F45 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer – scoring some firsts

P90143494-highRes1

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has been revealed ahead of its official debut in Geneva next month, and its arrival on the scene will mark the introduction of the automaker’s first mass-produced front-wheel drive vehicle, or as Munich unabashedly puts it, “the BMW among front-wheel drive cars.”

Measuring in at 4,342 mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,555 mm tall, with a 2,670 mm-long wheelbase, the compact premium MPV is set to take the fight to the likes of Mercedes-Benz’s B-Class. The FWD offering’s chassis features a newly-developed single-joint front-spring strut axle and new multi-link rear axle.

The five-seater is targeted at buyers who want interior space and carrying capacity, but in a compact form. There’s a longer seven-seater version in the pipeline as suggested by spyshots, which will expand the 2er AT’s scope if more volume is needed.

P90143495-highRes1

A large glass surface area (there’s an optional panoramic roof to aid things further) and horizontal surface textures help give the cabin a light and spacious feel. The luggage compartment measures in at 468 litres, but folding down the 40:20:40 split-folding rear seats brings this to 1,510 litres. The rear seats are slidable, allowing either knee-room or luggage space to be increased as required.

Elsewhere, the tailgate can be optionally specified with push-button automatic opening/closing or with a Smart Opener function, which offers automatic tailgate operation with a quick flick of the foot, as first seen on the Ford Kuga.

At launch, the 2 Series Active Tourer will be available in 225i, 218i and 218d forms, with further models – the 220i, 220d and 216d, as well as XDrive versions – joining the range later in the year.

BMW Active Tourer

The line-leading 225i Active Tourer is powered by a 2.0 litre turbo unit offering 231 hp at 4,750-6,000 rpm and 350 Nm at 1,250-4,640 rpm, with performance numbers including a 0-100 km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a 235 km/h top speed. The 225i features a newly-developed eight-speed auto transmission – equipped with Launch Control – as standard.

Of more interest is the 218i Active Tourer, which marks the debut of the three-cylinder 1.5 litre petrol unit on a mass-market BMW. The TwinPower Turbo unit, which premiered on the BMW i8, develops 136 hp at 4,500-6,000 rpm and 220 Nm from 1,250 rpm, with overboost to 230 Nm available for short periods up to 4,150 rpm.

As standard, the 218i will ship with a newly-developed six-speed manual transmission – the unit is adapted from the existing transmission, but revised to suit the front-wheel drive layout and transversely-mounted engine configuration. Performance-wise, the manual 218i is good for a 200 km/h top speed and a 0-100 km/h sprint time of 9.3 seconds, with an ECE test cycle fuel consumption average of 4.9 litres per 100 km.

Key features of the stick shifter ‘box include a high-performance carbon multi-cone synchromesh to aid fast and easy shifting as well as a new gear sensor to provide rev-matching in Sport mode. There’s an optional six-speed auto transmission, of course, which features Auto Start Stop and a coasting function.

As for the 218d, the necessary numbers are 150 hp at 4,000 rpm and 330 Nm at 1,750-2,250 rpm, a 205 km/h top speed and 0-100 km/h time of 8.8 seconds as well as a claimed 4.1 litres per 100 km fuel economy. A six-speed manual is standard fit, with the new eight-speed auto being optional.

In terms of equipment levels, a Sport Line and a Luxury Line is available for the car in addition to the basic version. From November this year, an M Sport package will enter the market. The kit lowers the ride height by 10 mm through a M Sport suspension and dresses the car up with special 17- or 18-inch wheels and BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line window trim.

P90143497-highRes1

Also to be found, an M aerodynamics package (with special front, rear and side body parts), a host of M-based finishers and accessories, including a distinctive high-gloss black double kidney grille at the front of the vehicle, as well as an option to exclusively specify the 2er AT in Estoril Blue.

Standard safety kit for the 2er AT includes airbags for driver and front passenger, side airbags for driver and front passenger and head airbags for front/rear seats, as well as DSC, which contains a raft of features, including Start-Off Assistant, Brake Drying function, Brake Standby and Fading Compensation. The four-cylinder models, the 225i and 218d, get a Performance Control system, which suppresses the typical front-wheel-drive understeer characteristics without waiting for stability to reach a critical point.

As is the norm, EfficientDynamics and ConnectedDrive items are to be found. Standard ED features for the car, aside from Auto Start/Stop, include ECO PRO mode, Brake Energy Regeneration and Optimum Gearshift Indicator. The 2 Series Active Tourer is also the first model in the premium compact class to have a full-colour Head-Up Display.

Looking to sell your car? Sell it with Carro.

Certified Pre-Owned - 1 Year Warranty

10% discount when you renew your car insurance

Compare prices between different insurer providers and use the promo code 'PAULTAN10' when you make your payment to save the most on your car insurance renewal compared to other competing services.

Car Insurance

Anthony Lim

Anthony Lim believes that nothing is better than a good smoke and a car with character, with good handling aspects being top of the prize heap. Having spent more than a decade and a half with an English tabloid daily never being able to grasp the meaning of brevity or being succinct, he wags his tail furiously at the idea of waffling - in greater detail - about cars and all their intrinsic peculiarities here.

