The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer

Wednesday, 10th January 2018 - BMW

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer both offer ample space, impressive versatility, excellent comfort and the dynamic driving qualities for which the brand is renowned. Also equipped with the latest generation of engines, BMW’s updated premium compact models for the Sports Activity Tourer (SAT) segment will be available from March 2018. Their restyled front end lends further impact to the models’ sporty looks, a brand new generation of engines deliver more power combined with high levels of efficiency, and an extensive choice of connectivity services and assistance systems lead the way in this segment. Produced in Leipzig (Active Tourer) and Regensburg (Gran Tourer), over 380,000 units of the two models were built between the market launch of the Active Tourer in 2014 and 2017. Their biggest market is Germany, followed by China and other EU countries. Over 70 per cent of customers are new to the brand, and this very high conquest rate has also helped to establish the two models among the brand’s highest sellers.

Even greater presence and dynamic flair with the M Sport package
The most obvious identifying feature of the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer at first glance is their significantly larger kidney grille, which injects them with notably greater presence and expressive power. The front apron is dominated by a large air intake in a black finish that is split into three sections and has the effect of emphasising the vehicle’s width. The new optional LED foglamps have been incorporated into the outer air intakes (not on PHEV models). The headlights – in the familiar twin circular arrangement – are also available with the option of LED or Adaptive LED technology with anti-dazzle high beam. The rear likewise has a very confident feel to it and includes a number of targeted modifications that add to this impression. For example, the trim finisher on the rear apron (only on the model variants) accentuates the sense of width, while the exhaust tailpipes now have a larger, 90-millimetre cross-section. Following the model update, all four- cylinder models now have twin tailpipes.

The design of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer/BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer takes on an even more self-assured air when the new M Sport package is specified. Here, the dynamically styled front apron is made up of three sections, with high-gloss black inserts framing the outer air intakes. The rear apron also sports a distinctive design, with an insert in Dark Shadow that accentuates the car’s width.

New colours and light-alloy wheels for a personal touch
There is a choice of 13 exterior paint colours for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, including two non-metallic (Alpine White and Black) and eleven metallic variants. The shades Sunset Orange and Jucaro Beige are both new, while the Estoril Blue paint finish is reserved for models fitted with the M Sport package. Meanwhile, six rim designs have been added to the range of light-alloy wheels that now vary in size from 16 to 19 inches (19-inch wheels available as a special accessory from 7/2018).

Electronic gear selector, new materials for the interior
The model update treats cars fitted with the seven-speed dual-clutch Steptronic transmission or eight-speed Steptronic to the new electronic selector lever. And the seats now feel even more comfortable courtesy of widened cushions for the standard seat and new upholstery materials for the front seats. A total of 24 combinations are available for the seat covers, including variants in cloth, cloth/Sensatec, Alcantara and Dakota leather. New to the selection are the cloth/Sensatec upholstery combinations with grey or orange accents (Sport Line), as well as the Dakota leather seats in Mocha. Interior trim strips in Aluminium, Fineline or trim finishers in High-gloss Black with accent strips in Chrome offer a variety of other individualisation options. Besides basic specification, customers can also choose from Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport package variants.

Despite its compact exterior (4.35 m in length), the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer continues to offer plenty of room for five people, an elevated seating position and a good all-round view. Thanks to its wheelbase of 2.67 metres, passengers enjoy ample legroom and are able to get in and out with ease. The luggage compartment holds 468 litres (PHEV 400 litres) and can be put to versatile use or expanded to a maximum capacity of 1,510 litres (PHEV 1,350 litres) by either sliding the rear seat unit fore/aft or folding down the sections of the standard 40:20:40 split-folding backrest.
The BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is 4.57 metres long with a wheelbase of 2.78 metres. Up to three child seats can be fitted side by side on the rear bench, while the optional third row increases seating capacity to seven and can be lowered into the floor section out of sight when not required. Luggage capacity varies between 645 and 1,905 litres, depending on the seating arrangement.

Latest-generation engines: remarkably dynamic and highly efficient
There is a broad line-up of three and four-cylinder engines to choose from for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, as well as a plug-in hybrid option for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. The engines are mated to three transmission variants in all: a six-speed manual gearbox, a new seven-speed Steptronic double-clutch transmission making its debut in this model range and an eight-speed Steptronic transmission. BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive is also available. Maximum output for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer stretches from 80 kW/109 hp to 170 kW/231 hp, and for the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer from 80 kW/109 hp to 141 kW/192 hp. All the petrol and diesel units – which feature BMW TwinPower Turbo technology and belong to the BMW EfficientDynamics engine family – have been thoroughly revised.

