BMW 2 Series Active Tourer F45

In 2012, the concept car had its Paris premiere. Then BMW 2 Series Active Tourer was shown to the general public in 2013 at the Geneva Motor Show. From 2014 to 2016, the minivan began to be sold in the markets of European countries. There were 3 revolutionary ideas in one car at once.

Before it, there were no compact vans in the lineup of the Bavarian manufacturer. In addition, the car was front-wheel drive, which was a novelty among BMW cars. Finally, a full-color projection display was mounted in a premium minivan for the first time.

Appearance

The exterior of the car is immediately recognizable as sporty. These features are inherent in the modern design style of BMW. Germans decided to popularize the minivan among young people. The appearance of the compact car is quite dynamic.

From the front, the well-known “nostrils” of the false radiator grille (the flaps, changing position, reduce the resistance of the compact van), headlight rings, fairing, and original platforms equipped with classic fog lamps catch the eye. The hood, “dropping” downward, ensures good aerodynamic performance of the minivan. The coefficient (CW) of aerodynamic resistance of the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer F45 ranges from 0.26-0.29. It all depends on the specific model.

From the side, the solid wheel arches, unique ribs with original stamping at the bottom of the doors are pleasing. Practical stern of the minivan sharply contrasts with aggressive side view. At the rear, there is a large bumper, enlarged parking lights and a huge tailgate.

The length of the minivan is limited to 4342 millimeters, the width of the car does not exceed 1800, the height of the compact car does not exceed 1555. Wheelbase is 2670, ground clearance is 156 millimeters.

Interior

The interior of the BMW 2 series Active Tourer resembles the interior of the 1st generation cars. It is clearly visible on the photo. However, there are distinctive features of the minivan:

• Multimedia control units separated by a small niche;
• Full color projection monitor;
• A front passenger seat that folds down. Previously, only the rear row was foldable in the BMW, so this car has expanded the possibilities of interior transformation;
• Climate control.

The driver’s seat is comfortable. The steering wheel is stylish. Good ergonomics, controls are conveniently located for the driver, instruments are informative. The 2nd row of seats can be moved along the saloon thanks to skids. This increases/decreases the comfort of the rear row and decreases/increases the luggage compartment. This is uncharacteristic of BMW cars. Plus, each passenger can adjust the angle of the backrests to select the optimal position.

The luggage compartment of the BMW Active Tourer can take 468 liters of cargo as standard. After transformation of the interior, the volume of the trunk grows almost 3.3 times, reaching 1,510 liters, and if the front passenger seat is folded – up to 2,400 liters. Under the floor there is a tray for placing various small items.

Electronics

Various equipment can be installed on the BMW minivan. Some of them are already available in the base configuration, while others are available as options.

Note the parking assistant, climate control for 2 zones, automatic drive mirrors, first row seats and panoramic sunroof. Let’s add here a traffic jam autopilot with adaptive cruise control, control systems of acceleration with braking (TrafficJam Assistant), high beam (High-Beam Assist).

Engine

The first minivans were equipped with two gasoline engines and a diesel unit. The review of technical characteristics of the BMW Active Tourer we will start with the gasoline-powered units.

On the modification BMW 218i Active Tourer there is an engine B38B15 with 3 cylinders, equipped with a system of direct injection of gasoline and turbo twin-scroll compressor. With a volume of 1.5 liters. 136-horsepower motor consumes up to 5.1 liters of fuel per hundred kilometers on average. The engine works in combination with a six-speed “manual” and a similar “automatic”. With MKPP/ACPP minivan acceleration time to “hundred” – 9.3/9.6 seconds. It can reach a speed of 200 km / h. The 225i model is equipped with motors that have 4 cylinders, 2 liters of volume and 231 hp. The direct injection turbocharger is joined by two balancer shafts. The average fuel consumption does not exceed 6 liters. The unit combines with an eight-speed Steptronic automatic transmission. Test drive showed that the compact car accelerates to a “hundred” in 6.8 sec.

