October 7, 2021

Introducing the all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

 

 

BMW has introduced the fully re-engineered BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, which now includes a host of new features in a hope to make it an even more appealing option in the premium small market. The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer boasts significant advances in all key areas and comes with an array of innovations previously reserved for the brand’s larger, more expensive models, and is available in three trims, Sport, Luxury and M Sport.

These systems include adaptive cruise control with stop and go functionality, automatic emergency braking and the optional Steering and Lane Control Assistant, which helps drivers to stay in lane through subtle steering corrections. BMW’s latest Parking Assistant can now be used to enter or exit parking spaces, with automatic acceleration, braking and gear changes.

The new car is larger than its predecessor in every aspect, however to compensate for the size increase, BMW has utilised a number of weight-saving measures such as lightweight plastic door supports, forged wheels and an aluminium bonnet.

On the inside, the new model adopts the same design that debuted with the BMW iX EV, as well as that car’s infotainment tech. The dashboard is almost completely free of buttons, with radio and drive mode controls housed on a floating centre console instead, next to a new gear selector switch. 

The new buyers are given five interior trim options which includes open-pore wood and aluminium.

The new Tourer also receives a new design of steering wheel, housing fewer buttons. The main interior functions have shifted over to BMW’s iDrive 8 system, which combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen, and features include a 360-degree parking camera, the ‘Hey BMW’ voice assistant, wireless smartphone connectivity and an augmented reality navigation system.

 

 

The new 2 Series Active Tourer is available with a choice of three engines – two petrols and a single diesel. Both petrol units are equipped with mild-hybrid tech, in the form of a 48-volt starter-generator that provides a 19bhp boost in power and improved efficiency.

The 220i produces 168bhp from its 1.5-litre three-cylinder motor with claimed efficiency of 47.9mpg, with 133g/km of CO2. The 223i uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit producing 215bhp, and achieves 47.1mpg and 137g/km of CO2. At launch, the 223i will be the most expensive Active Tourer on sale, with prices starting at £32,715. 

The sole diesel option comes in the form of the 218d, which is the most efficient model in the line-up. It uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine with a 148bhp output, with claimed fuel economy of 58.9mpg. CO2 emissions are the lowest of the trio, too, at 125g/km. All 2 Series Active Tourers are equipped with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox. 

In addition to these options, BMW will add two plug-in hybrids to the range in summer 2022, both equipped with four-wheel drive. PHEV variants will use BMW’s fifth-generation eDrive electric motors to power the rear wheels, and a three-cylinder petrol engine driving the front wheels. The 225e xDrive Active Tourer will produce 242bhp, with the range-topping 230e developing 322bhp. 

Maximum charge capacity for both models stands at 7.4kW, enabling a full charge in 2.5 hours, or just under 8 hours when using a household plug socket. Each hybrid can achieve 50 miles of electric-only running on the WLTP cycle. 

UK release of the new 2 Series Active Tourer is scheduled for March next year, with first deliveries to follow.