► New Active Tourer
► One of the most popular routes to the BMW badge
► Starting at £30k
Here’s your first look at the new 2-Series Active Tourer, Munich-speak for mid-sized premium compact. Priced at £30,265 on the road, the most practical 2-Series features more driver assistance tech, BMW’s Operating System 8 – and an updated line up with mild- and plug-in variants.
The last gen 2-series sold more than 430,000 units – with 80% first-time BMW-owners – and Munich is looking to build on that success, with an altogether improved package.
What’s new?
Outside, the 2-Series gets an all-new kidney grille, flanked by new headlights with integrated indicators. Overall, the new design is more efficient than before, with BMW quoting drag coefficient of just 0.26 on some variants.
The whole package is larger than before; the new 2-Series has grown by 32mm in length, 24mm across and 21mm high. And although the wheelbase remains the same at 2670mm, the track width has increased by 25mm on the front axle and 26mm on the rear. It means headroom and shoulder room have both improved, and there’s also better kneeroom for those in the rear.
The new 2-Series Active Tourer runs on an all-new architecture made for conventional and electrified powertrains – and there’s now more choice too. 1.5-litre three- and 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol powertrains are available now, good for 168bhp and 215bhp respectively. The smaller 1.5 unit will hit 0-62mph in just 8.1 seconds, while the larger engine can do the same in just 7.0 seconds. A 2.0-litre diesel joins them at launch, making 148bhp.
Engines and prices
Summer 2022 will bring an additional two PHEVs equipped with BMW’s latest-generation e-Drive tech. A seven-speed Steptronic ‘box comes with all models, and there’s also new 48V mild hybrid tech.
The prices for the current engines are as follows:
- 218d £31,820 OTR
- 220i £30,265 OTR
- 223i £32,715 OTR
To match the new power, BMW has tweaked the front axle for improved turn in, while relocating springs and dampers at the rear for more interior space. Models with the adaptive M suspension, get a 15mm drop in ride height – unless they’re a hybrid – and a more direct steering rack.
Traction control is also available, in addition to BMW’s Dynamic Stability Control. It’s been integrated directly into engine management, so promises to correct slip ten times faster than before.
And inside?
The new 2-Series interior benefits heavily from technology from Munich’s electric iX flagship. Front and centre is a new curved display loaded with BMW’s Operating System 8. Made of a 10.25-inch information display and a 10.7-inch control display, it’s the centrepiece of the interior.
Customers will be able to choose from five trims including aluminum and eucalyptus wood – as well as a redesigned control panel.
BMW has packed the 2-series Active Tourer with an optional Augmented View, which like the Mercedes A-class, uses video and AR to make navigation that bit easier.
When can it be ordered?
The first deliveries are set to take place in March 2022.