Four-cylinder and two-liter 150-horsepower engine is also on the 218d model. It works on diesel fuel, equipped with a turbo compressor (variable geometry) with a common rail injection system. Together with six-speed “mechanics” and eight-range “automatic” it accelerates the car to “hundred” in 8.9 sec. Fuel consumption does not exceed 4.1 liters.

Later in the model range of the Bavarian manufacturer appeared the 3rd gasoline model 220i with two diesel modifications, 216/220d. Then the concern offered buyers all-wheel drive versions, 220d/225i.

These cars were equipped in the base only with an eight-speed “automatic”.

Features

The minivan is based on the UKL1 platform with front-wheel drive. At the front there are McPherson suspensions, at the rear – multi-lever suspensions, complete with springs, subframe, shock absorbers.

Disc brakes fitted to all wheels of the car are complemented by various systems, including ABS/EBD/BAS. The steering wheel has an electromechanical booster. Moreover, a small motor is mounted directly on the steering rack pinion.

Equipment

Of all of the above, only the 218i modification has officially “reached” Russia. However, there are four variants of performance:

• Advantage;
• Luxury Line;
• Sport Line;
• M Sport.

In the base equipment, not counting the standard elements of BMW, also include a complex iDrive, complete with 6.5-inch display, a system that monitors tire pressure BMW, dual-zone climate system and daytime running lights on LEDs.

Difference between restyling and prerestyling

At the beginning of 2018, the minivan underwent a restyling. The characteristics of the BMW 2 series have changed. The modernization affected the exterior of the car, its interior and trim.

A large-sized radiator grille was installed on the front. At the bumper, the air intake section has been tweaked. Having stretched in width, it seems to be unified. The shape of the block of fog lights has changed. Head halogen headlights, equipped with 2 branded rings, can be optionally replaced by adaptive or simply LED optics. This will give the minivan more expressiveness. Smaller changes have been made to the stern of the car. Cars with four-cylinder power units have double exhaust tips in the shape of a circle. They are brought out to the edges of the bumper, which is also slightly corrected. It is decorated with decorative black inserts if you buy a minivan of M Sport configuration.

After modification, the compact van has lengthened by 12 mm, but other dimensions have not changed. If earlier there were 11 paint options, now there are 13. Orange and beige colors have been added. “Metallic” became 11, “non-metallic” (white, black) – 2. Finally, the M Sport package includes the Estoril Blue palette.

R17-19 light alloy wheels were added to the standard R16 wheels.

Local changes have touched the interior. The main ones are new front seats with long cushions, black dashboard, 3 interior upholstery schemes, electric selectors for seven-range “robot”/eight-speed “automatic” and modernized ConnectedDrive multimedia. The multicontrol is offered with cruise control/audio control buttons. Options include electric adjustment of the 1st row seats with outside mirrors (the system will remember the positions), background interior lighting with LEDs, a rearview camera and excellent acoustics (12 speakers with amplifier) Harman Kardon.

The luggage compartment lid is now electrically operated. Smart Opener (you have to put your foot to a certain point) is a way out of the situation when the car owner is used to the contactless opening of the trunk. When a car owner has a lot of bags, a child, a stroller/bicycle in his hands and does not want to put it all on the dirty ground and then send it to a clean trunk, Smart Opener comes in handy.

The power units were also modernized. Design changes required the installation of new turbochargers, different crankshafts and coolant pumps. The gasoline pump and gas distribution mechanism were restyled. Diesel engines were equipped with new SCR catalysts, particulate filters and improved injectors.

To the 6 modifications listed above, 216i/225xe with an output of 190/224 “horses” were added. The 225xe iPerformance hybrid is equipped with a six-speed automatic.

All of the additional changes have improved the minivan’s efficiency, increased fuel economy and reduced emissions.

Generations and equipment

1 generation – restyled

1 generation

03.2014 – 06.2018

1 generation