2022 BMW 218i Gran Coupé M Sport in Malaysia: larger screens, BMW Operating System 7, now RM206,707

We finally have the 2022 BMW 218i Gran Coupé M Sport in Malaysia, replete with the latest infotainment upgrade that was introduced in November. We have a full video review coming soon, but until then you’ll be able to check out our full gallery of the revamped compact four-door coupé below.

To recap, the car was launched back in 2020 with the BMW Live Cockpit Plus, which consisted of an 8.8-inch centre touchscreen and an analogue instrument cluster with a 5.1-inch multi-info display. This clearly wasn’t enough in the premium sector – especially since the Mercedes-Benz A-Class Sedan came as standard with twin 10.25-inch displays.

So BMW Malaysia has decided to throw in the range-topping Live Cockpit Professional system, with twin instrument and infotainment screens that match its sworn rival (and the 3 Series, in fact) in terms of size. The BMW Operating System 7 it comes with actually trickled down to the Plus system last year, but the larger displays make full use of the interface’s big customisable widgets.

When the update went on sale last year, it initially came with a round RM5,000 premium, bringing the price up to RM204,177 on-the-road with insurance. For 2022, the 218i has been given another RM2,530 bump to RM206,707, inclusive of the sales and service tax (SST) rebate – valid until June 30 – and the basic two-year, unlimited-mileage warranty.

This means that with the five-year warranty and service package, the 218i sails past the RM220,000 mark at RM221,817, which is over RM1,300 more expensive than the A 200 Sedan. The latter was itself given an update this year that finally gave it a power-adjustable passenger seat.

Thankfully, this feature was already fitted to the 218i, together with the driver’s seat (the latter also getting a memory function). What’s more, the BMW also continues to get rear air-conditioning vents as part of its dual-zone automatic climate control, which was added to the A 200 when it became locally assembled but was then omitted again with the update.

However, a few features have also been deleted from the 218i’s kit list, presumably due to the global chip shortage. You no longer get the BMW Digital Key for your iPhone, nor the Qi wireless charger. You also lose the powered bolster adjustment on the passenger seat (it’s now on the driver’s side only), although that’s less important than lumbar adjustment, which is still missing on most BMWs sold in Malaysia.

Otherwise, equipment count remains identical. You still get the more aggressive M Sport bodykit, LED head-, fog and taillights, 18-inch Style 819 M two-tone alloy wheels, keyless entry, push-button start, Dakota genuine leather upholstery, illuminated “Boston” interior trim, 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats, auto-dimming mirrors, a reverse camera, park assist, six speakers and a hands-free opening bootlid.

Safety-wise, the Driving Assistant package remains, coming with autonomous emergency braking, lane keeping assist, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic alert with auto braking and traffic sign recognition. Still no Level 2 semi-autonomous driving features like adaptive cruise control or lane centring assist, but six airbags and stability control continue to come as standard. You also appear to now get ISOFIX child seat mounts on the front passenger seat – not just at the rear – although this isn’t reflected in the spec sheet.

Lastly, the powertrain, which is the same as it ever was. The B38 1.5 litre turbocharged three-cylinder engine pushes out 140 PS from 4,600 to 6,500 and 220 Nm of torque between 1,480 and 4,200 rpm. With a Getrag wet dual-clutch transmission and front-wheel drive, the 218i gets from zero to 100 km/h in 8.7 seconds before reaching a top speed of 213 km/h. Combined fuel consumption is rated at 5.9 litres per 100 km.