BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is a five-seater MPV

Meet BMW’s first front-wheel drive car, the 2 Series Active Tourer.

Just when you thought BMW’s naming convention couldn’t get any more confusing, we present to you the 2 Series Active Tourer. The name suggests a coupe or convertible – the 2 Series replaces the 1 Series, after all. The reality, however, is a front-wheel drive 5-seater MPV.

The 2 Series Active Tourer, which is meant to combine ‘style, elegance and practicality’, is built on a platform shared by the new Mini, except the wheelbase has been extended to 2,670mm. It measures 4,342mm in length (a tad longer than the BMW 1 Series), 1,800mm wide and 1,555mm tall.

Another first for BMW is the introduction of a three-cylinder engine. The 218i SE produces 136hp and 220Nm of torque. 0 to 62mph takes 9.3 seconds, while the top speed is 124mph. 115g of CO2 emissions and 57.6mpg is claimed.

A 218d SE diesel, which has 150hp and 330Nm of torque, is also available. 0 to 62mph takes 8.9 seconds and the top speed is 127mph. 68.9mpg and 109g/km make it more frugal than the aforementioned petrol.

Those of you who crave extra performance and four-wheel drive have the option of the top-spec 231bhp 2.0-litre turbo 225i xDrive, which can manage 47mpg.

A 6-speed manual is standard on all 2 Series Active Tourer models. An 8-speed automatic gearbox can be specified on the diesel, while the petrol has an optional six-speed automatic. All engines feature Stop/Start technology to help save fuel.

Sport, Luxury and M Sport make up the trim levels. Standard equipment includes Brake Energy Regeneration, Optimum Gearshift indicator, cruise control and automatic parking (a system that scans for potential spaces below 22mph and then takes care of steering). BMW’s useful full-colour head-up display forms part of the ‘Media Package ─ Professional Plus’ option.

Boot space is said to be 468-litres of boot space up to a maximum of 1,568-litres with the seats folded down.

BMW will add a 220i, 220d and 216d to the range later in the year. A 7-seater version for especially large families will also follow. Sales start on September 27th, 2014. Prices will start from less than £23,000.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer images