As far as locations to put a car through its paces go, there isn’t a better place to do so than on the Austrian Autobahn and through the winding mountain roads of the Central Eastern Alps. And that’s exactly where Bavarian automaker took an international media team to put the new 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW’s first front-wheel-drive car and first MPV-styled vehicle, through its paces.
It has to be said that BMW’s venture into the realm of the family MPV, or ‘premium compact class’ in their words, did indeed raise eyebrows among the purists in the automobile community. Until now, this territory has remained largely unexplored by the Bavarian automaker, where the inherent flabbiness of the MPV appears directly contradictory to BMW’s core DNA, which is that of offering the utmost ‘driving pleasure’ in all things regardless of car class.
Though these concerns are understandable, they were ultimately unwarranted. Not only does the 2 Series Active Tourer offer that signature BMW driving experience we’ve all come to know and love, it also seamlessly meets the extensive checklist of requirements demanded of an MPV intended to serve as family workhorse. No mean feat, to say the least. To find out how BMW has made a car as functional as it is fun to drive, it is necessary to personally experience what the 2 Series Active Tourer has to offer and how it manages to combine these two seemingly contrasting aspects into a single package.
Available in a total of five variants, The Peak was given the opportunity to get behind the wheel of the 225i, which boasts a 231hp 2.0 litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine that can propel it from 0-100km/h in just 6.6 seconds and hit a top speed of 240km/h. Despite its more generously sized rear-end that is inherent to all MPVs, the 2 Series Active Tourer handled with an surprising high degree of agility and low body roll, thanks to the high-strength steel subframe and low-profile tyres that provide a commendable amount of stability and grip.
In fact, under SPORT or SPORT+ Mode, it’s entirely within the realm of possibility to forget that the 2 Series Active Tourer is in fact a minivan. Despite being more ‘floaty’ than some of BMW’s sportier models when travelling at high speeds, the 2 Series Active Tourer still possesses that reassuring solidarity and firmness we’ve come to associate so closely with the brand. More often than not, we actually had to make a conscious effort to drive slower to adhere to the already generous speed limit of 130km/h on the Austrian Autobahn, lest we be slapped with a hefty fine that BMW was adamant in making clear that they wouldn’t be providing a get-out-of-jail-free-card if we broke the law.
While the 2 Series Active Tourer can be an aggressive little beast when called upon, a switch of a button to COMFORT mode transforms it into that adorable family car it is originally marketed as. Under this mode, the electronically-controlled dampeners are engaged to smoothen out the driving experience and the reverberating growl of the engine turns to a soothing hum. The cabin is also extremely well insulated from the elements, and blips and bumps on the road only make themselves known on very rough surfaces. The higher seating position also accommodates a more commanding view over one’s surroundings and improved ease of vehicle entry and exit compared to a sedan. Size-wise, the 2 Series Active Tourer is comparable to other MPVs in the market as it clocks in with a length of 4342mm, width of 1800mm and height of 1586mm; dimensions that strike that perfect balance of offering ample room to occupants while being compact enough to slip into even the snuggest of parking spaces.
There’s no denying the 2 Series Active Tourer handles supremely well for a MPV; it’s not a stretch to say it’s arguably one of the best-handling cars of this class out there in the market. But what really sets it apart are the host of miscellaneous features designed to make family life that little bit easier, and more importantly, safer.
Looking inside the 2 Series Active Tourer, the most striking feature has to be the generous amount of space found within. Not only is the interior roomy and uncluttered, it’s also extremely adaptable. Features include a foldaway table, integrated cup-holder, tablet mounts, and rear seats that can be folded to more than triple the capacity of the rear luggage compartment. This compact yet comprehensive space was made possible by the front-wheel drive platform, meaning there isn’t a driveshaft taking up precious room in the centre of the car. Also standard to all models are the Bluetooth interface that enables hands-free phone use and BMW iDrive control system designed to get you from point A to point B in the most seamless manner possible. With regards to the finishing, the 2 Series Active Tourer presents an air of relaxed luxury conveyed by the pure, clean lines and sense of contrast created by the luscious leather seating and polished chrome-accented surfaces.
As expected, the usual host of safety features are back but with some nice touches catered for family life. One item we’re a big fan of is the rear-view camera that offers a lower-than-normal viewing angle for detecting objects, pets or young children loitering behind the car. The 2 Series Active Tourer also comes standard with a host of collision warning systems designed to keep drivers out of harm’s way, both on the highway and in the urban centre. And because one can’t be too careful, the optional Driving Assistant Plus Package includes a Lane Departure Warning System and real-time Speed Limit information that are truly invaluable on those long road trips.
To sum up, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer brings together the best of comfort, functionality, elegance and a dynamic driving experience into a single, superbly well-packaged car. We can say with confidence that the newest member to the BMW family is indeed worthy of bearing the iconic seal of the Bavarian automaker.
