeuvre at the top, we felt it prudent to see what life was like at the entry point to the new 2 Series pile.

While the tone of this test’s opening paragraph may sound ominous for the 220d’s chances to impress, there’s lots to like here. It certainly delivers in terms of styling; its M Sport styling kit closely adheres to the compact but purposeful stance struck by the M240i, right down to the identical 19-inch rims and Pirelli P Zero footwear. The cabin is also similar, albeit finished in a much darker hue than the M240i’s saddle tan-seated arrangement.

The illuminated tricolour M motifs add a little visual pizzazz to proceedings, well-bolstered seats offer a snug but ergonomically spot-on driving position and the car features solid fittings throughout, although the rear bench is probably better suited to transporting kids and shopping than moving adult occupants. The main areas of the 220d’s digression from its six-cylinder big brother are under the bonnet and at the front axle. The former plays host to BMW’s long-serving B47D20 four-cylinder turbodiesel unit and the latter is bereft of any connection to the former – this model adopts a traditional BMW rear-wheel-drive layout, as opposed to the M240i’s AWD setup.

BMW purists will no doubt be glad to see a rear-driven G42 model, if only as an historically accurate counter to the firm’s increasing move towards all and front-wheel drivetrain arrangements. In all honesty, when eyeing a RWD sportscar, drivers are typically thinking of two things: the sensation of balance and connectedness such an arrangement potentially affords, and (cue cartoon devil on shoulder) the opportunity to step out the tail and aerosolise some rear tyres.

In terms of the car’s driving dynamics, the 220d definitely delivers. Throw it at a section of twisting blacktop with any degree of enthusiasm and it entertains with plenty of feel from the tiller and just the right amount of padding between driver and chassis to ensure you know at all times what the car is doing underneath you. With a 100 kg reduction in kerb weight and ever-so- slightly better front-to-rear weight distribution than the M240i, the 220d feels poised at any attitude. There’s that oldschool BMW feel of less dilution and more driver involvement present here, and it will put a smile on your face.

The 8-speed transmission may not have the wealth of torque it can bounce off to make manual shifting the blink-of-an-eye action it is in the six-cylinder car, but it’s sufficiently responsive and hooks into the right ratio without fail. As expected, turn-in under hard cornering is accurate, but the plentiful grip from those Pirellis means you’d have to do some downright Neanderthal pedal stomping and steering wheel sawing mid-corner to provoke the tail into anything other than a hint of squirrelling when exiting the apex.

With 140 kW and 400 N.m on tap, the 2,0-litre B47D20’s outputs are par for the segment. However, the contrast of its measured swell of power and torque delivery against a chassis willing to play means it may not titillate those looking to drive hard. The engine’s modest outputs will probably not set the tarmac alight, but our 6,93-second zero-to-100 km/h acceleration run under testing bested the manufacturer’s 7,0- second claim. Although we never matched the 4,8 litres/100 km claimed fuel consumption, the 6,28 showing on our mixed-use fuel route and 5,76 CAR fuel index suggest you should get around 850 km between visits to the pumps.

Away from the back roads, the 220d is a refined motorway cruiser compact and punchy enough to make town-bound dawdling a doddle. Even with its taut suspension and 40-35 front/rear profile footwear, the ride is well damped and does a respectable job of resisting jostle on bumpy surfaces.

TEST SUMMARY

There will be those who shake their heads at the idea a car of the 220d’s mechanical means would be meant for anything other than a bit of show. It’s impressive in its own right: entertaining, visually arresting, solidly constructed and impressively frugal. As much as we have our reservations with regard to the monumental task assigned to the M2 to prise open a meaningful gap between it and the superb M240i, we have to wonder if the divide between 220d and M240i is perhaps a little too pronounced.

It’s charming and engaging (and nearly R200 000 less than the M240i), but given the yawning gap in outputs between the 220d and M240i (145 kW and 100 N.m), it raises the question: Could BMW have opted for the 165 or even 170 kW versions of the 2,0-litre turbodiesel? Neither would tread on the M240i’s toes and the chassis could handle the additional power and twist, perhaps making the diesel 2 Coupé an even more compelling product.

01 The cabin is user-friendly and spacious for front passengers with good adjustability in the driving position. 02 Easily accessible drive mode buttons on the centre console are a pleasure to use on themove. 03 Seats are well bolstered, comfortable and supportive and can happily be used for long distances. 04With 400 N.mavailable from1 750 r/min, rolling performance is impressive.

