The 2025 F74 BMW 218 Gran Coupe, which was launched in Malaysia last month, has now gotten official pricing – RM218,800, OTR before insurance with a two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty, or RM240,500 with the optional five-year warranty and service package included. Slightly cheaper than the final edition of the F44, which asked for RM244,400 with BSRI.
The F74 2GC first surfaced in October last year and the international media drive was held in February, so BMW wasted no time in bringing this one in, and in CKD locally assembled form no less. The original F44 2GC was launched here in 2020 and BMW Malaysia tells us that they’ve sold over 4,500 units in four years, exceeding their expectations.
Like before, we’re getting the 2GC in 218 form – now without the ‘i’ in accordance to Munich’s new naming convention. What do you think of its looks?
The 2GC is just a touch larger than before. While the 2,670 mm wheelbase and 1,800 mm width are unchanged, overall length is up by 20 mm to 4,546 mm, and height is up 25 mm to 1,445 mm. Boot volume is unchanged at 430 litres. The mild hybrid 220 we drove in Spain had to share cargo space with an extra battery that reduced volume to 360L, but there’s no sacrifice for the pure ICE.
This face is all-new to us in Malaysia as we don’t get the latest F70 1 Series hatchback, which debut in mid-2024. Like its hatch sister, there’s a ‘two-tier’ arrangement for the headlamps and grille – the slim ‘eyes’ (Adaptive LEDs with vertical DRLs) sit a fair bit higher than the kidney grille, which contains vertical and diagonal bars.
The F74’s profile is characterised by rising lines that meet a smooth sloping roof that puts the ‘Coupe’ in the name. A nice touch is the ‘2’ embossed in the Hofmeister kink, as per the latest 5 Series.
The back of the new 2GC also differs greatly from the one we know. They’ve gone for a more conventional look this time, with a well defined ‘forehead’ with the BMW logo, and the number plate and tail lamps housed one floor below.
We were told at the media drive that the rear logo has been enlarged for this application (there’s a lot of height to cover here), and it became one of those things that you won’t notice, but once aware of, can’t unsee. Further down, there are no visible pipes, which are reserved for the 300 hp quad-tipped M235 xDrive.
By the way, we’re getting the F74 in Sport trim, along with ‘satin aluminium’ trim, 18-inch Y-spoke two-tone alloys (Goodyear Eagle F1 Asymmetric UHP tyres) and gloss black mirror caps. We expected M Sport (the F44 was M Sport-only), but perhaps BMW is keeping the sportiest trim level for a later date.
Open the coupe-style frameless doors and you’ll be greeted by a cabin that’s more modern and minimalist than before. Taking centrestage is the beautiful BMW Curved Display, which integrates a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch central screen. The brains behind the screen is the latest BMW Operating System 9 with QuickSelect, which offers smartphone-style navigation, personalised widgets and voice command.
To deliver this clean, minimalist look, BMW deleted the two rows of physical buttons – HVAC and audio – under the air con vents, which itself is now just a hollow (the controls are tucked away underneath). The job cuts extend to the centre console, which sees the axing of two main elements.
No more iDrive controller (all touchscreen now) and traditional gear lever (replaced by a notch) – the space vacated by the iDrive dial now houses audio controls. It might seem a bit odd that the gear selector and push start in right-hand-drive cars are closer to the passenger than driver, but it’s ergonomic in practice.
The 218 Sport is equipped with Sports front seats (electric with memory), perforated Veganza vegan leather upholstery, a three-spoke Sport steering wheel, Aluminium Graphite trim with backlit illumination, a wireless charging tray, automatic air con with rear vents and anti-dazzle mirrors, among other goodies.
Under the hood (which starts further back than usual) is a 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine with 156 hp and 230 Nm of torque. Like before, this is a transversely-mounted B38, but on a Miller cycle and designed with thermodynamic efficiency in mind. Paired to a seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission sending drive to the front wheels, acceleration from 0–100 km/h is achieved in 8.6 seconds, on to a top speed of 230 km/h.
The previous-generation 218i had 140 PS, 220 Nm, a 0-100 km/h time of 8.7 seconds and top speed of 213 km/h, so we’re looking at gains in all columns.
BMW says that the chassis features almost entirely new components for enhanced agility and control. The suspension (front MacPherson struts, three-link rear axle) now comes with ‘highly pre-stressed stabilisers’ and optimised axle kinematics. The ARB (actuator-related wheel slip limitation) system enhances traction by responding within milliseconds, while the standard suspension tune (not the M Sport’s ‘adaptive’ frequency selective dampers) “delivers a balanced, composed ride across varied road surfaces,” BMW says.
“Every element of the chassis has been fine-tuned to preserve the unmistakable driving feel that defines the BMW experience, while retaining the spirited and engaging character that has long set the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe apart in the premium compact class,” the company added in its local release. Read our drive impressions here.
The 2GC comes with BMW’s Driving Assistant pack that includes Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, Rear Crossing Traffic Alert with brake intervention and Exit Warning. There’s also Reverse Emergency Braking and Predictive Forward Collision Warning. Parking Assistant includes Reversing Assistant up to 50 metres and a Reversing Assist Camera. No mention of AEB or adaptive cruise control (ACC) though.
Finally, digital. BMW Live Cockpit Plus with BMW OS 9 offers a smartphone-inspired interface that works together with BMW Intelligent Personal Assistant. BMW Digital Premium turns your car into a mobile entertainment hub with video streaming and music services. There’s also BMW Digital Key Plus that utilises your phone as a key.
Exterior colour options are Alpine White, Black Sapphire and the unique Cape York Green you see here. All come with black Veganza upholstery.
GALLERY: 2025 F74 BMW 218 Gran Coupe Sport at MY BMW World
GALLERY: 2025 BMW 218 Gran Coupe Sport in Malaysia official launch photos
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