BMW has revealed the new, second generation of its 2 Series Active Tourer MPV, which is due to launch in Ireland in early 2022 at a starting price of €41,225 on the road. Highlights of the new Active Tourer include a restyled exterior and a slicker, more modern interior with a host of new driver assistance features and the curved display from the BMW iX. Under the bonnet there's a range of powertrain options including petrol, diesel, mild-hybrid and, from later in 2022, two plug-in hybrid models. The seven-seat 2 Series Gran Tourer has been discontinued.
Bigger BMW grille, of course
There are few radical changes to the overall shape and styling of the new Active Tourer. Up front, the grille is larger than before with slimmer LED headlights, as expected. Although the wheelbase remains the same as the outgoing model's, the A-pillars are more sharply raked giving it a more dynamic profile than its predecessor, which, combined with elements like the flush-fitting door handles, give the Active Tourer a drag coefficient of 0.26 (the same as a Toyota Prius), which helps to reduce fuel consumption and noise. The rear-end restyling includes narrower taillights and hidden exhaust outlets.
Curved display inside
Inside, the 10.25-inch instrument panel and 10.7-inch infotainment screen are combined into one curved display. Overall, there has been a reduction in the number of buttons and knobs with more of the new Active Tourer's control functions accessed and adjusted through the central touchscreen. Large storage compartments and cupholders also feature prominently with a cleverly-designed smartphone slot in the lower section of the centre console to enable wireless charging and to hold phones securely in place.
Electrically-adjusted seats with memory function, lumbar support and a massage function are available as optional extras, as are more heavily-bolstered sports seats.
Although boot capacity is either 415- or 470 litres depending on the model, the rear seats can be folded in a 40:20:20 configuration or down totally to increase cargo space to either 1,405- or 1,455 litres.
Active driver assistance
Standard equipment in the new Active Tourer includes cruise control with a braking function. This, however, can be combined with options such as Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function and Steering and Lane Control Assistant to removes some of the load on the driver, particularly on motorways and most particularly in stop-go traffic.
Front Collision Warning, meanwhile, will help detect and warn against oncoming traffic when turning right, as well as pedestrians or cyclists in the driver's blind-spot when turning left. Reversing Assistant also comes as standard.
Hybrid technology aplenty
BMW has revised the Active Tourer's suspension system to create what it calls a better balance between sporty feel, handling and comfort. For those more interested in the former, one optional extra is BMW's adaptive M suspension with frequency-selective damping, sport steering and a 15-millimetre drop in ride height.
Three powertrain options will be available from launch in Ireland, all including a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox.
The 2.0-litre 218d is the only diesel, making 150hp and 360Nm of torque. Its emissions rating can be as low as 125g/km, with fuel consumption of 4.8 litres/100km.
The entry-level 220i model will feature a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol engine delivering 170hp and 280Nm of torque. It features 48-volt mild-hybrid technology to reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions to as low as 5.9 litres/100km and 133g/km, depending on model.
Meanwhile, the 2.0-litre four-cylinder-engined 223i employs the same technology to deliver a combined 218hp and 360Nm, with only a slight increase in fuel consumption and emissions.
BMW says that plug-in hybrid versions of the new Active Tourer should be available from next summer. The two models, the 245hp 225e xDrive and 326hp 230e xDrive, are set to feature 14.9kWh battery packs mounted skateboard-style under the floor, delivering a pure-electric range of 80km according to provisional figures. At a maximum charging capacity of 7.4kW, recharging the battery from zero to one hundred per cent should take about two and a half hours.
Irish pricing for the 2022 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer
BMW Ireland has confirmed the on-the-road prices for the launch models of the new 2 Series Active Tourer as follows:
BMW 220i Sport: €41,225
BMW 220i Luxury: €43,735
BMW 220i M Sport: €46,295
BMW 223i Sport: €47,975
BMW 223i Luxury: €50,685
BMW 223i M Sport: €53,445
BMW 218d Sport: €42,415
BMW 218d Luxury: €44,875
BMW 218d M Sport: €47,375