Engaging – both aesthetically and from behind the wheel – and will meet most provisos, but a little more power would’ve made it great Gareth Dean

All the performance most people will need, and you won’t pay the price at the pumps Kyle Kock

TECHNICAL DATA G42 BMW 220d M SPORT COUPÉ

• Built in Mexico

ENGINE

• Cylinders: four, inline, longitudinal
• Fuel supply: electronic common-rail direct injection, turbocharged, intercooled, diesel
• Bore/stroke: 84,0/90,0 mm
• Cubic capacity: 1 995 cm3
• Compression ratio: 16,5 to 1
• Valvegear: d-o-h-c, four valves per cylinder

ENGINE OUTPUT

• Max power ISO: 140 kW
• Power peak/Red line: 4 000/5 000 r/min
• Max torque: 400 N.m
• Torque peak: 1 750-2 500 r/min

TRANSMISSION

• Type: eight-speed automatic
• 1st gear/2nd gear: 5,25/3,36 to 1
• 3rd gear/4th gear: 2,17/1,72 to 1
• 5th gear/6th gear: 1,32/1,00 to 1
• 7th gear/Top gear: 0,82/0,64 to 1
• Reverse gear: 3,71 to 1
• Final drive: 2,81 to 1
• Drive wheels: rear
• Driver aids: ESC (electronic stability control), hill start

BRAKES

• Front: 370 mm ventilated discs
• Rear: 340 mm ventilated discs
• Hydraulics: ABS with EBD and EBA

WHEELS AND TYRES

• Tyre make: Pirelli P Zero
• Tyre size(f;r): 235/35 R19;255/35 R19
• Spare – type and location: none, mobility kit

STEERING

• Type: rack and pinion, electric power assist
• Lock to lock: 2,1 turns
• Turning circle diameter: 11,1 m

SUSPENSION

• Front: independent, MacPherson struts, coil springs, anti-roll bar
• Rear: independent, multilink, coil springs, anti-roll bar

WARRANTY & SERVICE INTERVALS

• 2-year/unlimited km warranty
• 5-year/100 000 km maintenance plan
• Services according to onboard computer

PARTS PRICES*

• Oil filter: R283,38
• Air filter: R599,46
• Left headlamp: R21 363,94
• Left rear tyre: R3 299,00
• Windscreen: R5 047,30
• Brake pads (front set): R2 344,32
• Camchain (incl. tensioner): R3 287,37
• Total parts basket: R36 224,77

TEST RESULTS

Test conditions**: Ambient temp/barometric press: 19 °C/1 016 hPa Test car’s odometer: 5 847 km

TOP SPEED

Manufacturer’s figure: 237 km/h

SPEEDO CALIBRATION (true speed)

• 60 80 100 120
• 58 77 96 115

Odometer error: 0,50% over

ACCELERATION (sec)

• 0–60 0–80 0–100 0–120 0–140
• 3,17 4,83 6,93 9,74 13,3

OVERTAKING ACCELERATION (sec)

• 40–60 - 1,52
• 60–80 - 1,77
• 80–100 - 2,53
• 100–120 - 3,04
• 120–140 - 3,66
• Power/mass: 90 W/kg
• Power/litre: 70 kW/litre
• Torque/litre: 201 N.m/litre
• Cabin noise level at idle: 41 dB
• Engine speed (at true 120 km/h in top gear): 1 786 r/min

BRAKING TEST

• Best/worst stop: 2,67/2,88
• Average of 10 stops/rating: 2,80/excellent
• Average stopping distance: 38,30 m
• 10 stops from 100 km/h measured in seconds.

FUEL CONSUMPTION

• Fuel tank: 51 litres
• Est. tank range (fuel index): 885 km
• Taxable CO2 rating: 125 g/km

PERFORMANCE FACTORS

• Power/mass: 90 W/kg Power/litre: 70 kW/litre
• Torque/litre: 201 N.m/litre Cabin noise level at idle: 41 dB
• Engine speed (at true 120 km/h in top gear): 1 786 r/min

FEATURES CHECKLIST

Airbags: front/side/curtain Air-con: dual-zone climate Audio system: radio/aux-in/USB/Bluetooth/Android Auto/Apple CarPlay Cruise control: standard Sat-nav: standard Park assist: optional Windows: all-electric Trip computer: standard Driver seat adjust:manual Folding rear seat: 40:20:40 split Upholstery: part-leather Isofix anchorages: outer rear Steering adjust: rake + reach Steering audio controls: standard Tyre sensors: standard Wipers auto-on: standard Headlamps auto-on: standard Head-up display: no

At 1 554 kg, the 220d is 175 kg lighter than the M240i, assisting with its agile character.