 

Comments

  • Mukhriz on Feb 14, 2014 at 3:27 pm

    looks like Honda Edix from the side. haha.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 1
    • OMG…Damn nice.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 10 Thumb down 3
    • Dear BMW, have you forgotten?
      http://www.carbodydesign.com/archive/2010/04/bmw-design-analysis-of-joy-part-2/BMW_Rabbit_TBWA_Istanbul-lg.jpg

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 6 Thumb down 1
  • Looks stunning. Mercedes Benz B class killer?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 15 Thumb down 2
    • ewwewwno on Feb 14, 2014 at 6:27 pm

      look at the rearlamp another copy and paste. bmw is so yesterday. boring !

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 8
  • I looks like “honey, I shrunk our X5”. Like a miniature version of X5. At least better looking then th 1- series. Looks good like that, wonder how it looks like in real life.

    So the 7 seater version will be like the “average” sized Alza? Looking forward on that 1 more

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • azrai on Feb 14, 2014 at 3:41 pm

    Do they have 7 seater version? Breaking news; http://autoinsidermalaysia.blogspot.com/2014/02/proton-might-be-assembling-honda-brio.html Proton will be assembling Brio in Tg. Malim?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
    • Gently Speaking on Feb 14, 2014 at 4:14 pm

      I should Expect Proton Give us Honda Engine Then.

      Pls, No more Half Bake Research China Quality Campro.

      Proton assemble Honda Brio, but sold as Honda Brio.
      this 1 I believe.. but then, should not call it Proton.
      Say DRB Hicom Assemble. Honda already assembled by DRB Hicom in Malaysia.

      Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
      • mastermind on Feb 14, 2014 at 4:40 pm

        er… you can get Inspira with Mivec or new Perdana with i-vtec, your dream already here

        Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 0
  • so this is the answer to B class?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 0
  • seancorr on Feb 14, 2014 at 3:52 pm

    Looks way better than the B Class and has the engines to support it. Since it’s a B Class competitor so we can hope to see it priced just above RM200k? Hopefully it comes with decent spec.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  • hondaman on Feb 14, 2014 at 4:08 pm

    oh my, what an interesting vehicle as a compact weekend family car. As an SUV owner, it would be nice if I can afford to buy this car to replace my wife’s sedan but if it is price at RM200k a pop, well, sendiri mau ingat laa…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 1
  • sudonano on Feb 14, 2014 at 4:42 pm

    I don’t know. It looks nice, quite BMW from the front and back, but the side, to the untrained, it looks pretty much like a B class. Or the Honda Edix. Not sure if that is a good thing.

    But the engineering seems interesting. Though not the first time BMW is making a FWD car (they after all made the modern Mini for some time, and it has good handling), but it is the first time they are doing it in a car with their badge on it. Is it close to the Mini? cause no 8 speed auto also (since the 8 speed is designed for longitudinal installation I think?)

    HUD is similar to the Mini, decent sized transmission tunnel, same engine as the Mini also now, the 1.5 turbo. Which will make it only to the 1 series in the LCI.

    This is a more sensible 1 series imo. Too much compromise for the 1 series if you have a small family, especially the huge transmission tunnel and tight back seats. If you have a family, and are looking at a Golf, or a Volvo V40, this would make sense. Looks practical. 7 seat version will be more interesting. A BMW MPV in the making?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 2
  • BrentChris on Feb 14, 2014 at 4:53 pm

    A good looking car and might truly be a good car in reality but the dissapointment is… A BMW should ALWAYS be rear-wheel drive…

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 2 Thumb down 2
  • Hohoho on Feb 14, 2014 at 4:54 pm

    They must be sharing templates… as this looks like a a B Class rehash…. lolz

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 3 Thumb down 1
  • spongewai on Feb 14, 2014 at 5:33 pm

    BMW just unveiled 1st gen 2-series AT

    Merc currently on sale the 2nd gen B-class but soon going to facelift in sometime

    Audi rumor developing mini MPV based on A3 platform and heard will world premiered at Paris Motorshow in Sept

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 1 Thumb down 0
  • nabill on Feb 14, 2014 at 9:11 pm

    Average buyer wont give a rat about front or rear wheel drive…badge n engineering that counts

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 7 Thumb down 1
  • Beemerautohaus on Feb 15, 2014 at 12:03 pm

    What a huge disappointment!!!!! How can a BMW invent a FWD Machine. It’s no longer their legendary trademark.

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 2
  • hahahaha on Feb 16, 2014 at 1:47 am

    Do they have them in Rear Wheel Drive as an option ?

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Hmm.. I must say it really looks like the B-Class (side and back). Or is this another re-badge B to a 2 Serier exercise? (hahaha)

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • takyzark on Feb 17, 2014 at 10:48 am

    looks like new kia carens to me, except for the interior

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Good Job Sven

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
  • Innova is a rwd…kah

    Like or Dislike: Thumb up 0 Thumb down 0
 

Add a comment

required

required