Like with the 2 Series Active Tourer MPV that we drove at the same time (and reviewed prevously), you have to admire BMW. Why? Well, as well as producing excellent EVs, BMW are still developing and producing piston-powered models, filling what seems to be small niche areas of the market. Still, according to BMW, the UK was the second biggest market for the last first-generation 2 Series Coupe. Plus, this car continues BMW's fine tradition of producing iconic small coupes, with an excellent back catalogue running right from the 2002 in the 60s through to the last 2 Series that spawned the CS version of the M2, that will become a future classic.

More interesting, is that this time round, the 2 Series Coupe gets the same, modular CLAR platform that underpins current 3 and 4 Series models. The result is, the 2 Series Coupe has grown, with a total length of 4,537mm and width of 1,838mm - which is an increase of 105mm and 64mm respectively. The car is also 28mm lower, but has a 51mm longer wheelbase at 2,741mm.

Outside, in our opinion, the 2 Series Coupe is the best-looking new BMW for some time. At the front, the headlights are a distinctive "one-eye" design (think 2002 if you can remember that far back!) and the kidney grilles are not too large and feature a turbine design. The grilles also work well with the angular angles of the front airdam. 

At the side, the long bonnet is in complete contrast to the stubby tail, but the highlights are the bulging arches, that make you wonder what BMW M will do to make the inevitable next M2 stand out from this car. At the back, the rear lights are pushed to the corners of the bulging arches and there's a chunky built-in rear spoiler.   

Inside, the 2 Series Coupe feels like a shorter 4 Series, which it effectively is. The dash, infotainment and even the seats are the same. No problem in the front, as the driving position is excellent and the seats supportive. It is the opposite in the back, as only children will really be comfortable due to the lack of legroom. Still, the 2 Series Coupe's boot now has 20 more litres of space, taking it to 390.  

A trio of engines are available in the 2 Series Coupe, mated with seven-speed automatic transmission. The flagship M240i xDrive is powered by the most powerful 3.0l six-cylinder in-line petrol engine with four-wheel drive.  Producing 374hp, this is 34hp more than its predecessor. With 500Nm peak torque available from 1,900-5,000rpm and 0 to 62mph acceleration takes just 4.3 seconds.

More fleet-friendly is the 220i, which is powered by the latest version of the familiar 2.0l TwinPower Turbo petrol. Here, this means 184hp, 300Nm of torque, 0-62mph acceleration in 7.5 seconds, yet it emits 144-155g/km emissions, achieves 44.8mpg and a 34% BiK rate for the M Sport version we drove. 

Diesel is expected to have the lowest proportion of the mix, but the new BMW 220d Coupe is fitted with a 2.0l four-cylinder diesel engine, that like the petrol has undergone extensive development. With 190hp and 400Nm, the new 220d accelerates from 0 to 62mph in 6.9 seconds, while returning 60.1mpg with emissions of just 122-132g/km. 

Available in M Sport trim, the 2 Series Coupe can be further enhanced with the M Sport package Pro. This includes M Sport brakes, 19-ins M light-alloy wheels, M High-gloss Shadow Line with extended features, the M lights Shadow Line, a black M rear spoiler, Steptronic Sport transmission, the harman/kardon hi-fi speaker system and even M seat belts. You can go even further with additional M Performance parts, which are also available. 

The big surprise, considering M Sport is the standard trim and those standard 19ins wheels, is how comfortable and composed the 220i feels on the road. The steering is precise with decent weight, and body control is as good as you'd expect in corners.