City Test: BMW Series 2 Active Tourer – An atypical Bavarian that absolutely impresses the active

Skeptics and lovers brand BMW, will only shrug their shoulders at the above, but only until the moment they meet live with BMW-'s newcomers and took him for a spin.

This one 4.3 meters long compact from the class small family minivans namely, it proves that at BMW they know what they are doing and that they have the right answer even in this new segment for them. A different and above all very atypical Bavarian has all the design characteristics of a real one BMW. And random passers-by met with curiosity stopped by looking at the vehicle. Always a good sign.

Shape active tourer follows the trend of the current model range and convinces with attention to detail and cleared technological lines. Active tourer is simply beautiful and at the same time complex in this "simplicity". It works bigger from the usual technical measurements and without problems, instead of a two, we would write a three on the back. But it is necessary to know that the five-door version of the series 1 is longer only by two centimeters. Attractive aerodynamic shape with the drag coefficient 0.26 provides excellent inaudibility of the body even when driving faster. Active tourer is among other things lower from direct competition, which helps him in driving dynamics. Surprisingly, there is very little, or practically no, lateral lean in turns. All these details, as a whole, are not unimportant, because they active tourer it drives more like hatchbacks than family minivans. With all of the above, this BMW maintains, despite the innovations the tradition of driving pleasure.

(The) more spacious BMW?

Inside, the active tourer surprises with otherwise known advantages of minivans and offers atypical volume for this brand. It's so exciting feeling of spaciousness and brightness, which, despite its compact dimensions, offers a lot of comfort not only in the first row, but also in the second row. On the latter, there is practically no feeling of crampedness and there will be enough space for big ones "children". There is as much space here as in series 5, and much more than in series 3.

It should also be emphasized abundantly luggage space flexibility and the longitudinal flexibility of the rear bench, which can be collapsed in proportion 40:20:40. In combination with switchable passenger seats headquarters, you will occasionally be able to drive to 240 centimeters long objects. Enough for transportation Christmas trees or hop into Ikea. In the luggage compartment you can store for 468 liters of luggage, which is a lot if we put alongside the fact that in Ford C-Max you can store "only" 432 liters, in a direct competitor Mercedes Class B but by 20 liters more (486 liters).

Bright, fresh and high-quality interior

Active tourer impresses with the details in the interior. That's absolutely right new dashboard design, or its central part, which is different and fresh in design. It impresses above all with the quality of production, which in no way lags behind the highest model numbers of this brand and them with with its fresh charm at times it even surpasses it. Despite the familiar elements in the interior, common to all BMW models, it seems that this is where they will convince customers that they are better than the competition. It brings an active tourer to this segment high premium level feelings.

Rich basic equipment and a multitude of model versions

Combinatorics additional equipment is decisive in acquiring new customers in this segment, and this is BMW are keenly aware. So they didn't skimp on basic serial equipment that is decent and brings among other things the radio Professional with possibility hands-free telephone calls, system BMW iDrive with a 6.5 bar display, sensor for rain and automatic lights, leather sports steering wheel, intelligent emergency call system, smart brake dynamics lights, runflat tires, sockets for aux and usb and many other little things that continue to work in harmony with the model ones versions Advantage, Sports Line and Luxury Line, each of which brings a certain level of logical additions basis and se in order upgrades. Thus, by upgrading the basic equipment by choosing any model version, the buyer quickly and logically upgrades his vehicle with multifunction steering wheel, parking assistants PDC, automatically air conditioner, cruise control with brake function, etc.. Medium equipped BMW active tourer series 2, with cute three-valve and Sports Line equipment, so it should not significantly exceed the mark 30.000 euros. Information that can attract new customers who previously had not thought about this brand before. According to the representatives of BMW, there should be only these 70 percent.

Front-wheel drive and a new generation of excellent engines with new grips

With the active tourer, the Bavarians bravely took a first bite into the sour apple, but still managed to prepare an excellent Bavarian strudel. First time with front-wheel drive, transversely mounted engines for the first time and for the first time three cylinders. Absolutely a new generation of engines, designed for economy and cleanliness of exhausts. Engines like that due to transverse installation they bring more space inside, but are nevertheless positioned in such a way that active tourer remains a car to the taste of real drivers. At BMW, they do not hide that they drew experience from the development of the Mini, from where they transferred more than a decade of rich experience with front-wheel drive. Consonance bodywork and power units they did great.

On the test we managed to test all the versions that will be available when sales start on the Slovenian market. So he impressed us completely new three-cylinder gasoline engine with label 218i, who can 100kW respectively 136 horses. This one is shared otherwise the famous sports hybrid BMW i8, but this time premiering for the first time in the parent brand BMW. The power is completely sufficient for him to be able to achieve 100 km/h under 10 seconds (9.2 seconds) and a final speed of over 200 km/h (205 km/h). In doing so, he will repay himself with a low consumption of approx 6 liters in a mixed driving regime. It is also characterized by incredible responsiveness and agility, and according to journalist colleagues, it should surpass the many-awarded in terms of refinement and responsiveness. Ford's EcoBoost. We also tasted the sweetness of the new branded diesel 218d, who can 110kW respectively 150 horses. It seems that this is the engine that Slovenians will use the most, as its consumption in the test did not exceed 5.8 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers driven. At the same time, the engine offers exceptional driving characteristics and will be somewhat more sporty fathers behind the wheel many times put a smile on his face. The data on the acceleration to 100km/h, where this diesel fascinates with information 8.9 seconds. Not bad for a family MPV.

And for the cherry on top of the cream, we enjoyed the company of the version 225i. Only this one will be the strongest choice of the active tourer model here. 170kW respectively 231 horses doesn't sound very familial, nor does the info on acceleration to 100km/h in a pinch 6.6 seconds. Certainly data that will satisfy even the most demanding.

A winning formula?

BMW with active tourer not looking purists BMW brand. Looking for brand new customers in a segment where he was not present until now. There should be quite a few of them 70 percent. That's what he does thoroughly and without half-heartedness.
By accepting compromises, they opened up new possibilities and managed to change the compromises to upgrade your philosophy. Option for own development and transcending the rigid frames. Active tourer drives like it should BMW, in driving dynamics due to front drive not far behind. In doing so, it preserves the essence and main message of this brand.
Happy driving.