New 2022 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer unveiled with £30,265 price tag
The all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer MPV has been revealed, with a plug-in hybrid version on the way
The wraps have finally come off the all-new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. It's the latest version of the brand’s premium MPV, and is designed to go head-to-head with the likes of the Mercedes B-Class. For this second-generation model, the Active Tourer boasts a new architecture and BMW’s latest interior tech, with plug-in hybrid powertrains on the way.
The exterior look is immediately familiar, with a compact MPV stance and a broadly similar silhouette to the previous Active Tourer. However, contemporary BMW cues have found their way into the design, such as oversized kidney grilles and the upward-kick of the creases along the flanks.
Despite this, the design is less cluttered than other contemporary BMWs, with a neat, simplified front bumper, smooth surfacing and a pair of simple, slim tail lights, with no visible exhaust pipe jutting from the rear. The Active Tourer will be offered in 11 different paint finishes when it goes on sale next year.
The new car is larger than its predecessor in every dimension. It’s 32mm longer than before, with a 24mm increase in width. The roofline is 21mm taller, too, and BMW claims an increase in shoulder room, headroom and rear legroom over the previous model. Front and rear track widths are up by 25mm and 26mm respectively, which should improve handling stability.
To compensate for the size increase, BMW has utilised numerous weight-saving measures such as lightweight plastic door supports, forged wheels and an aluminium bonnet, which the brand says provide safety and rigidity benefits.
The new, simplified design has also been optimised in a wind tunnel, to minimise aerodynamic drag. The front grilles use active air flaps that close to reduce air resistance, and the floor of the car is almost completely sealed. The result is a drag coefficient of 0.26cd, and a reduction in wind noise over the previous 2 Series Active Tourer.
Inside, the new model adopts a fresh interior design language that debuted with the BMW iX EV, as well as that car’s infotainment tech. The leather-stitched dashboard slopes down from the windscreen and 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. Five interior trim options are available, including open-pore wood and aluminium.
New seats are said to offer improved support and long-distance comfort, while at the rear, ISOFIX fasteners are integrated into the outer two seats. The rear seats can fold in a 40:20:40 split, and be moved forwards or backwards by 13cm. The backrest angle can be adjusted, too, for a 90-litre increase in boot capacity.
Boot space ranges from 415 litres for petrol models to 470 litres for diesel cars, with maximum capacities of 1405 litres and 1455 litres, respectively, with the rear seats folded. This falls to 1370 litres for plug-in hybrid 2 Series Active Tourers. An automatic tailgate is standard across all models, with hands-free opening and closing available for cars specified with Comfort Access. A panoramic sunroof and 12-speaker Harmon Kardon stereo can also be optioned.
The new MPV also receives a new design of steering wheel, with fewer buttons and an angular centre boss. The main interior functions have shifted over to BMW’s iDrive 8 system, fitted to a combustion-engined BMW for the first time with the Active Tourer. This combines a 10.25-inch digital instrument panel and a 10.7-inch infotainment touchscreen beneath a single sheet of curved glass, and features include a 360-degree parking camera, the ‘Hey BMW’ voice assistant, wireless smartphone connectivity and an augmented reality navigation system.
At launch, 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 is the most affordable offering at £30,265, and produces 168bhp from its 1.5-litre three-cylinder motor. Claimed efficiency is 47.9mpg, with 133g/km of CO2. The 223i uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit that develops 215bhp, and achieves 47.1mpg and 137g/km of CO2. From 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 at £31,820. 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.
The trim line-up for the new Active Tourer is three-pronged, with Sport, Luxury and M Sport specifications available. Sport models are fitted with LED headlights, Shadowline exterior trim and 17-inch alloy wheels - larger 18 or 19-inch items will be optional. Inside, the entry-level Active Tourer gets anthracite cloth Sport seats as standard, along with a reversing camera and Park Distance Control.
Luxury variants receive an alternative 17-inch alloy wheel design, with aluminium exterior trim, Vernasca leather upholstery and heated front seats. Range-topping M Sport cars get a redesigned, more aggressive front bumper, larger 18-inch alloys, adaptive LED headlights and folding door mirrors.
Inside, the sportiest Active Tourer also features Alcantara and Sensatec synthetic leather seats and a wireless smartphone charging pad as standard, along with Comfort Access and a Luxury Instrument panel. Black headlining, M pedals and a new design of M steering wheel - with gearshift paddles - are also included.
The M Sport is also fitted with Adaptive M Sport Suspension, which brings a 15mm drop in ride height, adjustable dampers and a quicker steering rack. Different drive modes can be selected through the iDrive My Modes menu, with the option of Efficient, Sport or Personal configurations.
Other new features include an onboard camera system, allowing the user to take snapshots during a drive or check the interior for bags or other items remotely, through the BMW smartphone app. The app also allows iPhone users to use their smartphone as a key through NFC technology, via BMW’s Digital Key Plus option. The marque also promises software and functionality improvements through over-the-air updates.
The new 2 Series Active Tourer is equipped with the largest-ever suite of driver assistance systems in a compact BMW, enabled by radar sensors integrated into the new front kidney grille. 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.
UK release of the new 2 Series Active Tourer is scheduled for March next year, with first deliveries to follow.
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