After so many new BMW’s we have test driven in recent years, here is a BMW that we want to own and to drool over. It is a baby BMW that lives up to its looks. Radical and daring in its looks it was introduced in Malaysia months ago with little fanfare. This is the Coupe, which has it all, style, value, handling and terrific pace. As striking to drive as it looks, the stylish body style, comes with a choice of two potent 4-cylinder turbocharged engines. We test drive the 2-liter twin turbo which is good for 270Nm of torque.
The dramatic styling is hard to ignore, as is the performance, especially from the neck-wrenching twin turbo. It is also very good value when you consider what you are getting for RM259,800. The sporty silhouette of the all-new BMW 2-Series is clearly defined by its long bonnet, short overhangs, a swept-back cabin and slender windows which further underline this coupé’s sporty appearance.
Featuring classic BMW cabin ergonomics, the driver-oriented cockpit is consistently designed for sporty driving enjoyment. An Easy-Entry function for the front seats facilitates access to the two rear seats, which now offers more legroom by an increase of 21mm as compared to the outgoing model, while headroom for the driver and front passenger has grown by 19mm. This remarkably spacious cabin which also exudes unique versatility with a 60/40 split rear backrest is combined with an increase in functionality levels with the all-new BMW 220i Coupé featuring large storage compartments along the inside of the doors and two cup holders positioned in front of the shift lever.
Further emphasising the dynamic credentials of the two-door newcomer, the all-new BMW 220i Coupé also features a dashboard which is fitted with a sports leather steering wheel. The sports seats and Anthracite headliner are matched with the leather upholstery to further accentuate the all-new Coupé’s sporty aesthetics while the interior and exterior mirrors come with anti-dazzle function to optimize road visibility.
This all-new BMW 220i Coupé Sport has a dashboard which features sports leather steering wheel with gearshift paddles and cruise control with braking function, and its sporty appeal is further enhanced with High Gloss Black and matt Coral Red interior trim.
For functional elegance, the BMW 220i Coupé also brings together an extensive range of mobility services and driver assistance system from BMW ConnectedDrive features which includes BMW Radio Professional with a 6.5” display monitor, Bluetooth and USB device connectivity, as well as a HiFi loudspeaker system.
It keeps up with the rest of the performance pack by getting to 100km/h in just 7.0 seconds and touching a neck wrenching top speed of 230km/h where speedtraps are not existent.
Some may find the seating position a little low, but for most it is fine. The major controls are easily mastered as it shares its dashboard with the rest of the current BMW passenger car range. Visibility seems to be a challenge in and around town due to its thick pillars. However it must be noted that the park sensors work their magic in ensuring you do not nudge/damage your lower bumper front and rear.
For the average mild mannered car driver/owner the power delivery of the turbo version can be overwhelming, especially if the road conditions are poor and alien. Otherwise it does exactly what the driver asks without complaint. The big turning circle can make it a pain in the older parts of Petaling Jaya, this seems to be a trait for BMW cars, surprising as they seem to have the narrows streets in the rest of the European continent.
Plenty of room for 2 up front, and it’s actually not bad in the rear either, but only for 2 passengers. The boot is just about adequate, but limiting for anything beyond weekend luggage. The seats are supportive and very comfortable, and the Coupe is surprisingly quiet too, but the hard ride can get tiresome in town. Not recommended if you have a bad back.
The pay-off for that ride is the handling, this BMW 220i offering tremendous road holding even with its 17-in wheels and superbly responsive handling, you don’t have to work hard to swallow miles and a car like this will prompt the driver to take out more often than necessary. The brakes are very good, offering secure safe braking distance when needed, which is more than often.
With this all new BMW 2-Series Coupe you get quite a lot of sports car, and a huge amount of performance for a pretty modest outlay.
BMW 220i Specifications:
Engine: 2L Twin Scroll Turbo
Displacement: 1997cc
Transmission: 8-speed
Max power: 184bhp @ 5000-6250rpm
Max torque: 270Nm @ 1250-4500rpm
Top Speed: 235km/h
0-100km/h: 7.0secs
Price: RM259,800.00
