THE BMW 220i M Sport unreservedly cuts against the grain — and quite rightly so.

The first reason is the 2 Series line-up. In typical BMW fashion the even number cars are coupés, but have a four-door variant called the Gran Coupé. In the case of the 2 Series, the standard car is a much-loved, front-engine, rear-wheel driven sports car. Its Gran Coupé variant is a front-engine, front-wheel-drive, four-door sedan that has no mechanical or visual connection to the regular 2 Series. This has been driving the BMW loyalists up the wall, not that the average buyer might be concerned about this on the showroom floor.

On to controversy two, styling. The previous 2 Series was an all-time favourite for many reasons, including its looks. For BMW fanatics, the compact muscular shape of the 2 Series harkened back to the brand’s legacy with traditional sports coupés. When the new car premiered there were questions on its styling direction. However, this is one of those cars that looks much better in the flesh than the pictures. Things are a bit angular but the 220i retains all the common classic cues of front-engine, rear-wheel-driven BMWs. It’s got the long, sweeping bonnet with muscular lines that flow gently into the short cabin. It gets plenty of attention, not only because it does look very good, but because as a sports coupé the 220i stands out in the sea of sport utility vehicles and average sedans on the street. This is not a car for the introvert.

BMW does know who this car is for and the interior reflects that. As usual, BMW’s keyless entry easily gets owners into the driver-focused cabin. It is comfortable for the front passengers as the material quality and design is premium. There is plenty of storage, and the rear seats are accessible via an electronic lever. A single pull puts the seat in motion. The sunroof, day or night, grants the inside an extra sense of space. Even at night there’s a unique element to the calming ambient lighting; open the door and it flashes red as a warning. The 220i is packed with all the BMW premium features found in its sedan counterparts — a wonderful infotainment system, a multitude of automatic and automated functions — but this is still a driver’s car, and that is true the second the accelerator is pushed with any aggression.

This is first felt in the suspension. The car is firm yet not unpleasant, making it a high potential as a daily driver. Once on a fun piece of road the 220i comes alive in even the most average of hands. Steering is sharp but delicate, allowing precision placement of the car. The handling at the limit is gradual, telegraphing all the grip it has to the driver without scaring, allowing corners to be tackled with pleasure, not fear. The 220i may be the starting point for the model, having only 184bhp from its 2-litre turbocharged four-cylinder, but it’s the true sweet spot. The engine is smooth and frugal enough for daily use, while delivering enough performance to be enjoyable for even the most inexperienced driver. Putting the transmission in sports mode and hitting the paddle shifters bring together the wonderful handling of the chassis and the engine’s power band in any situation.