At the Malaysian launch of the F45 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, two units of the five-seater, front-wheel drive MPV were exhibited – a Standard trim unit with an automatic transmission and a Luxury Line model with a manual gearbox. No surprise then that news of a manual-equipped people mover were quickly dissipated by the enthusiasts and dismissed by the jaded, who were convinced such a setup would never sell.
This time round, it appears that the enthusiasts will be able to have their cake and eat it as a check revealed that the BMW 218i Active Tourer Luxury is indeed on sale with a six-speed manual transmission for RM228,800 OTR without insurance – RM20k off the original Luxury trim list price.
Interested parties are advised to plonk their orders down as soon as possible as limited units will be available – batches of the automatic transmission-equipped Luxury models are due to arrive in June 2015.
To recap, the BMW 218i Active Tourer Luxury is equipped with a 1.5 litre TwinPower Turbo petrol three-cylinder engine (the one found on the BMW i8). Power figures include 136 hp at 4,500 to 6,000 rpm and 220 Nm of torque between 1,250 and 4,300 rpm, 230 Nm on overboost. Equipped with the said automatic gearbox, the 218i AT sprints from 0-100 km/h in 9.2 seconds and hits a top speed of 205 km/h.
While standard equipment across the range include auto start/stop, LED headlights with daytime running lights, a 6.5-inch monitor with reverse camera, auto air-con and an electronic parking brake, the Luxury trim adds on 18-inch Y-spoke wheels, Comfort Access, Park Assistant and an auto tailgate.
Inside, Leather Dakota upholstery is presented alongside a 205-watt, seven speaker audio system. Curiously, steering wheel audio controls are not featured on the Luxury variants. A two-year/unlimited mileage warranty and a three-year/60,000 km BS+RI package is included.
So, to those who have proclaimed to everyone that they would gladly purchase a manual transmission-equipped BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, time to put your money where your mouth is.
BMW 218i Active Tourer Luxury
BMW 218i Active Tourer Standard
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Time of “ultimate machine” has became the past.
Only brainless people will buy this shit and burn their money for nothing. Smart ppl will get a Proton. Proton now as good as BMW.
So rare BMW sell MT in Malaysia
A manual van!
A MANUAL VANNNNNN!
11/10 will buy. Now, what do you say of a Manual 228i Coupe eh?
I’m more delighted that there is a RM20k price reduction for a manual. The Luxury spec has quite a number of goodies in it so it’s a steal if you ask me.
what goodies? i havent heard of a car with no steering audio selections for a long time (except porsche)
Manual gearboxes are cheaper. Though it seems a bit much.
It is a very odd choice though. Out of all BMW cars they take the MPV in the “luxury” spec and make it manual? Wouldn’t the regular 3 series, 2 series etc. be more fitting? I mean, if you wanted a BMW, I don’t think you’ll go for a manual cause it is cheaper. You’d rather spend a bit more if you want auto. Manual in this price class should be cause you actually want it.
Easy.
You see, chances are, either one of the two happened.
1. Someone in BMW Malaysia accidentally ordered the cars as manuals instead of autos without realising – oh snap, they are manuals when they landed in KL!
2. In the issue of BMW Malaysia not being able to get sufficient auto cars for the launch, they had to resort to manuals to get the cars in for the launch.
However this may not be the case, BMW may have thought they could try out a manual perhaps? Cause by law in Malaysia, for any model to be sold, all engine and transmission combinations have to be approved by JPJ, or else it is impossible for them to get a plate on for the car.
Now you may ask how is it the greys like the Alphard, R35GTR etc get through? Same story, they are all type approved already, the greys know how strong the demand for it that they themselves did it.
last time i asked salesman and he/she said no plan to bring MT here in the future, now on sale already
haih, disappointed to the salesman
only a dumb person would believe a sales person for a corporate queation
but anyway,very very happy for this option in Malaysia.
If you not believe SA meaning you not believe Jib gor..
Wow.
Yay…. MT is finally available,nay… bcoz it fitted to fwd bmw family van
who still drives Manual nowadays?
i dont get it…least sporty bmw comes with a manual =.= anyhow thumbs up for actually bringing bmw’s very good manual to malaysia
We want manual, but not on a mpv.
BMW is making serious mistake.
They don’t even offer Manual on their Mini, and they choose this model?
The management should be fired.
I don’t see anything wrong by offering manual on MPV. But you’re right about not to offer manual transmission on other type of cars like 3 series and Mini.
Maybe BMW is testing the market response for manual transmission. If there’s enough takers, don’t be surprised future BMWs will have manual gearbox as option.
wrong car to test…nobody who is going to buy a 2 series van would want a manual
ok ok.. the car is great.. it is a BMW.. but the price here in Malaysia is crazy.. out of this world..
Dear BMW,
Good that a manual is offered. May I suggest the notion that it’s on the wrong car?
What kind of safety equipments does this car come with?
My friend’s BMW has only 4 airbags, stability control and nothing else!! I think many local and Japanese cars has much better safety equipments!
Isn’t that something unacceptable for premium German cars??
I’d love to know, which BMW model is there.
There has not been a single BMW model made after 2002 without 6 airbags. All 1 series, all E65 and on 7 series, all E60 and on 5 series, all E90 and on 3 series, all 2, 4 series, E70 X5, they all have 6 airbags. Unless you are talking of some old BMW, then nope, you are wrong.
On the other hand, VW does do the whole 4 airbags, where instead of a curtain, they do a combined side+head airbag for the driver and front passenger, essentially 4 bags, but the combined bags give almost the same as a side + curtain bag protection for the front in 1 piece. Mini does the same too for the Coopers (not the countryman though).
The Z4 and 4-Series convertible has 4 airbags.
316i is waaaaaaaaay more luxurious than this car with no steering wheel controls and electronic shift lever.
Maybe some Aunties want to drive a Manual BMW MPV.
so ugly this compact/squashed MPV.
Why is it Front Wheel Drive?
even the Toyota Avanza 1.5L is a Rear Wheel Drive.
So called Luxury but give Kosong Steering Wheel like Low Spec Honda Kosong Steering wheel.
Overpriced BMW 1.5L Turbo… it should be rear wheel drive at the first place.