The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer in Singapore

The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.
Supreme performance with dynamic presence.

Singapore. BMW Asia has introduced the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, a premium compact class model that skillfully blends comfort and functionality of space with the trademark BMW strengths of dynamism, style and elegance.

Following on from the Coupé as the second member of the new BMW 2 Series range, the harmoniously proportioned Active Tourer oozes sportiness from every angle. Measuring just 4,342 millimetres long, 1,800 millimetres wide and 1,555 millimetres in height, it combines compact dimensions on the outside with a strikingly spacious feel on the inside, making it perfectly suited to cope with the growing challenges of urban mobility.

“The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is the ideal vehicle for people with an active lifestyle who want lots of interior space, flexibility and ample carrying capacity. It will also appeal to young families with a penchant for lifestyle appeal, sporty performance, practicality and adaptability,” said Mr Sethipong Anutarasoti, Corporate Affairs Director of BMW Group Asia. “The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer combines generous interior space, comfort, first-class practicality and typical BMW driving dynamics all in one premium compact-segment model. Despite the exterior length of just 4,342 millimetres, it offers typical premium-class legroom, particularly in the rear, thereby making it the perfect fit for the urban landscape.”

BMW TwinPower Turbo technology: Latest-generation engines.
The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is being launched with a light and fuel-efficient three-cylinder drive unit that is part of a new generation of engines. The engine is installed transversely and boasts a compact design along with BMW TwinPower Turbo technology.

After its world debut in the BMW i8, the BMW Group’s first three-cylinder petrol engine has now been installed in a vehicle of the BMW core brand as well: the BMW 218i Active Tourer. The new three-cylinder petrol unit stands out for its exceptional efficiency and great performance abilities, with average fuel consumption (as per EU test cycle) of 5.5l/100 km and CO2 emissions of 127g/km. The engine has a displacement of 1.5 litres, generates 136 hp and excels with its spontaneous throttle response, hearty appetite for revs and high pulling power.

Further advantages of this lightweight, compact three-cylinder engine are its vibration characteristics. As in a six-in-line engine, there are no first and second-order inertia forces. In a further contribution to smoothness, the small amounts of engine roll torque are completely eliminated by a balancer shaft for maximum refinement throughout the engine speed range. Finally, the combination of a dual-mass flywheel and a centrifugal pendulum absorber, which is unusual in this power class, eliminates irregular running, ensuring refinement even at the low end of the engine speed range. Other advantages include longer firing intervals, making it possible to precisely match the engine cycle to varying power requirements. As a result, the response to throttle commands is very sharp, and the engine develops maximum amounts of torque from only 1,250 rpm.

Dynamic Front-wheel drive with a BMW touch.
Like every BMW, the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer offers high levels of dynamism and a driving experience typical of the brand. For the first time BMW has adopted a state-of-the-art front-wheel-drive set-up that fully meets the requirement for a balance between comfort and sporty performance. As a result, the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is not only the most dynamic front-wheel-drive model in its segment, but also offers high standards of driving comfort.

The key to the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer’s excellent driving dynamics is its well-rounded overall concept. The chassis has been newly developed from the ground up, with a wide track, reduced-friction steering system, a torsionally very stiff, lightweight body with short overhangs, a low vehicle centre of gravity and extensive aerodynamic measures, all of which help to give the new BMW handling qualities which are unique in this class. If the optional electronically controlled dampers are specified, the chassis characteristics can be adjusted to different driving situations with a choice of two different settings, making for improved ride comfort and driving dynamics.

The newly developed chassis, comprising a single-joint spring strut axle at the front and a multi-link rear axle, combines agility and directional precision with excellent handling stability and suspension comfort. The front drive axle in the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer has undergone extensive fine-tuning, ensuring that it endows the car with optimum driving dynamics and wonderfully precise steering feedback. The electromechanical steering and the system’s functional arrangement combine to produce a driving sensation that is devoid of interfering torque steer.

