First front-drive BMW here this year

BMW has confirmed its first people-mover, the 2 Series Active Tourer, will go on sale in Australia by the end of this year.

It also claims the first front-wheel drive BMW -- and the first to be powered by a three-cylinder engine -- will perform as well as the rear-drive models on which BMW has built its reputation for handling.

The 2 Series wagon will be BMW's first direct rival for the Mercedes-Benz B-Class and, as such, the car-maker expects it to be as popular as its German arch-rival's small five-seat MPV.

Mercedes last year sold 3250 examples of the B-Class in Australia – up 60 per cent on 2012, following the second-generation model's local release in April that year.

BMW Group Australia Managing Director Phil Horton suggested the 2 Series Active Tourer is forecast to sell in similar numbers here, representing a relatively substantial sales boost for BMW.

"This is in many ways the most interesting model for BMW from a volume perspective," said Horton.

"It has significant volume potential, as evidenced by the B-Class, especially in Australia."

If BMW emulates the sales success of the B-Class, the 2 Series Active Tourer will more than triple the sales forecast of the new 4 Series Gran Coupe, about 1000 annual sales of which will make it more than a niche player, says BMW.

However, unlike the 4 Series sedan, which is forecast to cannibalise sales of other BMW models to the tune of 60 per cent, the vast majority of 2 Series people-mover buyers should be new to the BMW brand.

Despite being based on the same new modular front-drive platform as the third-generation MINI, from which it will also borrow a three-cylinder turbocharged petrol engine, BMW's local boss promises the all-new high-roofed wagon will perform as well as other BMWs.

"You can absolutely bet this car will drive as well as any BMW has in the past."

BMW will stage the global launch of the 2 Series Active Tourer in Australia next month, before it arrives Down Under late this year.

Expect pricing to be in line with the B-Class, which opens at $40,900 and is available in 1.6-litre B 180 and B 200 and 2.0-litre B 250 guises, as well as the 1.8-litre B 200 CDI diesel.

As we've reported, the passenger-focussed 2 Series rides on a lengthy 2670mm wheelbase and is claimed to offer “luxury limousine standards” of rear-seat legroom and between 468 and 1510 litres of luggage space, approaching the interior volume of the X5.

Three variants will be available from launch in Europe: the 1.5-litre turbo-triple 218i, the four-cylinder 225i and the 2.0-litre 218d diesel.

Australians are likely to be offered those three engines, but Europeans will also have access to subsequent 220i, 220d and 216d variants, plus all-wheel drive versions of the 220i and 225i.

What's coming from BMW:
4 Series Gran Coupe – June
M3 sedan and M4 coupe – July
X4 – July
X3 facelift – July
X6 redesign – December
i3 – November
2 Series Active Tourer – December
i8 – March 2015