BMW 2 Series Active Tourer breaks cover – first FWD BMW
It may not have the sleekness or sex appeal of a 4 Series Coupe, but BMW’s launch of the all-new 2 Series Active Tourer represents a crucial milestone for the Munich-based marque. When it hits the market, the 2 Series Active Tourer will be the first model in BMW’s history sporting a transverse engine layout with power going to the front wheels. Purists may cry travesty, but how long do you really think BMW was going to leave the Mercedes B-Class undisturbed?
Despite being the second member in the 2 Series range after the Coupe, the Active Tourer is in actual fact mechanically unrelated to its two-door sibling. Its transverse platform is shared with the all-new third-generation MINI, and moving forward, BMW will use this platform to underpin a wide range of models from MINI as well as the lower reaches of the BMW family – in case you’re wondering, don’t worry, the 3 Series will stay RWD.
Freed from the constraints of having to accommodate a prop shaft, the Active Tourer is set to break new ground for BMW from a packaging perspective. Occupants can look forward to a more capacious cabin contained within the confines of a relatively compact external shell. The chassis sports all-independent suspension; an optional M Sport upgrade lowers ride height by 10mm from the standard model.
The Active Tourer’s global debut sees the introduction of three variants with more to come later in the year. The line-up kicks off with the petrol-powered 218i, which features BMW’s new 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine producing remarkable outputs of 135hp @ 4,500 – 6,000rpm and 220Nm @ 1,250rpm. To smoothen the engine’s operation, BMW has fitted the turbocharged triple with a dual-mass flywheel and a centrifugal pendulum absorber to irregular vibrations and the low revs.
Above the 218i comes a pair of 2.0-litre four-cylinder engines – a 150hp/330Nm diesel powering the 218d and a 231hp/350Nm petrol powering the 225i. All engines of the 2 Series Active Tourer are EU6 compliant, promising class-leading or thereabouts fuel efficiency. Later this year, the range will grow with a further three variants, namely the 216d, 220d, and 220i; xDrive versions of the 220d and 225i will also join the range.
A new transverse-mounted 6-speed manual will serve as the Active Tourer’s baseline transmission with automatic transmission being offered as a cost option. Our market will naturally receive the auto as standard, with the number of gears directly correlating with the engine’s cylinder count – the 1.5 triple gets a 6-speed auto whilst the 2.0 four pots get 8-speed transmissions.
The 2 Series Active Tourer will be making its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show next month alongside the new facelifted F25 X3.
KON
Pictures: Official BMW release.
