BMW upgrades 2 Series people-mover

BMW released mildly upgraded (‘Life Cycle Impulse’ or LCI in the premium car-maker’s language) versions of its 1 Series hatch and 2 Series Coupe and Convertible models last year, and now it has announced similar updates for the 2 Series Active Tourer.

On sale in Germany from March, the 2018 2 Series wagon – BMW’s first people-mover, first front-wheel drive model and first direct rival to the Mercedes-Benz B-Class – brings a lightly restyled front-end, more technology and new engines.

Local specs are yet to be confirmed but, cosmetically, there’s a bigger kidney grille and wider looking front bumper with three black intakes (high-gloss for the more aggressive M Sport bumper) and now features optional fog lights, at least in Europe.

LED or Adaptive LED tech with anti-dazzle high-beam is now available for the twin circular headlights, and at the rear there’s new rear bumper trim and bigger (90mm) exhaust outlets, of which there are now two for all four-cylinder models.

Rounding out the visual changes are new Sunset Orange, Jucaro Beige and, for M Sport models, Estoril Blue hues among the 13 exterior paint colours (just two of which are non-metallic: Alpine White and Black), plus six new alloy wheel designs now ranging in size from 16 to 19 inches.

Inside, there’s a new electronic gear selector for cars fitted with seven-speed dual-clutch or eight-speed torque-converter Steptronic transmissions., plus wider seat cushions and new grey/orange cloth/Sensatec and Mocha Dakota leather seat trims.

As per the other 1 and 2 Series models, there’s an upgraded range of three- and four-cylinder turbo engines, plus (in Europe) a plug-in hybrid version and the availability of xDrive all-wheel drive.

In Australia, the 2 Series Active Tourer line-up comprises the 1.5-litre 218i and the 2.0-litre 220i petrol and 218d diesel.

Thanks to changes including a lighter crankshaft, new cylinder-head with integrated turbo/exhaust manifold and twin turbos for all diesel fours, BMW is claiming fuel consumption and emissions reductions of up to five per cent, despite power and torque increases of up to 5kW and 10Nm.

Finally, BMW’s latest-generation iDrive infotainment system brings 6.5- or 8.8-inch colour touch-screens, the option of a Touch Controller (Navigation Plus), intelligent voice control and Apple CarPlay, and a built-in SIM card providing access to BMW ConnectedDrive services like Real Time Traffic Information (RTTI) and WiFi hotspot without a paired smartphone.

New assistance systems available as part of a Driving Assistant Plus package (in Europe) include Active Cruise Control with Stop & Go function at speeds of up to 140kmh, in addition to Lane Departure Warning and the City Braking function (up to 60km/h).

First launched in 2014 and based on the same front/all-wheel drive UKL2 platform as the MINI Countryman and BMW X1 (and soon the X2), the five-seat 2 Series Active Tourer measures just 4.35 metres long and offers cargo space ranging from 468 to 1510 litres. In other markets, BMW also offers the longer-wheelbase, seven-seat 2 Series Gran Tourer.

BMW says the 2 Series Active Tourer’s biggest markets are Germany and China, where it is built, and that more than 70 per cent of buyers are new to the brand, but it’s very much a niche model in Australia.

So much so that, with only around 500 sales here last year, BMW Australia may not import the updated 2 Series Active Tourer.