The gloves are well and truly off in the premium compact car segment, now that Mercedes-Benz is assembling the A-Class Sedan locally. In an attempt to beat back the competition, BMW has updated the 218i Gran Coupé in Malaysia with the range-topping BMW Live Cockpit Professional infotainment system, adding a larger touchscreen and switching out the analogue instrument cluster for a digital one.
With this change comes a RM5,000 premium, meaning that the car creeps back above the RM200,000 mark to RM204,177 on-the-road without insurance. That’s with the sales and service tax (SST) exemption and the standard two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty; add the optional five-year warranty and service package back in and the price goes up to RM216,367. That’s over RM6,000 dearer than the Mercedes A 200.
For that, you get two 10.25-inch displays for instrumentation and infotainment. Previously, the 218i came with an 8.8-inch centre touchscreen and a small 5.1-inch multi-info display sandwiched between two analogue dials, so that’s a big step up.
You also get an upgrade to the latest BMW Operating System 7, offering a new interface with larger tiles, over-the-air software updates and the Intelligent Personal Assistant that can be summoned by saying “Hey BMW.” As per a similar update to the 320i earlier this year, the switch has come as the expense of Qi wireless charging and the BMW Digital Key, which have been omitted from the kit list.
Otherwise, standard equipment remains identical and includes the M Sport appearance package, LED head- and taillights, 18-inch two-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, power-adjustable front sports seats with driver’s side memory, parking assist with a Reversing Assistant, passive M Sport suspension, dual-zone climate control with rear vents, a reverse camera, six speakers and a hands-free opening bootlid.
The 218i also offers identical safety kit that includes the Driving Assistant package, adding autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. No change to the mechanicals either – power comes from a B38 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine, pushing out 140 PS and 220 Nm of torque. A Getrag seven-speed wet dual-clutch transmission is fitted as standard.
GALLERY: 2020 BMW 218i Gran Coupé M Sport with M Performance Parts
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Although it’s a tad dearer than the Merc, the reasonable safety features give more value than it’s price tag over the Merc!
BMW 1.5L Compact Sedan, nice.
Still worth it
But better specs than A200. At least got blind spot monitor, rear cross traffic alert and now with bigger screen
Why doesn’t the G20 have blind spot monitoring?
It does – it’s listed as Lane Change Warning on the spec sheet.
so pity to those already buy the previous one…the equipment level almost same with 330i…even G20 320 not even have the full tft meter…
It does now.
https://paultan.org/2021/07/01/2021-bmw-320i-sport-gets-live-cockpit-professional-with-bigger-screens-operating-system-7-rm231k/
Nice to look but very tiring for long journey.
took collection of my G20 320i last month and it still came with wireless charging and digital key – as i understand from the dealer, so did the rest of the units that were inbound to their dealership
so now the 2, 3, and 5 Series all get Live Cockpit Professional with iDrive 7 but segmented by screen size:
218i – 10.25” for both iDrive screen and instrument cluster
320i/330e/330i – 10.25” iDrive screen and 12.3” instrument cluster
530e/530i – 12.3” for both iDrive screen and Iinstrument cluster
When is i4 ev coming and how much?
Please BMW Malaysia, bring the M235i.
I just got my 320i this month and still got digital key + wireless charging tray. looks like the chip shortage didn’t affect the 3 series after all?
or maybe they’re using the chip stocks on the 3 and above that’s why 2 series don’t have?
Still, no tweeter pair for a premium sedan. Anyway good for third parties to retrofit it.
BMW Malaysia that get extra items are not from third parties
Between buy 3 series
Too expensive than 2 series. And not the right comparison too
Why 140hp only. Crv 180hp!!!