2 Series BMW 2 series Gran Coupe (F44)

[Matski]

So proportionwise the A3 has the much better chances to look sportier.

Sportier than it's larger siblings with even bigger front overhangs perhaps, but it still remains in a situation where the overhang to vanity panel ratio is decidedly FWD looking. The 2GC, CLA and A3 all suffer from this, as do most FWD cars, as we've discussed before. In any case, it doesn't change that this isn't perceived as being a step back for Audi, which the 2GC is for BMW, despite being objectively pretty much the same.

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

Sportier than it's larger siblings with even bigger front overhangs perhaps, but it still remai...

That's exactly what I was trying to say. The A3 looks sportier than the A4.. etc and it can be considered as an advancement for its brand and the 2GC looks clumsier than the 3er.. etc

 

[Matski]

That's exactly what I was trying to say. The A3 looks sportier than the A4.. etc and it can be considered as an advancement for its brand and the 2GC looks clumsier than the 3er.. etc

Well then....


... I agree.

 

[braaf]

But BMW went a different route to Mercedes and Audi. They tried to offer something similar to the 4er GC and different to their competitors. This is the point I'm making.

People here need to realise that and stop chastising this car for what it's not.

I'm not delusional about this car. I have eyes and I can see that from some angles the car looks really awkward and from other angles it looks really good.

And let's not kid ourselves here. The A sedan is a terrible looking car salvaged only by the slightly better looking CLA.

Like I said before Audi have this segment in the bag.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I honestly can't see what they'd have learned from the A3 and CLA other than "try to make it lo...

Proportion.

 

[Matski]

Proportion.

I disagree, the differences come down to the surfacing and the details. The 2GC sits between the other two models and, IMHO isn't the worst in any one area. The CLA's overhang is the longest, the A3 wheelbase is the shortest, the A3's bonnet and boot are the shortest, the glasshouse profile is near enough the same across all three cars and the other differences are marginal.

The following gif aligns the profiles by the front, the front wheel centreline, the A pillar base, and the rear wheel centre line...

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

I disagree, the differences come down to the surfacing and the details. The 2GC sits between t...

Very interesting! Thanks for the analysis.

 

[Matski]

Very interesting! Thanks for the analysis.

I know when I do these things it only tells a part of the story, but I'm constantly surprised by some of the results. To me these comparisons don't say as much about proportions as much as they highlight how much the other aspects affect our judgement. As an example, I think most people think the ass-end of the 2GC is wrong, it looks too high, too stubby... whatever... and I agree.. but compared to an M4, look at where the differences are....

The height relative to everything that matters is about the same. The tail on the M4 is a little longer, and has the lip, the bumper appears higher, but more pronounced... but crucially the similarity in the boot lid height, and its relation to the glasshouse is so similar it's astonishing how different they actually look. In composing these last couple of posts, I've come to the conclusion the single biggest issue with the 2GC is probably down to the tail-lamp shape... trying to go slim on the 2GC just left them with too much space to fill, and to compound that, they dragged the bumper down, leaving even more of a void. I suspect the tail license plate location is a factor, but I've not investigated that yet.

 

[Munzmjs]

But BMW went a different route to Mercedes and Audi. They tried to offer something similar to t...

U must be buzzing on dat dere Corona Extra, or had too many of them Virus Vodkas, if you think the 2GC looks any good compared to the the new CLA.

Yes, FWD platform makes cars look oddly proportioned but the CLA is the best execution and BMW could have, would have, should have done a lot better than that.

 

[Shellshock]

only CLA and 2GC are competing ...since the audi doesnt offer still...a3sedan should be compared to the Aclass sedan..i wonder if Audi will offer a step down A7 to compete with these 2

 

[CrunchSlaughtered]

only CLA and 2GC are competing ...since the audi doesnt offer still...a3sedan should be com...

There was a plan for a 4 door TT in the past, that would exactly match the CLA and the 2GC. But since there's going to be no future TT generation it's only the A3 sedan to keep the fire burning.

 

[braaf]

U must be buzzing on dat dere Corona Extra, or had too many of them Virus Vodkas...

First thing, let's keep the Corona jokes out of here because if you are making jokes about a virus that kills people then that speaks volumes about your personality.

Secondly that's your opinion. The CLA is mildly better looking than the A Class sedan. That design should have stayed on the CLS because that what is was meant for.

 

[braaf]

I disagree, the differences come down to the surfacing and the details. The 2GC sits between t...

This just proves my point about the A3. Audi nailed it with this car. I also notice that the GC rear section is slightly higher and those extra mms could be the reason for it having those awkward angles.

The funny thing is I haven't seen the GC in the flesh yet.

 

[Betty Swollocks]

First thing, let's keep the Corona jokes out of here because if you are making jokes about a virus that kills people then that speaks volumes about your personality.

Oh give over.

 

[klier]

I know when I do these things it only tells a part of the story, but I'm constantly surprised b...

I love these drawings you make, but it only tells part of the story. In real life, a cm here or there can matter an aweful lot. Your sketches are just too crude (not your fault btw) to make a real life example of them. And the M4 vs 2 GC pretty much proves that. They are vastly different in real life, yet they almost look identical in your drawings.

 

[braaf]

I love these drawings you make, but it only tells part of the story. In real life, a cm here or the...

Exactly. Like i said in my previous post, there are mms between these cars in caertain areas and yet they look so different.

 

[bmwownage]

Unfortunately as always, I do feel that they have again deliberately make the car less appealing and akwardly more funky and silly than what it could be, to prevent cannibalization of 3 and 4 series. This was since the E87. A3, CLA/A sedan on the other hand shows no sign of this.

 

[Matski]

In real life, a cm here or there can matter an aweful lot.

Exactly. Like i said in my previous post, there are mms between these cars in caertain areas and yet they look so different.

I'd argue that in terms of discussions of overall proportions they actually don't. I reckon I could photoshop a bunch of pictures of existing models with the proportions of the shape altered a little bit and people really wouldn't notice. Centimeters in the detailing would probably be very noticeable, but a little bit on the general proportions here and there probably wouldn't.

To me, the fact these profiles are often so similar doesn't demonstrate how big the difference a few mm's in the profile makes, it demonstrates how important the surfacing and details in between are to the final appearance, they're the things that make the difference.

FWIW, I would do more comparisons with photos, or the configurator, but often the large number of variables in photography would largely negate opinions on centimeters here and there. Focal length and distance to subject can make so much difference. (.. and, y'know, having the time also).

 

[Matski]

Posts deleted, keep it on topic.

 

[dalab]

Black Shadow Edition: BMW 2er Gran Coupé

Black Shadow Edition: BMW 2er Gran Coupé ganz in Schwarz