2018 BMW 2 Series Active Tourer receives engine, aesthetic updates

A FRESH-LOOK version of BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer is expected to arrive in Australia before the end of the year, featuring more powerful engines and a sportier gearbox option.

BMW’s rival to vehicles including the Mercedes-Benz B-Class, Mercedes-Benz GLA-Class and potentially even its own X1 compact SUV in some buyers’ minds gains a restyled front end that breaks away from the somewhat conservative look of the model it will replace.

That includes larger kidney grilles, and a revised lower air dam that gives a sense of width rather than height, and optional LED fog lights. Down the rear, the tailpipes – the three-cylinder petrol engine has only one, but all four-cylinder versions of the 2 Series Active Tourer will sport a pair of them – grow slightly in size, and are better integrated into the rear diffuser.

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The changes continue inside, where the wider front seats gain more bolstering to improve comfort. BMW says it will boast up to 24 combinations for the seat covers, including variants in cloth, cloth/Sensatec, Alcantara and Dakota leather. “New to the selection are the cloth/Sensatec upholstery combinations with grey or orange accents (Sport Line), as well as the Dakota leather seats in Mocha,” it says.

Interior trim strips are available in aluminium, “Fineline” or trim finishers in high-gloss black with accent strips in chrome offer a variety of other individualisation options. Like other BMW models, buyers can also choose from Luxury Line, Sport Line and M Sport package variants. The multimedia system steps up to the latest version of iDrive introduced to other models in BMW’s line-up last year, and includes a cable-free Apple CarPlay connection.

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A newly styled gear shifter also highlights the fact buyers will soon have a choice between either an eight-speed automatic transmission, and a new dual-clutch seven-speeder that is likely to become the keener driver’s choice.

Two new paint colours destined for European markets – Australian specifications are yet to be shaped for our market – will arrive with the facelifted models growing the choices to 13, including an all-new Sunset Orange and Jucaro Beige. BMW says the Estoril Blue paint finish – a hero colour in the range – will be reserved for models fitted with an optional M Sport package that gives the 2 Series Active Tourer a more sporty look. Adding to that are six different rim designs added to the range of alloy wheels that will soon vary in size from 16 to 19 inches.

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BMW will stick with its three and four-cylinder engines for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, but the makeover also pitches in a plug-in hybrid option – few details are available on this version. The 2 Series Active Tourer offered overseas will also sell with BMW’s xDrive all-wheel-drive system, a feature not offered here.

BMW said its engine range would “pave the way for reductions in fuel consumption and emissions of up to five per cent, while at the same time boosting output by as much as 5kW and peak torque by up to 10 Newton metres”.

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An interesting note is that the diesel-engined version of the 2 Series Active Tourer slated for Europe introduces Adblue to its exhaust system. Adblue is a urea-based liquid that helps to reduce harmful nitrogen oxides in vehicle emissions.

BMW Australia is yet to confirm the timing for the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer’s arrival here.