OK, I won't guff about talking about some random subject at the start of this article, I shall get straight to the point. The BMW 2-Series AT is a front wheel drive, MPV shaped car freshly released from the guys that bring you a car with a button officially called the "Smokey Burnout Function".
Are you finished screaming yet, banging your head on the keyboard? Good. Let's have some fighting talk. A recent survey showed that a lot of 1-Series owners didn't even know their car was rear wheel drive. Owners of a 116d are unlikely to want to perform lift-off oversteer round the corner. So why, BMW must've thought, should we waste money making our low-end cars RWD? It adds to the already steep cost.
Enter the new 2-Series Active Tourer, as mentioned, the first front wheel drive Beemer. And my, how the internet roared when this was announced. A front wheel drive BMW?!? A BMW that will actually work in snow? That is preposterous! Not only that, it was shaped like an MPV! "Good God, have BMW lost the plot?"
Well no, they haven't. They've actually been rather clever. What they are doing is expanding their appeal, which will eventually bring in the money for lots of exciting new things for the future, I'm sure. If I am honest, I was a little taken aback when I first saw the car. But after a mind adjustment, I rather like it. Here is what I did: instead of viewing it as an ugly BMW, see it as a rather sexy looking MPV. It really is good looking for an MPV, especially against your VW Tourans and Vauxhall Zafiras.
What I will agree on is the messing up of the naming, however. BMW recently announced that all odd numbered cars will be hatchbacks/saloons (the 1, 3, 5 and 7-series) whilst the even numbered cars are coupés and convertibles (the 2, 4 and 6). However, I'm struggling to see the resemblance between the 2 Active Tourer and a coupé.
The AT will feature the new 1.5 litre 3 cylinder engine as found in the new Mini producing an adequate 134bhp and a 2.0 litre diesel in various tunes. Top of the pack will be a 2.0 litre petrol (named the 225i) producing 231bhp, therefore thrusting the AT to 60 in no more than 6.8 seconds. Sounds pretty agreeable, especially when it'll do 47mpg on the combined cycle.
So, has this article reduced your new hate for BMW a bit? Or do you still think this is the Satan of Bavarian Motor Works?
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| Hooray for understeer! |
Enter the new 2-Series Active Tourer, as mentioned, the first front wheel drive Beemer. And my, how the internet roared when this was announced. A front wheel drive BMW?!? A BMW that will actually work in snow? That is preposterous! Not only that, it was shaped like an MPV! "Good God, have BMW lost the plot?"
Well no, they haven't. They've actually been rather clever. What they are doing is expanding their appeal, which will eventually bring in the money for lots of exciting new things for the future, I'm sure. If I am honest, I was a little taken aback when I first saw the car. But after a mind adjustment, I rather like it. Here is what I did: instead of viewing it as an ugly BMW, see it as a rather sexy looking MPV. It really is good looking for an MPV, especially against your VW Tourans and Vauxhall Zafiras.
.jpg) |
| The 2 Active Tourer has its eyes set on the Merc B-Class |
The AT will feature the new 1.5 litre 3 cylinder engine as found in the new Mini producing an adequate 134bhp and a 2.0 litre diesel in various tunes. Top of the pack will be a 2.0 litre petrol (named the 225i) producing 231bhp, therefore thrusting the AT to 60 in no more than 6.8 seconds. Sounds pretty agreeable, especially when it'll do 47mpg on the combined cycle.
So, has this article reduced your new hate for BMW a bit? Or do you still think this is the Satan of Bavarian Motor Works?
BMW 2-Series Active Tourer - Everyone quit moaning!
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Reviewed by Jack Cooper
on
February 15, 2014
Rating:
Reviewed by Jack Cooper
on
February 15, 2014
Rating:
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