New BMW 2 Series Active Tourer revealed

The new-generation 2022 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has debuted in Europe, bringing significant improvements including a redesigned exterior, roomier cabin, smarter technology and two plug-in hybrid powertrains.

First arriving Down Under in 2014, BMW Australia eventually reduced the slow-selling first-generation model to a single variant in 2018 before removing the 2 Series Active Tourer from the Bavarian brand’s line-up altogether.

With the launch of the second-generation 2 Series AT overseas, BMW Australia has advised that it remains off the agenda for our market, despite the substantial overhaul.

“The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has always been a niche product for us in Australia and we will continue to cater to customers by bringing in products that suit their requirements,” a spokesperson said.

In Europe, where first deliveries commence in March 2022, the new 2 Series AT will be initially offered with two petrol (220i and 223i) and one diesel (218d) engine option, all paired to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and boosted by 48-volt mild-hybrid tech.

In 220i form, power comes from a 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol, delivering 126kW/280Nm, while the 223i uses a larger 2.0-litre four-cylinder to produce 162kW/360Nm.

Meanwhile, the 2 Series Active Tourer 218d uses a 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbo-diesel good for 112kW/360Nm.

In terms of performance, the 223i is easily the quickest from 0-100km/h, doing so in 7.0 seconds, with the 220i taking 8.1sec and the diesel-powered 218d 8.8sec.

Two plug-in hybrid drivetrains will be offered shortly after, each using a three-cylinder engine to drive the front wheels and an electric motor that sends power to the rear.

Available in two grades, the 230e xDrive will produce 243kW, while the 225e xDrive delivers 182kW.

BMW says improved eDrive tech brings faster charging (eight hours via a household socket) and increased electric driving range of up to 78km.

Elsewhere, the next-gen BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is also the first compact-class model to debut the BMW Operating System 8 and BMW iDrive control system.

This includes a curved 10.25-inch display as well as a 10.7-inch digital instrument cluster, each skewed towards the driver.

Along with its larger new exterior – up 32mm in length, 24mm in width and 21mm in height – highlights of the next-gen 2 Series AT include adaptive LED headlights and a near-actuator wheel-slip limitation system designed to “maximise the car’s agility”. 

Drive mode selections include Personal, Sport and Efficient, while an Augmented View map function has been introduced, along with natural dialogue Intelligent Personal Assistant.