Since summer 2017, this latest generation of diesel and petrol engines has been rolled out gradually across the BMW Group’s entire model portfolio and will also be available for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer/Gran Tourer from March 2018. The new engines pave the way for reductions in fuel consumption and emissions of up to five per cent, while at the same time boosting output by as much as 5 kW/7 hp and peak torque by up to 10 Newton metres (7 lb-ft). The key modifications are as follows: The exhaust manifold and the turbocharger integrated inside it are now placed together in the cylinder head, allowing the flow dynamics of the recirculated exhaust gases to be utilised to particularly good effect. Higher fuel pressure during injection, optimisation of the thermal management (split cooling technology), timing chain drive and belt drive, plus new balancer shafts for the three- cylinder engines and one-kilogram-lighter crankshafts for the three- and four- cylinder units likewise help to enhance efficiency. The turbocharger and common-rail direct injection for the diesel engines – both key components – have also been refined. The system of two-stage turbocharging, with two turbos now employed on all four-cylinder diesel models, makes the engines both more responsive and more efficient. This is further aided by improved injection sensor technology and re-thought exhaust gas recirculation. The diesel engines all come equipped with the SCR (Selective Catalytic Reduction) system, which lowers nitrogen oxide levels in the exhaust gases by injecting a urea solution (AdBlue).

Plug-in hybrid with electric range of 45 kilometres (28 miles)
The BMW 225xe iPerformance Active Tourer offers a blend of sportiness, fuel economy and everyday practicality that is simply unrivalled in this segment. Combined fuel consumption stands at 2.5–2.3 l/100 km (113–122.8 mpg imp), equating to CO2 emissions of 57–52 g/km. Its powertrain gives the car an electric range of up to 45 kilometres (28 miles), the three-cylinder BMW TwinPower Turbo unit also endowing it with sporty performance over any distance. The 100 kW/136 hp produced by the 1.5-litre combustion engine is sent to the front wheels via a six-speed Steptronic transmission, while the 65 kW/88 hp electric motor propels the rear wheels. This adds up to an overall system output of 165 kW/224 hp and peak torque of up to 385 Newton metres (284 lb-ft). The electrified all-wheel-drive set-up provides outstanding traction, even in adverse weather conditions.

BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer and BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer are both underpinned by BMW’s front-wheel-drive architecture. The most powerful model in the range, the 170 kW/231 hp BMW 225i xDrive Active Tourer, comes equipped with the BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel-drive system as standard (fuel consumption combined: 6.4–6.1 l/100 km [44.1–46.3 mpg imp], CO2 emissions: 147–139 g/km). It boasts all the inherent benefits of all-wheel drive, including optimum power transmission when accelerating and cornering, supreme handling safety, and maximum grip in wintry or wet conditions. The 218d and 220d diesel models are available with the option of BMW xDrive in both Active Tourer and Gran Tourer guise.

Operating concept, connectivity and driver assistance
The integrated BMW ConnectedDrive concept seamlessly integrates the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer/2 Series Gran Tourer into the user’s digital lifestyle.

To this end, both models are fitted with the latest generation of the innovative iDrive operating concept (available since 7/2017). When the optional navigation system is specified, the high-resolution 6.5-inch or 8.8-inch central display comes with touchscreen capability. As well as the standard latest- generation iDrive system, drivers therefore also have the option of using the Touch Controller (Navigation Plus) or intelligent voice control.

The cars’ built-in SIM card makes it possible to enjoy optimum connectivity and access to BMW services with BMW ConnectedDrive regardless of whether a paired smartphone is present. The services available include Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI), Time-to-Leave notifications and access to vehicle functions via Remote Services. The optional WiFi hotspot and optional telephony with wireless charging are two other equipment highlights that allow customers to stay connected anytime, anywhere. Another feature on the options list is Apple CarPlay preparation, which enables easy, wireless use of selected iPhone functions inside the car.

The BMW 225xe iPerformance is another prime example of optimum connectivity at work, with the BMW Digital Charging Service helping customers to optimise charging costs and make effective use of self- generated solar power for charging. The user-friendly operation makes it possible to harness renewable energies with complete transparency. This makes BMW the first car manufacturer to integrate electric mobility into its customers’ digital worlds.

The assistance systems available as part of the Driving Assistant Plus package include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function that allows the car to automatically keep up with the flow of traffic at speeds up to 140 km/h (87 mph). The system adapts to the changing traffic situation by braking or accelerating the car and maintains the set safety distance from vehicles ahead at all times. The likewise optional Driving Assistant features both Lane Departure Warning and the City Braking function, which applies the brakes automatically at speeds up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in response to an imminent collision with a car, motorcycle or pedestrian.