BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Overview

For an ‘entry-level’ status car, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupe sure knows how to make a grand entrance. Thanks to its rather handsome new look and a sleek 4-door-coupé body style, you can almost forgive the fact that it has half the ideal number of cylinders and power sending to the front wheels.

The BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé has little to nothing to do with the 2-door BMW 2 Series Coupé, in fact it shares most of its genetic components with the BMW 1 Series hatchback. Joining the BMW’s 4, 6, and 8 series Gran Coupé lineup, the entry level model shares the low, sweeping roofline and sleek, stylish curves of a classic coupé with the practicality of a 4-door sedan.

But unlike its siblings further up in the range, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is less niche and more mass-market, where particular attention has been put on practicality as much as style. And for the first time, the compact transverse engine layout has made its appearance in a sporty low-slung BMW.

Available in the sole 218i Gran Coupé M Sport variant, prices start from RM 199,177 (with SST exemption) without the extended warranty and service package and RM 211,367 with the recommended package. It is the direct rival to the Mercedes-Benz CLA (only available in the AMG CLA 45 S 4Matic+ form in Malaysia now) and competes against the more conventional rivals like the Audi A3 and the Mercedes-Benz A Class sedan.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Design

Up front, the coupé shares the massive conjoined trapezoidal kidney grille and the distinct swept-back headlight design first seen in the 2020 F40 BMW135i xDrive. The standard M Sport package adds a more aggressively styled lower bumper, featuring larger lower air intake and side air inlets with honeycomb grille and gloss-black trims, as well as the 18-inch double-spoke dual-tone alloy wheels.

With its dynamically stretched silhouette, slopping roofline, broad shoulder haunches and premium details such as the highly desirable frameless doors, the Coupé fits seamlessly into the niche appearance of the higher-class BMW coupé.

While the sleek side profile may have adopted most of the character lines on the much grander BMW 8 Series Gran Coupé, the same cannot be said about its rear. It is disproportionately large and seems to have come straight from the much larger BMW X6 SUV.

The contoured panels and the slim taillight design at the rear meant for accentuating its width, only serve to increase its visual heft, looking less Gran Coupé and more Crossover from the rear. The single circular exhaust pipe exit on the left denotes a three-cylinder model, accompanied by the M Sport specific grey colour trim on the lower bumper.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Dimension

It is 162 mm shorter, 30 mm narrower and 19 mm taller compared to the standard second-generation C118 Mercedes-Benz CLA (not available in Malaysia). It slots in between the BMW 2 Series Coupé and the BMW 3 Series in terms of size within the BMW’s vehicle line up.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Interior

Stepping inside and you will find a familiar BMW interior. It shares the same driver-oriented dashboard design layout as the BMW 1 Series, featuring a trapezoidal-themed angular design, accented by silver trims and gloss-black inserts. The freestanding 8.8-inch touch screen infotainment display is angled towards the driver ever so slightly and the ambient lighting embedded in the Illuminated Boston silver decorative trim adds some sophistication to the interior ambiance.

Standard M Sport package brings along M leather-wrapped steering wheel, Dakota leather upholstery with sport seats for driver and front passenger, BMW individual headliner anthracite, front door sill finishers with ‘M’ designation and M-specific driver pedals.

You do not sit quite as low as in a conventional rear-wheel-drive BMW, and despite the slopping roofline, interior space is hardly compromised. Front occupants get ample of space and the rear passenger space, while not outstanding, is adequate and no worse than the standard of the segment.

The 430-litre boot space is not quite a match to the Mercedes-Benz CLA’s 460 litres, but the large rectangular opening translates to a perfectly useable and practical cargo carrying space, which also comes with some useful under-floor storage. 

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Features

As standard, it comes equipped with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus system with an 8.8-inch touchscreen display, an analogue instrument cluster with a central 5.1-inch multi-info display, and the previous-gen iDrive 6.0 operating system. Apple CarPlay is available as an add-on option while navigation, a Qi wireless charger and six speakers are standard fit as well.

Also available are keyless entry, pushbutton start, dual-zone automatic climate control with rear air vents, power-adjustable leather sports seats with driver’s side memory function, a reverse camera and hands-free boot access.

Technical highlights include a faster, more precise near-actuator wheel slip limitation (ARB) traction control system found also in the BMW 1 Series, a BMW Performance Control and Electronic Differential Lock Control (EDLC) which utilise the brakes to simulate torque vectoring and a limited-slip differential respectively, as well as the passive M Sport suspension.

In terms of safety, the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé comes with BMW’s Driving Assistant package, which include system like the front collision warning with braking function, lane departure warning, speed limit assistance, spot monitoring and rear cross traffic alert. The Parking Assistant function is also available, complete with a Reversing Assistant.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Driving Performance

Engine

Powering the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé is BMW’s B38 1.5 litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, developing 140 PS at 4,600 RPM and 220 Nm of torque from 1,480 RPM. 0 to 100 km/h is dealt with in 8.7 second before reaching the top speed of 213 km/h.

The performance may not be all that impressive on paper especially when the 1.5 L turbocharged Honda Civic is able churn out 173 PS, 33 PS more with a similar amount of torque and crucially with almost half the price. But with the peak torque available from down low at 1,480 RPM, the car feels eager and light on its feet. The typical rattly and awful sounding 3-cylinder engine character is also absent here. 

Transmission

Power is sent to the front wheels via Getrag 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with Steptronic.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Ride Comfort

Combined, the Gran Coupé delivers a firm ride but by no means too harsh over road imperfections. It also allows for a sportier drive and agile handling.

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Fuel Consumption

BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé Conclusion

BMW has managed to bring the niche market to the masses with the BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé. Despite being an entry level vehicle in BMW’s local line up, it looks and feels every bit like a premium BMW without the premium price tag. It is generously spec and suitably practical too. The exterior design may be a bit of a mix bag but that should not stop the Gran Coupé from flying off BMW showroom.