BMW 220d 2014 News

BMW is no stranger to front-wheel drive platforms for its Mini brand, but has always promoted the driving dynamics of rear-wheel drive for its own badge. However the times have changed, and the German prestige carmaker has just revealed its first front-wheeler, the  2 Series Active Tourer.The new multi-purpose vehicle will get a global debut at Geneva motor show next month, before rolling out into showrooms to face off against the Mercedes B-Class later this year. But BMW is already releasing official images and details of the vehicle -- and promising that its front-wheel driving experience still retains the dynamic quality the brand has made its byword, and "oozes sportiness from every angle".This is BMW's first foray into the MPV segment, and the brand is pointing to the functionality made possible by the front-wheel drive platform, which -- coupled with versatile seat configuration -- is claimed to make the most of the interior spaceThe rear seat slides and the backrest split-folds 40:20:40 to optimise the layout for either passengers or luggage, with the latter's 468-litre capacity able to rise to 1510L. A large rear tailgate -- with optional push-button or electronic foot-operation -- gives access to the boot, with a foldable  floor covering an additional hidden storage compartment with a divided tray. Under the bonnets are choices of compact turbo engines, with the range kicking off with the 218i Active Tourer's economical new 1.5-litre three-cylinder developing 100kW of power and claiming a fuel figure of 4.9L/100km mated to a six-speed manual transmission.The fuel hero 218d Active Tourer is powered by a 110kW/330Nm four-cylinder turbodiesel claiming combined fuel economy of 4.1L/100km, 0-100km/h time of 8.9 seconds and top speed of 205km/h. The range-topper for the launch is the 225i Active Tourer with a four-cylinder petrol engine developing 170kW and claiming combined fuel economy of 6.0L/100km, a 0-100km/h time of 6.8 seconds and a top speed of 235km/h.Fuel-saving features include engine stop-start, brake energy recuperation and optimum gearchange indicator, while dynamic ability is improved by the channelling of air from front bumper inlets along the front wheels. The interior gets the expected premium treatment, with a notable inclusion of the full-colour heads-up display system featured on the latest Mini, projecting information onto a screen behind the steering wheel rather than onto the windscreen like the rest of the BMW range.BMW Australia is keen to get the 2 Series Active Tourer here and into our market, spokesperson Lenore Fletcher says, although adding it is too early to get an indication of loal pricing and specification."Obviously we are very interested -- it's an new kind of vehicle for BMW -- and it's on our schedule for Australia. Timing would be around late this year, or possibly early 2015."This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

As part of BMW's realignment -- and renumbering -- of its range, the new BMW 2 Series is hitting the sales floors in March priced from $50,500, a rise of $2500 over the 1 Series Coupe it is essentially replacing as a companion to the 1 Series Hatch range.The entry price gets you into a 220i Coupe, with the mid-range 220d diesel Coupe sitting at $52,500 and the range-topping, performance focused M235i Coupe at $79,900. The 1 Series currently offers 'M' spec only in a hatch version for $64,900, meaning you pay $15,000 extra for the coupe -- but also meaning it's still competitive against the $74,990 Mercedes-Benz A45 AMG hatch and might also be against the Audi RS3 currently in testing and tipped to be launched this year.The 220i carries turbocharged 2.0-litre petrol engine delivering 135kW of power and 270Nm of torque that peaks at a low 1250rpm. BMW is promising a 0-100km/h time of 7.0 seconds fuel economy of 6.0l100km.The efficiency leader is the 220d's four-cylinder TwinPower turbodiesel at 4.4L/100km, also with 135kW but a hefty 380Nm of torque, and official 0-100km/h time of 7.1 seconds.The M235i's turbocharged 3.0-litre six-cylinder delivers 240kW of power -- 5kW more than that M135i hatch -- and 450Nm of torque, getting to 100km/h in just 4.8 seconds, shaving 0.1 off the M1351 with the same eight-speed sports auto gearbox -- but coming in 0.2 behind the A45 AMG.The transmission -- mated to all three engines -- features a launch control mode and F1-style steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. BMW is also expected to continue to offer the M135i's six-speed manual, however full specification details will not be available until closer to the launch date.BMW 2 Series pricesBMW 220i Coupé $50,500BMW 220d Coupé $52,500BMW M235i Coupé $79,900This reporter is on Twitter: @KarlaPincott

This is the 2 Series Cabrio and BMW promises more style and sports feel despite the open-air cabin.