I used to be unsuitable concerning the BMW 2 Collection Gran Coupe. When the unique 2GC was launched in Malaysia in 2020, this author thought: Who would purchase a small BMW sedan that isn’t a 3 Collection? And one which’s nowhere pretty much as good wanting because the icon, too.
That preliminary impression was born from a gentle spot for the three Collection, and my doubts concerning the unique 2GC’s design. Its face appeared cartoonish, and I personally don’t like sedans with rising beltlines and a excessive boot. And that rear finish – it was bizarre, to say the least. It’s now not jarring now on account of familiarity, however I nonetheless wouldn’t name the F44 fairly.
In distinction, the just-replaced Mercedes-Benz CLA was a fairly automotive. In comparison with the stunted and caricature-like unique CLA, the second-generation C118 appeared like a real junior CLS thanks to higher proportions and a wonderfully curved roof made common by the unique CLS, the pioneering ‘four-door coupe’. I can’t consider many pairings the place I’d choose Merc over Munich, however that is one.
Nevertheless, BMW merchandise/designs have an excellent document towards the opinions of ‘automotive guys’ (bear in mind the response to Bangle-era fashions?), and true to kind, the two Collection Gran Coupe proved to be a hit in our market. BMW Malaysia says that it offered over 4,500 models of the 2GC over 4 years, and that tally exceeded their expectations. The junior Gran Coupe is now a typical sight in upmarket neighbourhoods.
Which signifies that a sequel is inevitable. This second-generation 2 Collection Gran Coupe retains the identical template however updates the bundle with the newest obtainable tech and fully-revamped seems that addresses among the extra controversial components of the unique design. Whereas introducing new ones?
The F74 is only a contact bigger than earlier than. Whereas the two,670 mm wheelbase and 1,800 mm width are unchanged, total size is up by 20 mm to 4,546 mm, and top is up 25 mm to 1,445 mm. A recipe for sportier proportions that isn’t, however at the very least the additional top is offset considerably by bumper size. The 2GC seems fairly tall for a sedan aspiring to be a coupe.
This face is all-new to us in Malaysia as we don’t get the newest F70 1 Collection hatchback, which first surfaced in mid-2024. The 2GC’s entrance fascia follows the F70, with a ‘two-tier’ association for the headlamps and grille – the slim ‘eyes’ (word the vertical DRLs) sit a good bit larger than the kidney grille (Iconic Glow illumination obtainable) and the lights are related by a hood shutline that’s relatively excessive up/far again.
Appears are subjective, after all, however I really feel that the 2GC is fairly delicate to angles – it seems first rate in some (from the next level, as an example) and never very flattering in others (head on or from a low angle). Do you want the brand new face?
The F74’s profile is characterised by rising strains that meet a clean sloping roof, which is important for the coupe claims. A pleasant contact is the ‘2’ embossed within the Hofmeister kink, as per the newest 5 Collection. The 2GC’s sides are relatively excessive, however measures have been taken to interrupt up the visible mass. Whereas our Fireplace Pink M Sport tester’s 18-inch wheels seem giant for such a compact physique (suits as much as 19s!), the 2GC by no means seems floor hugging like a 3 Collection does.
It’s on the again that the brand new 2GC differs probably the most from the one we all know. They’ve gone for a extra standard look this time, with a effectively outlined ‘brow’ housing the BMW brand, and the quantity plate and taillights housed one ground beneath.
We have been instructed that the rear brand has been enlarged for this software (there’s loads of top to cowl right here), and it turned a type of issues that you just gained’t discover, however can’t unsee. Additional down, there are not any seen pipes, that are reserved for the quad-tipped M235 xDrive with 300 hp.
Personally, I’m not a giant fan or rising strains and a excessive bottom nevertheless it’s all the time tough to pen a booted automotive from a compact hatch, and there’s additionally loads of rear finish canvas to fill right here. Contemplating the boundaries – actually and metaphorically – I believe Munich did job. They’re calling the 2GC’s look ‘significantly extroverted’ – do it converse to you?
The 2GC’s new cockpit, shared with the F70 1 Collection hatch, must be extra common in attraction. I believe that it’s a really good place to be in – each as a snug ‘office’ and in a visible/tactile sense. Except for the drive (extra on this later), the 2GC’s inside is one among its strongest promoting factors towards worth level rivals, IMO.
