Who said that minivans are dead and buried, thrown into oblivion by the SUV phenomenon? Maybe the “multispaces” are no longer in vogue as they once were, but some manufacturers still continue to bet on it. Like BMW, which has just unveiled the new edition of the 2 Series Active Tourer, now in its second generation and ready for commercial debut in February 2022. The designated competitor is the Mercedes B-Class, similar in layout and size.
4.4 meters long, the 2 Series Active Tourer stands out for a more decisive design than in the past, with the maxi-size double kidney grille, flanked by full-led headlights. The side is cleaner, with generous glazed surfaces. But the real leap forward is inside, where the cause of “digital minimalism” wins: most of the physical keys are removed, replaced by a 10.25 “LCD display for instrumentation combined with a 10.7 touchscreen. ”For the connected infotelematic system.
Furthermore, on the central armrest there is an unprecedented control panel from which the gearbox, audio system, driving modes and starting are managed. Under the armrest there is a generous storage compartment, in front of which there are other compartments and cup holders, as well as the charging system for the smartphone. On request seats with massage function.
The load compartment has a capacity ranging from 470 to 1,455 liters for the 218i and 218d versions and from 415 to 1,405 liters for the electrified 220i and 223i variants. Electro-actuated opening of the tailgate is standard, while the ambient lighting system, the panoramic glass roof and the audio system by Harman Kardon are optional.
We come to the engines: those equipped with 48 V mild hybrid technology (with 19 HP electric motor integrated in the gearbox) are the 218 HP 2-liter 223i and the 170 HP 1.5 three-cylinder 220i. Followed by the 218i with the 136 bhp 1.5 three-cylinder engine, with improved combustion logic, and the 218d turbodiesel, a 4-cylinder, 2-liter 150 bhp, closed the lot. All models are available as standard with seven-speed dual clutch transmission. While in 2022 two four-wheel drive plug-in hybrid models will make their debut, with 245 and 326 HP of power, capable of traveling up to 80 km in 100% electric driving mode.
And since BMW’s motto is still “pleasure to drive”, the German engineers have worked to increase the vehicle’s steering precision, traction and stability. For the more demanding, then, there are also adaptive suspensions with a ground clearance of less than 15 millimeters. The kit (standard or paid) dedicated to safety includes adaptive cruise control, the active lane maintenance system, automatic emergency braking with pedestrian recognition and the Head-Up display, which projects the main driving information on the windscreen, in the driver’s field of vision.
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