THE BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is almost here, and it has a some features that just a few years ago would have had traditional BMW fans spluttering – front-wheel drive, a compact but unmistakably upright and practical people-carrier body, and the option of a three-cylinder engine.
The new car’s front-wheel drive chassis is bound to get plenty of critical attention
That said, BMW reckons the new car still offers the sort of driving experience and style that characterised its previous models. “Practical shouldn’t mean prosaic” is the slightly clumsy motto.
Although it’s not much longer than a 1 Series, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has a generous 468 litre luggage compartment, which expands to 1510 litres with the seats down.
The folding rear seat is an unusual 40:20:40 design, and can be moved back and forth, depending on whether luggage space or rear leg-room is the priority. The tailgate has automatic opening and closing, and a smart-opening sensor that allows it to be opened with a wave of a foot. There’s also an extra storage tray underneath the boot floor.
The new car’s front-wheel drive chassis is bound to get plenty of critical attention, given that much of BMW’s reputation is based on the handling prowess of its rear-wheel drive models.
The company is promising that the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer will offer the same sort of agility and comfort, thanks features such as reduced-friction steering, a stiff body-shell, a multi-link rear axle and a low centre of gravity.
