Facelifted BMW 2-Series Active And Gran Tourer Unveiled, Can You Tell What's Different?

BMW has given its two compact MPVs, the 2-Series Active Tourer and 2-Series Gran Tourer, a lot of updates for the new MY.

The facelifted models feature a few modest styling tweaks compared to the current ones, which include a larger kidney grille, more generous air intakes at the front, new LED fog lamps, and tweaked lighting units on both ends.

Customers can choose from one of the 13 exterior colors available, including the new Jucaro Beige and Sunset Orange, in addition to a wider selection of light alloy wheels, with six new designs, ranging between 16 and 19 inches in size.

Longer seat cushions make the front seats more comfortable, and there are plenty of new materials to select, alongside different combinations in cloth, cloth/Sensatec, Alcantara and Dakota leather.

BMW ConnectedDrive Services and the latest-gen iDrive infotainment system, with navigation, voice control, and iDrive operation with touch-sensitive interface, can be found inside as well.

BMW has also made the cockpit of the two minivans more driver-oriented, by tilting the center console towards them. Users will also notice that there's a new electronic selector lever in variants fitted with the 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox or 8-speed auto.

The former is available for the first time in the 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer, and gets a longer ratio 7th speed for improved economy on long journeys. This transmission joins the already available 8-speed automatic, and 6-speed manual.

Petrol and diesel engines feature various modifications, producing between 109PS (107hp) and 231PS (228hp), boasting improved fuel-efficient. The units also emit less CO2 than before, from 112 to 147 g/km, depending on the model. Moreover, all diesels now feature a particulate filter, and four-cylinder oil burners get two turbochargers.

The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer 225XE iPerformance PHEV remains part of the offering, and it still churns out 224PS (221hp) and 385Nm (284lb-ft) of torque. It needs 6.7sec to accelerate from 0 to 100km/h (62mph), and adds a few kilometers to its zero-emission range, from 41km (25 miles) to 45km (28 miles).

Driver assistance systems include the Traffic Jam Assistant, which keeps the vehicle in its lane at speeds of up to 60km/h (37mph), and Active Cruise Control, both part of the optional Driving Assistant Plus package.

BMW is asking at least £25,840 ($34,992) for the entry-level 2-Series Active Tourer 216d, while the 225xe model can be had from £34,485 ($46,699) in the United Kingdom. The 2-Series Gran Tourer, on the other hand, stretches between £27,705 ($37,518) for the 216d, and £31,435 ($42,569) for the 220i.

PHOTO GALLERY