Rear-wheel-drive has gone – BMW’s all-new 2 Series Active Tourer, which will debut at the Geneva Motor Show early next month, is a front-driver.
Star billing for the new model lineup will go to the 218i Active Tourer with its turbocharged 1.5-litre, three-cylinder petrol engine delivering a remarkable 100kW of power while delivering fuel consumption as low as 4.9l/100kms (combined cycle).
Diesel power comes from the 218d with a four-cylinder turbo-diesel good for 110kW/330Nm.
Heading the team is the 225i with 170kW turbocharged, four-cylinder engine.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer measures-up to its obvious German rivals with an overall length of 4342mm, width of 1800mm and height of 1555mm. With a wheelbase of 2670mm and that raised roof height, BMW says interior space in the all-new 2 Series Active Tourer has been optimized.
And not only has the 2 Series Active Tourer’s front-drive layout tossed-out BMW tradition, so too has the styling – the hallmark kidney-shaped grille has a forward tilt. Fortunately the BMW staples are there such as the rear windows ‘Hofmeister Kink’ and the L-shaped rear tail-lights.
Inside, the rear-seat split folds 40:20:40 and, when fully-folded, affords an impressive 1510-litres of luggage space. BMW says the 2 Series Active Tourer will be the first compact car with a Head-Up Display.
