Two weeks ago, BMW Group Malaysia teased the new F44 2 Series Gran Coupé by showcasing camouflaged versions of the car in public. Now, the compact four-door coupé has been launched in Malaysia, providing some competition to both the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan and this car’s main rival, the CLA.
For now, there will be just one variant available, the 218i M Sport, priced at RM211,367 on-the-road without insurance. Assembled locally in Kulim, Kedah, the car is eligible for a full exemption of the sales and service tax (SST); with SST, the price is RM218,800. Included is a five-year, unlimited-mileage warranty and a five-year free service package.
Powering the 218i is a 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 140 PS from 4,600 to 6,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque between 1,480 and 4,200 rpm. It is paired to a seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission and sends its power to the front wheels; so equipped, the car gets from zero to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and has a top speed of 213 km/h. Fuel consumption is rated at 5.9 litres per 100 km.
The 2 Series Gran Coupé is quite different from the rear-wheel-drive two-door Coupé – it’s essentially a booted version of the front-drive 1 Series. Design highlights include angled headlights that flank a conjoined trapezoidal double kidney grille, a frameless six-window glasshouse, and a short rear end with slim L-shaped tail lights, a gloss black horizontal strip and fake air vents.
On top of this, the M Sport package adds an aggressive front bumper design with larger air intakes, deeper side skirts and a sportier rear bumper with a dark grey diffuser-like insert. The single exhaust pipe on the left denotes the 218i as a three-cylinder model – four-cylinder variants get dual tailpipes instead. Full LED headlights, LED fog lights and 18-inch double-spoke style 819 M alloy wheels come as standard.
Inside, the 2 Series Gran Coupé shares the same basic dashboard design with the 1 Series, with an angular design, silvered switchgear, controls that are clustered according to their functions, and ambient lighting embedded in the Illuminated Boston silver decorative trim. Here, the M Sport kit adds an M leather-wrapped steering wheel, M-badged scuff plates and M-specific metal pedals.
As for infotainment, the 218i gets the base BMW Live Cockpit Plus system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen, an analogue instrument cluster with a 5.1-inch multi-info display, and the previous-generation iDrive 6.0 operating system. Unfortunately, Apple CarPlay functionality isn’t fitted from the factory (you can purchase it as an add-on), but you do get navigation, a Qi wireless smartphone charger and six speakers.
The list of standard equipment also includes keyless entry, push-button start, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, power-adjustable sports seats with driver’s side memory, Dakota leather upholstery, a reverse camera and a hands-free opening bootlid.
Safety-wise, the 218i is fitted with the Driving Assistant package, throwing in autonomous emergency braking, lane departure warning, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. The Parking Assistant function is also available, complete with a Reversing Assistant.
In terms of chassis technology, the 2 Series Gran Coupé gets the 1 Series’ near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB), an advanced traction control system that is integrated into the ECU to react more quickly and precisely. There’s also BMW Performance Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) that use the brakes to simulate torque vectoring and a limited-slip differential respectively. Passive M Sport suspension is fitted as standard on the 218i.
Colour options available are Alpine White, Black Sapphire, Melbourne Red, Snapper Rocks Blue and Storm Bay, with black (with blue stitching and M tricolour striping) being the only choice available for the interior. Browse full specifications and equipment on CarBase.my.
The 2 Series Gran Coupé arrives at an interesting time for the compact premium segment, with the CLA now only available in full-fat AMG CLA 45 S form. Local assembly also means that the 218i undercuts the A 200 Sedan slightly while offering a comparable level of standard equipment, albeit with slightly less power. What do you think about the price and specs? Sound off in the comments after the jump.
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Very good looking car. The colour is nice too.
(Like) Sexy
(Dislike) Meh?
BMW 2Series 140ps VS Honda Civic 180ps
Copy and Paste: “ But buying civic, will make people more racun”
Such a sexy and beautiful car for a little Rm200k
This car will wipe out Mercedes A and B class completely.
Not forgetting our Proton X70 sales also….ha ha h aha ha ha h aha ha
Comparing a luxury coupe with everyday SUV? You sound like high on something with that ha has.
Salah, it should be:
Such a sexy and beautiful car for a little Rm200k
This car will wipe out Mercedes A and B class completely.
Not forgetting our Accord, CRV, Odyssey sales also….
This car will sell really well. Well done BMW for giving such reasonable price.