Now, the earlier 2GC’s cabin wasn’t a nasty one, removed from it, however this new inside feels extra trendy, extra premium. As soon as once more, Munich manages to mix tech necessities (the attractive BMW Curved Show has made it right here, powered by the newest BMW OS 9) with a standard BMW driver focus. Scroll down and take a second to take a look at the cockpit once more – the components could also be vastly completely different, however this is identical recipe utilized by your favorite previous 3 Collection.
To ship this clear, minimalist look, BMW deleted the 2 rows of bodily buttons – HVAC and audio – below the air conditioning vents, which itself is now only a hole. The controls are tucked away beneath; whereas this seems neat, directing air to the place you need it to be felt is now not an easy affair. This, together with the necessity to jab the touchscreen each time you need to change AC settings (audio controls aren’t so missed as they’re duplicated elsewhere), is the price of magnificence.
The job cuts lengthen to the centre console, which sees the axing of two principal parts. No extra iDrive controller (all touchscreen now) and conventional gear lever (changed by a notch).
The house vacated by the iDrive dial now homes audio controls for the entrance passenger. Is sensible in a left-hand-drive automotive, because the touchscreen is angled in the direction of the motive force and is a far attain for the co-pilot. Nevertheless, this association isn’t flipped in RHD automobiles, which signifies that gear choice and push begin is nearer to the passenger than the motive force, which has audio subsequent to his/her thigh – not so superb.
These days, the BMW Group has been getting artistic with ambient lighting patterns/strategies and trim design – I’m pondering of the ‘backlit crystals’ in larger finish BMWs and the knit material dashboards and highlight illumination in MINIs. There are fascination factors within the 2GC too, regardless of it being a starter mannequin.
Earlier than we set off, 2GC mission chief Bernd Ofner (he was additionally answerable for the 1 Collection) walked us round his child and shared some cool trivia.
The air vent surrounds are milled aluminium items stamped with illumination holes within the M Sport variant you see right here – open the door, and you’ll really feel the uncooked steel edges of the trim items, a cool solution to showcase the genuine materials. Apparently, BMW needed to create a brand new manufacturing course of for this.
Observed the M-coloured detailing on the sprint? ‘Proud dad’ Ofner whipped out his telephone to point out me a video of the stitching finished by a craftswoman. In an age the place even intelligence is synthetic, these are surprisingly bespoke touches in BMW’s most reasonably priced mannequin. Very spectacular, and funky trivia too!
Off into Barcelona’s metropolis site visitors we went, and I discovered it actually annoying to not have auto brake maintain – it’s absolutely there, someplace, however I simply couldn’t discover the button or menu! Seems that brake maintain is hidden in a the ‘My Mode’ button that teams collectively single use capabilities and memorises your desire, together with auto start-stop.
BMW’s logic is for a button that’s probably for use solely as soon as, there’s no want for a separate plot; since they wanted the demister and digicam to be on the panel (options which might be probably for use extra usually), a call was made to take away auto maintain and auto start-stop right into a grouping – I went from aggravated to ah, that is smart.
The automotive you see here’s a 220 Gran Coupe. Not 220i, simply 220. Do you know that the ‘i’ we’re acquainted with in BMW mannequin names was created over 50 years in the past to indicate automobiles with gasoline injection? The letter was later used for Munich’s EVs, and we now have the it in two various kinds of automobiles. BMW dropped the ‘i’ mid final yr with the F70 1 Collection, however diesel-powered automobiles proceed to have ‘d’ of their names.
Anyway, the 220 is a gentle hybrid, with an electrical motor (20 hp/55 Nm) built-in into the transmission, and a small 0.96 kWh battery residing within the boot. They help the principle participant, which is a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbo engine with 156 hp and 240 Nm of torque, obtainable from 1,500 to 4,400 rpm.
As earlier than, the 2GC sits on BMW’s UKL2 platform, so the transversely-mounted B38 sends drive to the entrance wheels by way of a seven-speed dual-clutch computerized transmission. Whole output is 170 hp and 280 Nm, which pushes the four-door from 0-100 in 7.9 seconds. High velocity is 230 km/h.