The intelligent use of high-tensile and ultra-high-tensile multi-phase steels makes a decisive contribution to safety standards in the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, while also helping to keep the vehicle’s weight down. Apart from being a crucial factor in the model’s exceptional driving dynamics, this lightweight engineering is just one among many BMW EfficientDynamics technology elements. These also include the Auto Start Stop function, Brake Energy Regeneration, on-demand operation of ancillary units and the integral Air Curtain, which uses two vertical air inlets in the front bumper to direct the airstream along the front wheels, thus reducing air drag.

Sheer Driving Pleasure: Intelligent lightweight design with enhanced aerodynamics.
The driving dynamics of the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer are also influenced by the weight of the vehicle and the stiffness of the body. High-tensile and ultra-high-tensile multi-phase steels and use of tailored blanks help to create a body which combines enormous strength with low weight. The bonnet, meanwhile, is made of lightweight aluminium and weighs just 8kg, 50% less than a conventionally produced component. The bumper supports, steering shaft, brake guards and wheel swivel bearings likewise help to reduce weight, thereby contributing to typical BMW driving dynamics and excellent fuel economy.

With a drag coefficient of cd = 0.26, the new BMW 218i Active Tourer also demonstrates excellent aerodynamic qualities. The overall proportions, the vehicle front and rear end and the largely smooth-surfaced underbody panelling have all been aerodynamically optimised. At the same time, BMW Air Curtain technology at the front apron produces a curtain of air in front of the wheel arches to reduce turbulence at the front wheels. The roof spoiler is integrated with the D-pillar trailing edges (aeroblades) to form a single component which optimises rear-end airflow. The trailing edges of the rear lights are a further drag-reducing feature. Finally, active control of the air flaps behind the BMW kidney grille and in the lower cooling air intake makes a further contribution to the outstanding cd value and low fuel consumption of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

Design: Sporty look and feel typical of BMW.
The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer combines its extremely compact dimensions with adaptability, practicality and highly dynamic design, and cuts a sporty and elegant figure from every angle. Deftly balanced proportions based on a long wheelbase and short overhangs at the front and rear create a distinctive BMW silhouette. The front view is dominated by the low-rise double kidney grille, which is positioned lower than the headlights – a feature normally confined to the BMW Coupés and which points immediately to the dynamic personality of this vehicle.

The interior is light and surprisingly spacious. Despite very compact exterior dimensions, with a length of 4,342 millimetres, a width of 1,800 millimetres and a height of 1,555 millimetres, the roomy interior provides comfortable seating for five people and is also light and airy throughout thanks to the large glass surfaces.

The horizontally structured, layered styling of the instrument panel and door panels gives the interior an elegant, light-touch feel and emphasizes the sense of spaciousness. At the same time the typical BMW driver-centric design of the cockpit underlines the sporty character of the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer.

The Luxury Line for an elegant look.
Luxurious chrome exterior trim typifies the elegant character of the Luxury Line. The kidney grille, the special front air intakes, the tailpipe and the rear apron are all embellished with high-gloss chrome. The special-design 16 or 17-inch (optional) alloy wheels are further keynotes of the Luxury Line. Inside the vehicle, the elegant theme continues with subtle touches such as chrome accents, contrasting highlights in the instrument panel, the black sports leather steering wheel and special Luxury Line leather seat upholstery.

High degree of connectivity for enhanced safety and comfort.
Standards of safety and comfort aboard the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer are boosted by the assistance systems and various infotainment features that are collectively known as BMW ConnectedDrive, such as Parking Assistant and the automatic opening tailgate.

BMW ConnectedDrive Services & Apps bring smartphone applications into the vehicle and allow innovative features like the Concierge Service or Real Time Traffic Information to be added. These can also be booked at a later date and, in many cases, for flexible periods of time. In this way, the functionality of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer can be vastly enhanced and updated by the owner at any time.

The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is the first model in the premium compact class to be made available with an optional Head-Up Display, which projects all relevant driving information into the driver’s field of vision in full colour. Instead of being displayed on the windscreen itself, the information is shown on a screen that extends out between the steering wheel and windscreen. This enables drivers to view all key information without having to divert their attention from the road.

The BMW 218i Active Tourer Luxury and BMW 218i Active Tourer Business is available for viewing at Performance Motors’ showroom.