Now BMW and Proton X70 gap also getting so close. Somemore BMW always sell pre reg and give 7% corporate discount whilst Proton never less one sen.
For example it may be …. RM123k vs RM170k (after pre reg or 7% discount)
That so pensipp and 140ps so weak. Better get that Skoda Octavia vRS dem powah 245PS, saved RM50K summore… missed my old Superb.
Owning a BMW is not about power. It is about class and prestige and quality of ride as well as comfort.
Nobody beats a BMW or a Mercedes in terms of comfort.
BMW for comfort? Hahah try that e90 you will know why it’s driver car
civic Turbo lg laju kot…
But buying civic, will make people more racun
Rating for Civic
Tech – 3/10
Safety – 4/10
Quality – 1/10
Design – 4/10
Performance – 7/10
Overall: Fail (19/50) – Grade E
Rating for 2 ‘gran’ ‘coupe’
Tech – 4/10
Safety – 4/10
Quality – 1/10
Design – 1/10
Performance – 5/10
Space – 5/10
Comfort – 8/20
Handling – 12/20
Overall: Fail (30/100) – Grade E
Benchmarked your Grade E Failed civic
218i = 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, producing 140 PS from 4,600 to 6,500 rpm and 220 Nm of torque between 1,480 and 4,200 rpm
vs
X50 TGDI turbo three-cylinder engine, which makes 177 PS at 5,500 rpm and 255 Nm of torque from 1,500 to 4,000 rpm.
BMW has such weak engine compared to China car.
Both come with 1.5L At least BMW 218i Twinpower turbocharged engine (140PS & 220NM) have more power than Honda Accord i-vtec turbocharged engine (201PS & 260NM) that BMW 218i accelerated faster and high top speed than Accord
lol isnt 201 ps and 260nm more than 140ps and 220nm?
(Like) BMW 218i Sport
(Dislike) Honda Accord 1.5T
140 ps
Slower than my car LOLOLOL
90K more pensip too LOLOLOLO
1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine
First time to have CKD 2 series. Well done
premium price for premium badge, different status
nice car
So if 118i was actually launched, the price of it will be 200k?
If it’s in CKD form, yes. Would make the A200 obsolete with its bare bones basic spec.
Ok wonderful specs
Beauty Design
RM211k for a BMW front wheel drive car and 140 ps only. Seriously?
But faster than Accord
At least BMW gives proper leather seats, unlike Merc which gives artificial Artico pleather.
Please stop unnecessary killing of cows
underpower beast
Accord also underpower than this.
Good Job BMW bring it as CKD and very fast can see here. Other brand make the car to CKD, dont know take how may years really could not understand.
Reason of why they don’t bring 118i CKD as bringing this CKD 218i, is it because of something like more attractive to all younger ones, not only lenlui compare to 118i that only main for lenlui but not for boys.
Nice one BMW, with this you have put another nail into MBM’s pathetic A class sedan coffin and to a certain extend, the CLA 200 no-show in Malaysia.
Bring it on.
Should launch the 220i better
Agree, imagine this 2series GC with 2.0 engine from x1 or 320, what a nice car to drive
Kudos to BMW to insist on having active driver assistance tech across the range
Saw this car on a new Korean drama “record of youth” . Very nice looking car
Underpowered. Period
BMW 218i will smoke Accord 1.5T
My bf drove this in germany last time. No lick up
Very nice
ugliest german rubbish i ever seen
its ugly ducking.. but I love it.
Rear design look like honda city. Arteon even better this car
Honda actually copies rear tail lights design from BMW.
Just wish there was more power to go with the sporty looks
One of the most hideous ass, disjointed.
X70 bumper to the gran coupe ass
Wow so nice ma. I want to buy. No money no tok. Y ppl tok ok oni ma.
For realllllll mannnnn. Looks ugly like hell mannnn
They finally give driving assistant package and slowly adding more soon. Bagus Beemer MY
Vw 1.4 is more powerful & faster
I still don’t get it when people keep comparing who’s faster with paying lesser money. Aren’t the car for day to day use, with different preference and perspective? We are not buying race car though
By the way, this car is nice, a good alternative to merc. And for those who want to try out premium continue car, it’s a good starting point
I would buy one. Alpine white.
I think BMW paid some ppl to like positive comments.
RM218K will get you a good 2nd hand F32 4series.