BMW relaunches on minivans, a declining type that has suffered from competition from the now dominant SUVs and offers the second generation of the 2 Series Active Tourer, using lines that wink at the trendiest crossovers. Furthermore, it entrusts the new Active Tourer with the task of bringing the novelties brought to the scene by the full-electric iX SUV among the non-native electric models. The repertoire ranges from design, to the electrification of some engines, to safety up to connectivity with the 5G standard.
The new Active Tourer does not differ from its progenitor in terms of dimensions, but has a line characterized by smooth surfaces that join softly, by the large grille that gives the front an aggressive expression and by the muscular rear fenders that give a touch of sportiness to the line. The presentation of the large passenger compartment is revolutionary, thanks to the minimalist and minimally invasive furnishings, the slender peninsula between the front seats that replaces the center console and houses the dual-clutch gear selector and a few physical switches and the large widescreen introduced from the BMW of the electric family “i”. In this case it consists of the configurable 10.25 ”instrument display and the driver-oriented display of the 10.7” infotainment system. Digitization is based on the 8.0 operating system that knocks out the knob with which the infotainment is managed on many BMWs, allows you to activate many functions through voice commands, continuously connects the car and inter —- acts wirelessly with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. The interaction with the system is intuitive even in touch mode and simplified by shortcuts that reduce navigation between the menus. The hi-tech evolution of the 2 Series Active Tourer does not retire the functional rear seat with adjustable backrests which, on request, can slide 13 centimeters to modulate the space in favor of the passengers rather than the luggage compartment capacity.
The 2 Series Active Tourer are offered in the basic, Luxury and MSport configurations at prices starting at 34,600 euros. In the family there are only two non-electrified versions: the petrol 218i with 136 horsepower and the 218d turbodiesel with 150 horsepower. The others use a 48V mild hybrid system with a 19 horsepower electric motor. This technology originates the first electrified BMW 3-cylinder turbo petrol engine that propels the 220i with 170 horsepower and interfaces with the 223i’s 2-liter four-cylinder with 218 horsepower, also offered with all-wheel drive. The 225e with 245 horsepower and the 230e with 326 horsepower plug-in hybrids will also arrive in the summer, with asynchronous electric motors derived from those of the iX and i4.
The metamorphosis of the 2 Series Active Tourer is also clearly perceptible on a dynamic level, because it is manageable, composed and comfortable in every situation, especially in the case of the 220i MSport, which also offers adaptive electronic suspension as standard.
The behavior favors a very direct feeling between the car and the driver, which is also affected by the fluid delivery of the engine, which is also capable of showing off a lively character when stimulated thanks to the contribution of the electric unit. Obviously, the latter tends to contain consumption, at the end of the test on a very varied route of 150 kilometers we recorded an average of 14.7 with a liter.