BMW has carved out yet another new vehicle segment with the introduction of the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer. With its generous space, versatility and flexibility, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is billed as the world’s first premium compact MPV to offer up to 7 seats and fully meet the mobility requirements of young families.
Series Gran Tourer is essentially an enlarged version of the 2-Series Active Tourer launched back in July 2014. As a result, the new model has familiar styling but adopts longer rear doors, a revised rear end and a higher roof.
Despite its compact dimensions – measuring just 4,556mm long, 1,800 mm wide and 1,608 mm high – the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer offers ample space and a generous luggage compartment that can be extended in capacity from 645 to 805 litres. With the rear-seat backrests folded down, this rises to 1,905 litres of load space.
Ensuring maximum variability is the standard-fitted sliding rear seat bench – with a 40:20:40-split backrest that folds down at the press of a button – which allows 3 child seats to be fitted. There’s also an optional third row of seats which can be completely lowered into the loading floor. Maximising the vehicle’s everyday practicality is a range of storage options for all 3 rows of seats, as well as rails on the front-seat backrests with fold-out tables attached.
Under the hood, 5 newly developed turbo engines with 3 and 4 cylinders will be offered; the 218i has a 1.5-litre TwinTurbo Power 3-cylinder engine that produces 136PS and 220 Nm of torque. It enables the model to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 9.5 seconds before hitting a top speed of up to 205 km/h.
The 220i has a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder that develops 192PS and 280 Nm of torque. Thanks to the extra oomph, the MPV sprints from 0-100 km/h in as little as 7.6 seconds before topping out at speeds up to 223 km/h.
On the diesel front, the entry-level 216d has a 1.5-litre TwinPower Turbo 3-cylinder engine that churns out 116PS and 270 Nm of torque.
Meanwhile, the 218d uses a 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine with 150PS and 330Nm of torque.
Last but not least, the 220d xDrive uses a more powerful 2.0-litre TwinPower Turbo 4-cylinder engine that produces 190PS and 400 Nm of torque. Thanks to all-wheel drive and a standard 8-speed automatic transmission, the model runs from 0-100 km/h in 7.6 seconds before reaching 218 km/h.
Just like other BMW models, the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer features the BMW ConnectedDrive to enhance both driving safety and convenience. The Head-Up Display, for example, projects all relevant information directly into the driver’s field of view, while the Traffic Jam Assistant helps the driver accelerate, brake and stay in lane.
In addition to the standard version, the new BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer is available in a further 4 model variants. The Advantage model offers enhanced functionality over the standard model, including, among other features, 2-zone automatic air conditioning, Park Distance Control at the rear, Cruise Control with Braking function and a multifunctional steering wheel.
The Sport Line model accentuates the sporting aspect with exclusive exterior specifications, special light-alloy wheels and sports seats, while the Luxury Line highlights its exclusivity with chrome applications, select light-alloys and leather appointments. Beyond these, the M Sport model comes with a choice of the M Aerodynamics package, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, M leather steering wheel and M Sport seats, among other features.
