BMW 2 Series Active Tourer set for US launch in 2015
BMW's first front-wheel-drive MPV, the 2 Series Active Tourer, is expected to reach US showrooms in 2015, expanding the brand's range beyond its traditional rear-drive models.
BMW plans to introduce the 2 Series Active Tourer to the US market in 2015, marking the brand’s first foray into the American MPV segment with a front-wheel-drive model. The move signals a notable shift for BMW, which has historically focused on rear-wheel-drive saloons, estates and SUVs in the US.
The 2 Series Active Tourer, which made its public debut at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, is BMW’s first production MPV and the first model from the marque to use a front-wheel-drive layout. Built on the same platform as the MINI, the car is aimed at buyers seeking space and practicality without moving to a traditional SUV or estate.
A leaked online document indicated the Active Tourer would arrive in US showrooms in 2015. While BMW officials had not publicly confirmed the decision at the time, the car’s inclusion in the company’s upcoming model plans for the US suggested a launch was imminent. The introduction is part of a broader push by BMW to expand its model range in North America over the following year.
Model details and US positioning
In Europe, the 2 Series Active Tourer launched with several engine options, including the 218i with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine producing 136hp and 220Nm, the 225i xDrive with a 2.0-litre petrol engine, and the 218d diesel. Additional variants, such as the 220i and 220d, were due later in 2014. The US line-up had not been officially detailed, but a petrol engine range was expected to form the core of the offering, given the market’s preferences.
- Front-wheel-drive layout, a first for BMW in the US
- MPV body style aimed at families and urban buyers
- Shares platform with the latest MINI models
The Active Tourer’s dimensions place it above the MINI Countryman and slightly longer than the BMW 1 Series hatchback. The model offers a higher driving position, flexible seating and a larger boot than BMW’s existing hatchbacks, targeting buyers who might otherwise consider rivals such as the Mercedes-Benz B-Class or Ford C-Max.
What it means for BMW in America
The decision to bring the 2 Series Active Tourer to the US reflects BMW’s aim to reach new customers, particularly families and urban drivers who value space and versatility over traditional rear-wheel-drive dynamics. The move also aligns with wider trends in the US, where compact MPVs and crossovers have gained ground at the expense of larger saloons and estates.
