BMW's 2nd-gen (F74) 2 Series Gran Coupe debuts in Malaysia - 218 Sport lobbed at RM241k

BMW Group Malaysia has officially unveiled the all-new, second-generation 2025 BMW 218 Gran Coupe Sport at the My BMW World 2025 event, held at Sentul Depot in Kuala Lumpur which is open to the public until Sunday. Part of a showcase that includes the latest BMW and MINI models from EVs to M cars, the new 2 Series Gran Coupe - codenamed F74 - headlines as one of the key highlights of the brand’s premium compact segment offerings.

This new ‘2GC’ comes as a locally assembled (CKD) model, continuing BMW’s commitment to the Malaysian market following the success of its predecessor, the F44. Priced from RM241,000, it includes the BMW Service & Repair Inclusive (BSRI) package, which offers a 5-year unlimited mileage warranty and service coverage for up to 100,000 km.

Although built on the same UKL2 platform as its predecessor, the F74 218 Gran Coupe introduces a more athletic and refined look, though it ditches the M Sport package and more aggressive look. The vehicle's dimensions have slightly increase with length now stretching to 4,546 mm (up by 20 mm) and height to 1,445 mm (up by 25 mm), while width and wheelbase remain unchanged at 1,800 mm and 2,670 mm, respectively. Boot space holds steady at a very respectable 430 litres.

The refreshed front fascia is highlighted by Adaptive LED headlights with vertical daytime running lights and a two-tier headlight and grille design, resembling the new F70 1 Series hatchback, which is sadly not sold in Malaysia (yet?). The kidney grille, featuring vertical and diagonal bars, sits below slim, modern lighting elements that enhance its contemporary appearance.

Along the sides, the new coupe silhouette is complemented by a sloping roofline, frameless doors, and the signature ‘Hofmeister kink’—now embossed with a subtle ‘2’ - that defines the 2GC. The Sport trim brings satin aluminium exterior details, 18-inch Y-spoke two-tone alloy wheels wrapped in Goodyear Eagle F1 tyres, and high-gloss black mirror caps.

Inside, the new 218 features a fully updated cabin with a clean, minimalist design. Central to this is the BMW Curved Display, integrating a 10.25-inch digital instrument cluster and a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen powered by the brand’s BMW System 9 software. The interface is smartphone-inspired and offers custom widgets, intuitive navigation, and voice control. 

Physical buttons have been mostly removed from the dashboard, with climate and audio controls now integrated into the screen or subtly hidden, a trend we see becoming more widespread but are saddened by, doubly so by the discovery that the traditional iDrive controller and gear lever are also gone—replaced by a compact gear selector and repositioned controls. 

The Sport trim also features electrically adjustable sports seats with memory function, finished in Veganza vegan leather upholstery, paired with Aluminium Graphite trim and ambient lighting, a wireless charging pad, and rear air vents.

Under the bonnet is a 1.5-litre turbocharged 3-cylinder engine producing 156 PS and 230 Nm of torque; an improvement over the previous 140 PS and 220 Nm setup. This engine, which operates on the more fuel-efficient Miller cycle, is paired with a 7-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission, sending drive to the front wheels, achieving 0–100 km/h in 8.6 seconds with a top speed of 230 km/h.

BMW has also focused on improving ride and handling. The new chassis incorporates high-prestress stabilisers, revised axle kinematics, and the something called an ARB (actuator-related wheel slip limitation) system, which enhances traction and agility. While this model lacks the adaptive dampers of M Sport variants, BMW claims the suspension delivers a balanced ride on varied roads.

The 218 Gran Coupe Sport is loaded with advanced driver assistance systems. These include Lane Change Warning, Speed Limit Info, Rear Cross Traffic Alert with braking, Exit Warning, and Predictive Forward Collision Warning. Reverse Emergency Braking and Parking Assistant—with Reversing Assistant, Active Park Distance Control, and a Reversing Camera—are also standard.