At the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer media launch in Innsbruck, Austria, BMWBLOG interviewed BMW Product Manager Jochen Schmalholz in charge of the first front-wheel drive BMW.
Schmalholz spent some time with us explaining the idea behind the 2 Active Tourer, as well as the market and customer demographic. He also explains why the 2 Series Active Tourer is “still a BMW” despite the power sent to the front wheels. At the end, he also confirms that a 7-seater Active Tourer will follow, along with a hybrid variant.
The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer follows in the tire tracks of the Coupe as the second member of the new BMW 2 Series line-up and impresses from every angle with its sporty presence and harmonious proportions.
Measuring just 4,342 millimeters long (170.9 inches), 1,800 millimeters (70.8 inches) wide and 1,555 millimeters (61.2 inches) in height, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer offers similar inside space as larger X vehicles.
The versatile luggage compartment, whose capacity can be enlarged from 468 to 1,510 liters.
READ ALSO: BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Test Drive
By expanding its product range, BMW is looking to attract new customer groups to the virtues of the BMW brand, just as it has already done with its successful BMW 1 Series. Around 70 per cent of the first-generation BMW 1 Series cars sold went to customers new to the brand. Seventy five percent of first time BMW buyers are expected for the new minivan.
The Active Tourer is the first ever BMW with front-wheel drive and the first core-brand BMW to become available with a three-cylinder engine. The new front-wheel drive architecture – with a transversely installed engine – allows maximum usage of the interior volume in a relatively small vehicle.
BMW 2 Series Active Tourer is the first BMW to benefit from the modular engine concept.
The main markets for the 2 Series Active Tourer will be Europe and China. Europe is likely to account for some 40 per cent of sales and China around 15 per cent.
