‘Electrification’ push as BMW unveils its new 2-series Active Tourer

Published on 6 October, 2021

Overview

BMW is ‘electrifying’ its revised 2-series Active Tourer range as it outlines details of a one-stop shop for charging vehicles around Ireland and Europe.

The new Tourer range includes two mild hybrids for the petrol models but there will be two plug-in hybrids coming later next summer. The new architecture can accommodate electrified drive systems and conventional engines.

Debuting on the Tourer 223i and 220i is the 48v mild-hybrid technology. The marque says it means improved efficiency.

The 48v electric motor acts as a starter generator and power booster for the engine. Of more interest will be two plug-in hybrids from summer 2022 (230e xDrive and 225e xDrive Active Tourers). They claim up to 80km on pure electric power alone.

The new car is 32mm longer, 24mm wider and 21mm taller. The wheelbase is unchanged (2,670mm) but track widths go up by 25mm at the front and 26mm at the back. The result is more head, shoulder, knee and elbow room all round.

Prices start from €41,225 (on the road); first deliveries due next March. From launch, there will be two petrols and a diesel.

BMW says the new Tourer has tech and spec that would normally be on larger, more expensive models.

For example, it debuts the BMW Operating System 8 and the new generation of the brand’s iDrive control system with Curved Display. Until now, the system has only been on the fully electric BMW iX and BMW i4.

There is a big range of driver assistance systems as standard or optional. The 7spd Steptronic dual-clutch transmission is  standard. There are Sport, Luxury and M Sport trim levels. Sport includes 17in alloys, Sport seats with cloth upholstery, LED headlights, parking assistance, reversing camera and park distance control.

Luxury has aluminium exterior trim, Vernasca leather upholstery, heated front seats. M Sport adds a new front apron, 18-inch alloys, Adaptive M Sport suspension, Adaptive LED headlights, sport seats, Alcantara/Sensatec  upholstery, Luxury instrument panel, heated seats and wireless charging.

As it is a family car, a lot of attention has been paid to improving the seating and room. ISOFIX child safety seat fasteners are integrated into the rear outer seats.

The 40:20:40 split rear backrests can fold to expand boot capacity. The backrest angle can be adjusted to boost room by up to 90 litres.

Load capacity can be increased from 470 litres to 1,455 litres (218d version) or from 415 to 1,405 litres (220i version).

The plug-in hybrid boot can take 1,370 litres.

Meanwhile, with the focus on ‘electrification’, the brand is highlighting the fact that BMW Charging and MINI Charging have just been launched.

It’s a new one-stop shop for public use of charging facilities. You need just one RFID (radio frequency identification) card.

It permits access to more than 1,085 public charge points from a range of operators (including ESB Group eCars, EVBox, Chargepoint Ireland) in Ireland, as well as 173,000 points across Europe.

High-power DC charging stations via IONITY are also part of the BMW charging network.

They calculate that this gives drivers access to more than 832 AC and 253 DC charging points in Ireland.