[vb-saan]

First drive report of the m235i - from Autocar UK.
http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/...t-drive-review

[Fraz33r]

Now BMW launches the first Front wheel drive 2 Series Active tourer hatchback. Comes loaded with gizmos and Panoramic sunroof.

Source and Pics

BMW’s future includes front-wheel drive, a layout that ultimately will nearly the double the brand’s sales and production. With the introduction of the 2015 2-series Active Tourer, that future is upon us. (Deep breaths.) As if a front-drive BMW wasn’t bad enough, this one is a high-roof hatchback that you may as well call a van. The Bavarians call it the “newest member of the 2-series family,” but the Active Tourer has far more in common with the new Mini Cooper hardtop than it does the car the company pitches as a modern-day 2002.

The 2-series measures at 170.9 inches in length, 61.4 inches tall, and 70.9 inches wide, with a wheelbase of 105.1 inches. As mentioned, its compact platform is shared, albeit slightly altered, with the new Mini. Down the road, this architecture will underpin a great number of BMW’s blossoming lineup of front-wheel-drive cars.

The brand's design studio made the very best of the difficult proposition that is creating an aesthetically pleasing compact family van. The result is sort of aggressive and sort of nerdy, with a front overhang that’s unusually short for a front-drive car. There’s ample room for five passengers, and the interior is highly flexible with a large trunk and a front passenger seat that can be folded down to create extra storage space.

The 2-series Active Tourer is the second BMW-badged model to be fitted with a three-cylinder engine after the i8 plug-in hybrid sports car. The entry-level model, the 218i, comes with a 1.5-liter turbocharged three-cylinder that makes 136 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque. BMW says that it’s capable of running from zero to 62 in 9.3 seconds and has a top speed of 124 mph. Power is transmitted to the front wheels through a six-speed manual or an optional six-speed automatic. The top-of-the-line model is the 225i, which is fitted with a 2.0-liter turbo four that makes 231 horsepower and 258 lb-ft. Fitted exclusively with an eight-speed slushbox, it charges to 62 mph in an impressive 6.8 seconds and manages a top speed of 146 mph. Believe it or not, it comes with launch control.

There’s also a diesel model, the 218d, that’s powered by a four-cylinder engine that makes 150 horsepower. Of course, these three powerplants have only been confirmed for Europe; U.S.-market availability has yet to be finalized, but the 225i is a given. All-wheel drive for the 225i is expected, and should also be available in a more powerful diesel model in the future.

The 2-series Active Tourer rides on a multilink rear axle, and a lowered sports suspension is optional. The van comes with a new single-pinion electromechanical power-steering system that’s said to be more efficient. The car’s stability-control system offers a brake-based simulation of a limited-slip differential, and drive modes can be altered between Comfort, Sport, or Eco Pro. Thanks to a liberal use of high-strength steel and an intelligent mixture of materials, the AT is lightweight: even the top-of-the-line 225i comes in at just a claimed 3153 pounds.
As a true, modern-day BMW, the 2-series Active Tourer is available with an impressive number of gadgets, gizmos, bells, and whistles; including parking aids, new-gen telematics functionality, an active cruise-control system with stop-and-go capability, and a head-up display. Full-LED headlights and LED taillights are optional.

The 2-series Active Tourer will force BMW’s purists to seriously evaluate the direction the brand has taken, but the sales expected from this model and its future front-drive brethren should help fund future fun stuff from the Bavarians. In that way, you can think of it like a dorkier Porsche Cayenne

My personal opinion: This is BMW's answer to mass market, not a classic bmw.

[vb-saan]

The 2 looks to be one of best looking BMW in recent times - well-proportionate, and just the right size

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vCZOFYNujCo

[issigonis]

>>>

Any information on the 2 Series ( especially the rear wheel drive in line four and in line six) re.

i. availability for the Indian market
ii. if affirmative on i. above, any likely timelines (~ mid 2015 perhaps?)

