More grip? Opt for 17-, 18- or 19-inch alloys, and don’t
forget to choose between adaptive dampers and M Sport suspension. Even sharper
steering? Select variable-assist Servotronic or, better still, variable-rate
Sport. Not yet on offer are stronger brakes, more powerful engines (228i/225d)
and any kind of alternative propulsion system. A plug-in hybrid is in the
making, but it is likely reserved for the stretched-wheelbase Grand Tourer, as
well as the new X1 and next Mini Countryman. Based on the 220i, the hybrid is
expected to feature a 102bhp e-motor driving the rear wheels.
The Active Tourer goes on sale late this year. We drove the
manual 148bhp 218d, the predicted best-selling version, and the 228bhp 225i
auto which should cost about as much as a comparably equipped 320i Touring or
X1 20i xDrive at around $46.403. Comparing the dimensions of these cars is
revealing. The X1 is 4477mm long, sits on a 2760mm wheelbase and can swallow
between 420 and 1350 litres of luggage.
The 3-series Touring measures 4624mm, sports a 2810mm
wheelbase and a 495-1500-litre cargo bay. The 2-series Active Tourer is notably
shorter overall (4342mm) and has the shortest wheelbase (2670mm), but its
carrying capacity is just as impressive (468-1510 litres), and rear legroom
actually exceeds the 5-series by a couple of millimetres. That’s the advantage
of front-wheel drive for you.
Interior
outpunches many larger BMWs in the quality stakes
Although chassis, suspension, steering and brakes do not
deviate significantly from the new Mini, BMW chose as different a set-up as
possible to position the Active Tourer away from the next Countryman. The BMW
is allowed to roll a little more, it’s more supple, and the responses to driver
inputs are not quite as sharp.
The cable-operated manual gearbox may be a smooth and
effortless two-finger job, but the throws are rather long, precision was not
the number one priority, and the top two ratios sacrifice pep on the CO2 altar.
The 218d accelerates from 0-62mph in 8.9sec, hits 127mph and
averages 68.9mpg when fitted with the slimmest tyres. The corresponding numbers
for the 225i automatic are 6.6sec, 150mph and 48.8mpg. How come a 208bhp
Mercedes B250 can match the 228bhp BMW on acceleration and v-max? Because the
225i is up to 105kg heavier...
BMW 218d Active
Tourer SE interior
We tried both versions on mountain roads between Innsbruck
and the Italian border. In this testing environment, the diesel has clear pros
and cons. One certainly appreciates the 243lb ft of maximum torque between 1750
and 2750rpm. Other power plants may muster broader torque peaks, but since
4000rpm is all it takes to unleash the maximum power output of 148bhp, it’s
easy to live with.
Performance does suffer when the road points skywards and
the long legged transmission makes a lower gear compulsory earlier than
expected. On the very brisk downhill sections, we missed the ventilated front
discs that are standard on the 225i. Perhaps one should wait for the 225d...
Alternatively, you could zoom in on the 225i which feels
much more like a proper BMW. It even looks like one in M Sport livery, which
seems to go down particularly well with the Great Outdoors crowd the
brand-shapers are courting with particular vigour.
BMW 218d Active
Tourer SE engine
Building up momentum and then coasting down rolling hills is
actually a lot of fun, as is making the best of the 258lb ft the 2.0-litre
turbo spreads from 1250 to 4500rpm. The four-cylinder may not sound quite as
racy as the petrol-fed three, but even without electronic and acoustic support
it is now more characterful than those voiceless early 328i models.
