New BMW 220i Gran Coupe now in Thailand, 2.0L turbo with 192 hp & 280 Nm



BMW Thailand has just introduced the new BMW 220i Gran Coupe that now packs a turbocharged 2-litre four-cylinder engine.

With the introduction of the 220i Gran Coupe, BMW Thailand has also discontinued the lesser 218i variant.

Just two variants are on offer for the locally-assembled BMW 220i Gran Coupe- Sport and M Sport. The largest difference moving from the 218i to the 220i is the engine, with the latter mounted with the B48A20A turbocharged 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine.

Power outputs are significant over the 1.5-litre engine, with 192 hp and 280 Nm of torque; 52 hp and 60 Nm plus one cylinder more than the existing model.

Is the FWD BMW 218i Gran Coupe still a BMW?

Paired with the same 7-speed dual-clutch transmission and still driving the front wheels, the BMW 220i Gran Coupe accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.1 seconds, similar to the BMW 320i M Sport and shaving 1.6 seconds off the 218i’s time.

That is the regular BMW steering wheel, a rare sight in Malaysian BMW dealership these days

For features, the Sport variant gets a normal steering wheel, single-zone automatic air-conditioning, standard instrument cluster, power-adjustable front seats in Dakota leather and an 8.8-inch Central Display.

The M Sport variant gets larger 18-inch style 819 M Bicolour wheels, M Aerodynamics package, M Sport steering wheel and foot pedals and black headlining- similar to the RM211,367-priced BMW 218i Gran Coupe in Malaysia. However, the Thai model adds a fully digital instrument cluster and panoramic glass roof.

Now for the pricing. In a surprising move, BMW Thailand is offering the 220i Gran Coupe M Sport at just THB1,999,000 (RM264,000) and the M Sport variant at THB2,169,000 (RM286,000) with BSI standard (three-year or 60,000 km maintenance package) plan.

Compared to the BMW 218i Gran Coupe M Sport that debuted in February last year, it is a significant reduction from the THB2,399,000 (RM320,000) price tag. For reference, the next most accessible BMW sedan in Thailand is the 320d M Sport, priced at THB2,549,000 (RM336,400).

BMW and Sime Darby opens new engine assembly plant in Kulim

We should expect the BMW 220i Gran Coupe to reach Malaysian BMW dealerships soon too, as this powertrain is actually in service in the MINI Cooper S Countryman as well as the facelifted BMW X1 sDrive20i M Sport.

For reference, the price gap of the BMW X1 moving from the 1.5-triple to the 2.0-litre four-banger is RM22,042, inclusive of a 5% excise duty increment for the larger engine displacement.  Thus, we can expect BMW Malaysia to price the upcoming BMW 220i M Sport at circa RM230,000, a reasonable RM20,000 more than the current BMW 218i M Sport once it reaches our dealerships.


GALLERY