BMW has taken the covers off its all-new model called the 2 Series Active Tourer. Set to go up against the Mercedes Benz B-Class, this new model is the first BMW to be built on the front-wheel-drive platform. Interestingly, the same platform reportedly also underpins the latest MINI Cooper hatch.
First shown as the Active Tourer concept at the 2012 Paris Motor Show, the car will make its global debut at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show.
Following the Coupe as the second member of the new 2 Series range, the Active Tourer is quite compact, measuring just 4.3m long. When launched, the Active Tourer will be available with three engine options. First up is the base-spec 218i with a 1.5-litre three cylinder petrol engine producing 126bhp of power and 230Nm of torque. BMW claims the car can hit 100 kmph from standstill in around 9 seconds with a top speed of 200kmph.
Next up is the performance focused 225i which gets a 2-litre petrol engine developing 231bhp of power and 350Nm of torque. Thanks to the increased power output, the 225i can accelerate from zero to 100kmph in 6.8 seconds and hit a top speed of 235kmph. Finally, there’s the 218d with a 2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine which puts out 150bhp and a healthy 330Nm of torque.
BMW is said to be working on an all-new range of front-wheel- drive vehicles to take on the entry-level premium segment which currently includes models from Mercedes Benz and Audi. The Active Tourer, then, could also end up with some stiff competition from the likes of the Audi Q3 and the Mercedes GLA.
