This hottie blends excitement and comfort

BMW launched its 2 Series Coupé models in KwaZulu-Natal this week and the emphasis was on excitement - and comfortable touring.

What is it?

The two-door, four-seat 2 Series Coupé is going to be important for BMW in maintaining, even reinforcing, the brand's sporty image.

How does it look?

Excluding the X6, there hasn't been an ugly BMW for a long time. The 2 Series Coupé is probably better looking than the 1 Series.

What's it like to drive?

Journalists were introduced to the 2 Series's "halo car", the M235i, at the Dezzi Raceway near Port Shepstone, about 120km southwest of Durban.

We were given turns to hurl the little fire-spitter around a tight circuit and a good time was had by all - to the sound of squealing rubber and bystanders and roaring exhausts.

The car was a six-speed manual version to add spice to the challenge. Switching off the traction control ratcheted the fun still higher.

The in-line, six-cylinder, three-litre M Performance TwinPower Turbo motor gave as good as it got and this model will have the buyers lining up.

Of course, the rear-wheel-drive, in this and other BMWs, gives the handling a special character.

This was reinforced when, that afternoon and the next morning, we drove the 2-litre, four-cylinder 220i and 220d over more than 300km of rural roads and highways. The route included beautifully twisty bits and fast sweeps so that the diesel and petrol models were able to show off their famous BMW responsiveness, aided by the outstandingly quick eight-speed auto gearboxes.

Any special features?

So many, all adding to ease of use and gladdening the hearts of driver and passengers on any journey.

The instrument panel has a comfortably familiar feel to it - but you have to lower the steering wheel, or peer over it, to see the trip meter.

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These cars are tempting propositions. Although the M235i is the hottie, the other two are both exciting to drive. I'd spend the extra R20000 on the sport auto gearboxes.