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BMW 2 Series Active Tourer 2018 revealed


BMW has announced a mild update for its Mercedes B-Class-rivalling 2 Series Active Tourer hatchback, with the refreshed model line-up set to hit Australian showrooms in the middle of the year.

The Active Tourer, which has remained virtually unchanged since it was launched Down Under in late 2014, gets a new front apron with a single piece air intake, larger kidney grille, fresh rear apron and larger exhaust tips for the variants sporting a four-cylinder engine.

M Sport variants get their own front and rear apron style.

The optional adaptive LED headlights have been given a new hexagonal look, as is the trend for updated BMW models, while restyled LED foglights are offered on some variants.

Six new alloy wheel designs are available ranging from 17 to 19 inches, while two new colours – Sunset Orange and Jucaro Beige – will be offered on European versions, at least.

On the inside, changes include the latest iDrive6 multimedia interface mated to either a 6.5- or 8.8-inch touchscreen with voice control, more BMW ConnectedDrive features, new automatic gear shifter, longer seat cushions and three new seat trims.

On the inside, there is the latest iDrive6 multimedia interface mated to either a 6.5- or 8.8-inch touchscreen. On the inside, there is the latest iDrive6 multimedia interface mated to either a 6.5- or 8.8-inch touchscreen.

According to BMW, the refreshed engine line-up in the Active Tourer belongs to the second-gen BMW EfficientDynamics family that is currently being proliferated across other model lines such as the Mini Hatch, 5-door and Convertible.

Improvements have been made to the turbocharger, heat management, crankshaft and valve train, which has aided in reducing fuel use and CO2 emissions by as much as five per cent, and a power increase on international powerplants of 5kW/10Nm, depending on the variant.

While the European Active Tourer line-up consists of four petrol, three diesel and one plug-in hybrid powertrain, the Australian range totals three variants, which is set to continue.

Australian will still get three engine options. Australian will still get three engine options.

Currently, the range opens with the three-pot 218i from $44,400 plus on-roads, followed by the diesel 218d at $47,800, and tops out with the 220i from $51,600.

The 218i’s 1.5-litre three-cylinder engine has seen a 3kW rise in power to 103kW, while torque is steady at 220Nm.

It gains a new seven-speed dual-clutch auto, while combined fuel consumption falls by 0.1L to 5.8 litres per 100km.

The 2.0-litre turbo-diesel four-cylinder engine under the bonnet of the 218d has seen a 20Nm bump in torque and an identical power figure, totalling 110kW/350Nm.

Mated to an eight-speed Steptronic automatic, fuel use has actually increased from 4.2 to 4.5L/100km.

The 220i’s power output remains unchanged, with the 2.0-litre turbo-petrol four-pot still producing 141kW/280Nm, teamed to an eight-speed auto with a fuel economy figure of 5.6-5.9L/100km.

In 2017, BMW sold 639 examples of the Active Tourer, down 28.7 per cent on its 2016 figure of 896, which itself was down on the 1765 its managed in 2015, its first full year on sale.

The 639 sales were not enough to outpace its main rival, the B-Class, which managed 1330 registrations over the same period.

Exact pricing and specification for the Active Tourer will be revealed closer to the model’s local launch.

Will BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer be able to outsell the Mercedes-Benz B-Class in 2018? Tell us what you think in the comments below.

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