New BMW 2 Series Active Tourer revealed with plug-in hybrid tech

BMW has unveiled its new 2 Series Active Tourer, built on an all-new architecture that enables two plug-in hybrid models to join the range.

The plug-in hybrid models arrive next summer

On sale now, the line-up will initially include two petrol engines and one diesel, all featuring mild hybrid tech and priced from £30,265. These will start deliveries in March 2022 and the range will expand from summer 2022 with the addition of two plug-in hybrid models equipped with fifth-generation BMW eDrive technology.

In both models, the electric motor drives the rear wheels while a three-cylinder petrol engine drives the front, giving all-wheel drive with an intelligent powertrain management system.

The 230e xDrive Active Tourer will deliver maximum power of 326hp while the 225e xDrive has 245hp. Both will provide an electric-only range of 49 miles, potentially putting them in the 8% Benefit-in-Kind bracket for 2022/23. Maximum charging capacity is 7.4kW and a full charge can be delivered in around 2.5 hours, or just under 8 hours via a conventional household socket.

These will join the 220i Active Tourer, available from launch and featuring a new 1.5-litre three-cylinder petrol. It delivers 170hp with the mild hybrid tech along with 133-148g/km and 43.5-47.9mpg. Sitting above it, and priced from £32,715, the 223i develops 218hp and with 137-149g/km and 42.8-47.1mpg.

The sole diesel model is the 218d, priced from £31,820 and with a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit, delivering 150hp, while returning 53.3-58.9mpg with emissions of 125-138g/km.

All engines are married up with a new version of the seven-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission.

Alongside new powertrains, the new 2 Series Active Tourer will also debut latest tech, including the debut of the brand’s Operating System 8 in a compact-class BMW.

It also features the new generation of the BMW iDrive control system with the brand’s Curved Display – previously reserved for the fully electric iX and i4 and featuring a 10.25-inch information display and a control display of 10.7 inches.

Latest driver assistance systems also debut and mark the largest selection of automated assistance functions ever offered in a compact BMW. These functions can be improved or expanded by means of remote software upgrades and functions on demand.

The new 2 Series Active Tourer will be offered in Sport, Luxury and M Sport specification.  Entry-level equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, Sport seats with anthracite cloth upholstery, LED headlights, high-gloss Shadowline exterior trim, and Parking Assistance with reversing camera and Park Distance Control as standard.

First deliveries of the new 2 Series Active Tourer start in March 2022.

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Natalie Middleton

Natalie has worked as a fleet journalist for over 20 years, previously as assistant editor on the former Company Car magazine before joining Fleet World in 2006. Prior to this, she worked on a range of B2B titles, including Insurance Age and Insurance Day.