We initially considered the 220 as a alternative for the 218i, nevertheless it gained’t be so for Malaysia, which is able to get a carryover engine with out the 48-volt delicate hybrid bundle. Our F44 218i had 140 PS, 220 Nm, a 0-100 km/h time of 8.7 seconds and high velocity of 213 km/h. As there’s no further battery within the boot, cargo quantity stays at 430 litres as a substitute of the 220’s 360L.
The 2GC 220 is a good associate within the metropolis, because of good refinement and insulation. When you’re fearful about three-cylinder vibrations, don’t, since you gained’t discover any disturbance at this degree, even with auto start-stop lively. The hybrid help can be seamless because it does its factor within the background, saving you petrol with out asserting its presence. Delicate, as they are saying.
The 220’s 7.9s 0-100 km/h time sounds fast – in truth, that’s not distant from sizzling hatches, however the BMW doesn’t really feel GTI-fast if you actually step on it. It’s no laggard, however the response of the gearbox and the next drive of acceleration are a bit of subdued, and we’re not even evaluating with EVs.
Personally, I’m superb with brisk as a substitute of explosive, and what issues extra long run is a automotive’s driver attraction and ride-handling stability. Our M Sport tester’s seats have been supportive and cozy (steering is simply too thick for my liking, although) and the ‘adaptive M suspension’ cuts little or no slack in physique management. A number of grip, little or no physique roll.
Whereas technically not unsuitable, the time period ‘adaptive’ may be deceptive because the absorbers adapt mechanically, not electronically; these are frequency selective dampers, principally, and so they include 8mm reducing. The F74 additionally options elevated rigidity of the physique construction and chassis connections, optimised kinematics and an elevated caster offset of the entrance wheels for improved straight-line stability.
There have been hints of the inherent firmness of the M Sport FSD suspension over velocity bumps however the 2GC was a snug experience all through our Catalan route, combining effectively with the great cruising refinement (frameless doorways, let’s not overlook). However as all the time, roads within the Iberian Peninsula are considerably smoother than ours, so it stays to be seen if the brand new setup is as effectively balanced on wavy highways and bumpy B roads. We’ve been fooled earlier than.
A word on the rear house, which is ample for my common 175 cm body, with the entrance seat set to my driving place. For any automotive with a ‘coupe’ within the identify, you’ll be zooming into the headroom, and I nearly match sitting straight up. When you’re a tall particular person in a tall household, you would possibly need to attempt the 2GC out for measurement first. Elsewhere, the seats are effectively designed (base not too quick, good top) and it doesn’t really feel claustrophobic on the again, which may occur with style-driven designs.
So, are we one other spherical of expectation-exceeding success for the two Collection Gran Coupe in Malaysia?
We gained’t know what’s anticipated of the F74, however the panorama has modified for the reason that final one debut. Electrical occurred, and automobiles just like the Tesla Mannequin 3 and BYD Seal might be had for beneath RM200k. These two are ‘techier’, a lot sooner and sleeker than the 2GC, which may’t even counter with worth because it’s burdened with common ICE taxation. And we haven’t even opened the can of SUVs – RM200k buys you loads of automotive nowadays.
Positive, not everyone seems to be into EVs, however even when you – like me – aren’t prepared for the swap, it’s arduous to unsee the quantity of specs and efficiency these EVs supply for the cash, though we settle for that it’s an unfair comparability. The 2GC is a starter BMW, and I believe that its goal market in 2025 are the type that can fall for big screens and ballistic acceleration.
I’ve been unsuitable earlier than on the 2GC and I’d be glad to be unsuitable once more with the F74, as a result of it’s drive, a extra satisfying steer than the electrical sedans talked about above – it is best to at the very least attempt the 2GC out earlier than deciding. And nowhere is it an outdated automotive, except you’re the type who thinks that ICE is useless and we’ll all be driving EVs in 2030. Let me be unsuitable once more.
The F74 BMW 2 Collection Gran Coupe can be launched in Malaysia tomorrow – keep tuned for the CKD 218’s native specs
GALLERY: 2025 BMW 220 Gran Coupe M Sport
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