Regards

[karan561]

As this is a 2 series thread so it may interest many that the M2 has been spotted & is on test, check out the thread for the M2 here;

http://www.team-bhp.com/forum/intern...16-bmw-m2.html

[amit]

The 2 series Active tourer looks damn good! Way better then the Mercedes B class. I hope BMW launches it over here.

[karan561]

2 series Active Tourer, 7 seater model spotted;



^ Image Source

[vb-saan]

Originally Posted by karan561

2 series Active Tourer, 7 seater model spotted;

Oh bad! I hope this won't be a successful model. Almost look like an Innova with a BMW face.

[karan561]

Originally Posted by vb-san

Oh bad! I hope this won't be a successful model. Almost look like an Innova with a BMW face.

Calling it Innova look alike is still respectful id say. But im afraid this is more like an Ertiga :(

[vineethvazhayil]

BWM has taken wraps of the 2 series convertible that goes on sale as a 2015 model. In the US, it will be sold in 228i (2.0 turbo), 228xi (2.0 turbo AWD) and M235i. Looks like this will be on the sportier end of spectrum with the 4 series convertible becoming more of a luxury cruiser. Check out some photos and detailed story -


With the top up -

I think the other key difference from the related 4 series (other than being smaller in every dimension) would be that this one has a rag top and not a complex hard top.

Read on more - Car & Drive - 2015 BMW 2-series Convertible: The Version for Hedonists

[deetjohn]

Here is Mat Watson with the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W8Z35OEdm_c&

He says there are two firsts for BMW with this Active Tourer, one being its the their first FWD car and second being a UV. An AWD variant is expected shortly. And this is more like a luxury hatchback than an MPV.

[vb-saan]

BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer revealed ahead of Geneva motor show, prior to the start of UK sales in June.

Need to see if this a complete sacrilege or the ultimate driving machine among 7-seater MPVs!












News & Pictures from Autocar UK

[kablu]

I love this gran tourer a lot . Not that I don't like the other 2'ers. They look smashing. But, the love for the tourer is because it looks to be a perfect people carrier with a bit of sophistication attached to it. No doubt, this will find place in many of the Indian families, If introduced here with a price tag of around 15-20L for the oil burner.

[Tushar]

Link to Team-BHP news article

The 2-Series Gran Tourer is available with a choice of 2 petrol and 3 diesel engines.

Given below is a look at their specifications:

-The 218i uses a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder petrol engine that makes 134 BHP at 4,400 rpm and 220 Nm of torque at 1,250 rpm. BMW says the torque rises to 230 Nm by using the over-boost function.

-The 220i is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder petrol engine that makes 189 BHP and 280 Nm of torque at 1,250-4,600 rpm.

-The 216d uses a 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder diesel engine that makes 114 BHP at 4,000 rpm and 270 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm.

-The 218d gets a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine that develops 146.5 BHP at 4,000 rpm and a maximum torque of 330Nm at1,750-2,750rpm.

-The 220d xDrive is powered by a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder diesel engine that produces 188 BHP at 4,000 rpm 400 Nm of torque at 1,750 rpm.

Except for the 220d xDrive, all variants of the 2-Series Gran Tourer come equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. The 3-cylinder 218i and 216d come with an optional 6-speed automatic transmission. The 4-cylinder variants come with an optional 8-speed automatic transmission, that comes as standard on the 220d xDrive.

[Mtv]

The 2 Series Gran Tourer is an indication of how diluted the BMW brand is becoming. Taking people pleasing to a whole new level, it's the German marque's first FWD car.

With dismal sales of its prime competitor, the B Class, I don't see this selling in any marginal numbers. It is essentially an Innova class car for 30lacs+.

I think BMW should stop wasting time with such niche products and focus on introducing it's hot hatch range and its small sports cars like the 235i. Even an India assembled, base 120d with 188bhp on tap would be ample for a quick hatchback.