BMW 2-series Gran Tourer MPV revealed.

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BMW has revealed the new 2-series Gran Tourer prior to its global debut at the Geneva motor show 2015. It is a larger version of the 2-series Active Tourer sold in international markets, and is more like a versatile hatchback-cum-MPV. The Gran Tourer gets seven seats unlike the Active Tourer which is a five-seater.

The 2-series Gran Tourer shares its front-end styling with the Active Tourer. Its silhouette differs dramatically from traditional rear-wheel-drive BMW models, with a short bonnet and heavily angled windscreen, giving it a distinctive cab-forward influence. At 4550mm long, 1800mm wide and 1610mm high, the 2-series Gran Tourer is a considerable 214mm longer and 53mm taller than the 2-series Active Tourer, but exactly the same width. The majority of the extra length is concentrated within the wheelbase, which has grown by 110mm to 2780mm, to provide the new BMW with longer rear doors and a generous opening to access the rear seats.

Inside, the 2-series Gran Tourer uses the same dashboard and fittings as the 2-series Active Tourer – alongside which it will be produced at BMW’s factory in Leipzig, Germany. The boot capacity is 645 litres with the rear-most seats down, rising to a copious 1905 litres when the second row of seats, which split and fold in a 40:20:40 configuration, are stacked away.

Apart from the recently revealed 1-series facelift, the 2-series Gran Tourer is the second BMW model to use the German carmaker’s high strength steel UKL platform. The contemporary structure adopts a transverse engine layout to offer buyers the choice between standard front-wheel drive and optional four-wheel drive.

The lightest of the launch models is the 1395kg 218i, with the 1565kg 220d xDrive's four-wheel-drive hardware making it the heaviest; it includes an electro-hydraulic multi-plate clutch that is used to apportion drive to each wheel depending on the amount of traction. The same set-up will be used by the upcoming second-generation X1, which is described as being closely related to the 2-series Gran Tourer.

The new BMW will be sold overseas with the choice of five turbocharged petrol and diesel engines along with a standard six-speed manual and optional eight-speed automatic gearbox.  The petrol units include a 134bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder in the 218i and a 189bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder in the 220i. Among the diesels is a 114bhp 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine in the 216d and a 148bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit in the 218d. The range-topper is the powerful 187bhp diesel unit in the four-wheel-drive 220d xDrive, which is available in automatic guise only. It goes from 0-100kph in 7.6 seconds, with a top speed of 217kph.



There will be four trims to start off with – SE, Sport, Luxury and M Sport. The SE trim brings 16-inch alloy wheels, digital radio and Bluetooth, dual-zone climate control, sliding and reclining middle-row seats, an electronically powered tailgate, auto lights and wipers, rear parking sensors and roof rails as standard. Sport trim adds 17-inch wheels, front sports seats, gloss black interior trim and upgraded cloth upholstery. Luxury trim gets another design for the 17-inch alloys, leather upholstery and wood trim. The top-end M Sport brings 18-inch alloys, aluminium interior trim, M Sport suspension and run-flat tyres.

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