BMW 2 Series Active Tourer breaks cover at 2014 Geneva show
BMW’s first front-wheel drive model and its first MPV, the 2 Series Active Tourer, made its public debut at the Geneva Motor Show, signalling a new direction for the brand.
BMW unveiled the 2 Series Active Tourer at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, marking the brand’s entry into both the front-wheel drive and compact MPV segments. The new model, revealed as a world premiere, signals a notable shift for BMW, which has traditionally focused on rear-wheel drive saloons, estates and SUVs.
The 2 Series Active Tourer is built on the same platform as the latest MINI, but with a longer wheelbase and a body designed to maximise interior space. At launch, it is offered as a five-seater, with a seven-seat variant expected to join the line-up the following year. The move puts BMW in direct competition with established compact MPVs such as the Ford B-Max and Mercedes B-Class.
Flexible interior and practicality
BMW has prioritised practicality with the Active Tourer’s flat loading floor, split-folding rear seats and a boot that expands from 468 to 1,510 litres. The rear seats can be folded to carry objects up to two metres in length, reflecting the car’s focus on family and lifestyle buyers who need more flexibility than a conventional hatchback offers.
Trim levels at launch include SE, Sport and Luxury, with an M Sport package set to arrive in 2015. The car’s design follows BMW’s current styling language, with sweptback headlights and a prominent kidney grille, but the overall proportions are noticeably taller and more upright than other models in the range.
Engine range and technical details
At launch, the engine line-up features the 218i with a 1.5-litre three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine producing 136hp and 220Nm, the 225i xDrive with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder petrol engine, and the 218d with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder diesel developing 150hp and 330Nm. The 225i comes with all-wheel drive, while the other models are front-wheel drive. Further engine options, including the 220i, 216d, 220d and 220d xDrive, are scheduled to follow in late 2014.
With its new platform and engine range, the 2 Series Active Tourer is positioned to attract buyers who might otherwise have looked at rivals from mainstream brands. The introduction of a seven-seat version is expected to broaden its appeal further, bringing BMW into direct competition with larger family MPVs. For more on BMW’s new direction, see theBMW 2 Series Active Tourer 7-seater prototype caught testing.
What the Active Tourer means for BMW
The Active Tourer’s debut at Geneva marks a strategic move for BMW, aiming to capture a share of the growing compact MPV market in Europe. While some traditionalists may question the shift to front-wheel drive, the car’s practicality and flexible interior are likely to appeal to families and company car buyers seeking premium alternatives to mainstream MPVs.
BMW’s decision to branch into front-wheel drive and MPVs reflects changing customer preferences and the need to expand its range beyond traditional saloons and SUVs. The Active Tourer’s success will depend on whether buyers embrace the new format and whether it can deliver the driving dynamics expected of a BMW, even with its new layout.
