Just when you thought you were getting to grips with BMW’s niche-busting model range, they go and announce a four-door coupe version of the 2 Series to run alongside the standard coupe, convertible, Active Tourer and Gran Tourer versions of the same car. Crikey.

BMW calls the new design a ‘notchback’, saying that success with the swoopy 3 and 6 Series Gran Turismos, as well as the 4 Series Gran Coupe, has led them to this point. Did the world really need another?

Well, the Gran Coupe apparently combines “a dynamic charisma and an expressive design with a high degree of everyday suitability in the premium compact segment”. Um, gotcha.

Anyway, perhaps the biggest news to come from the announcement is that the 2 Series Gran Coupe will sit on new BMW front-wheel drive architecture – something we expected for the upcoming 1 Series but had hoped the 2 Series would avoid.

Does this mean the rest of the 2 Series range will go FWD? Will we lose the profoundly excellent M2? All will be revealed as 2019 rumbles on.

For now, take a look at the teaser image above and let us know when you think car designers will run out of ideas for new body shapes…