SECTOR: Compact MPV   PRICE: £24,710–£32,540   FUEL: 44.8mpg–68.9mpg   CO2: 108–145g/km

Up until now, if you were after a mid-sized seven-seat MPV, the last place you’d think to look was in a BMW showroom. However, according to BMW, with the introduction of the new 2 Series Gran Tourer, not only will it now be able to fulfil that particular demand when it arrives in the Autumn, it also wants it known that premium practical family motoring doesn’t have to be an oxymoron any longer.

Essentially then, the 2 GT is an elongated version of the 2 Series Active Tourer (which, when launched last year, became BMW’s first foray into the MPV market). By extending the wheelbase by 11cm, then adding a further 10cm to the rear overhangs, plus raising the roofline by 5cm, it has allowed BMW to completely reconfigure the seating arrangement. And whilst a 2+3+2 layout is not exactly radical, it’s the most flexible and versatile car BMW has ever offered, and all for just under £25,000 (£2,560 more expensive than the 2 Active Tourer).  

The extra length has also had an obvious effect on boot space, too. Load area is now expandable from 560 litres to 1,820 litres, and carries objects up to 2.4 metres long. Granted, this doesn’t quite make it a market leader, but it is equal to the cargo area of the BMW X5.

The cabin, on the other hand, is pure BMW knowhow through and through. As soon as you step inside there’s an overwhelming sense of quality, substance and luxury.

While the third row of seats is optional in Europe, they are standard equipment in the UK and offer enough space for two adults, as long as they’re fairly short.

When not in use, however, both chairs fold flat into the floor, to give a level and unimpeded luggage area. And while on the subject of luggage, the under floor stowage compartment for the retractable, and detachable, luggage cover is a thoughtful addition. This can also be said for the way BMW has utilised redundant space under the seats and around the cabin. By sealing off these nooks and crevasses with elasticised webbing its has created useful and fully functional stowage compartments.

Although there will be a choice of five turbocharged engines – two petrol and three diesel – exactly the same as its shorter brother, we only had the chance to drive just two; the six-speed manual 220i and the flagship model; the £32,540, all-wheel drive, eight-speed auto, 187bhp 220d xDrive.

While both proved themselves to be more than capable, as you would expect of any engine powering a BMW, the most efficient in the range promises to be the 216d at £25,645. This is the same 1.5-litre, 114bhp, three-cylinder diesel found in the Mini Cooper D, so it’s not exactly an unknown entity. It will be asked to power a car some 110kgs heavier than the Mini though, but it should still return performance figures of 68.9mpg, 119mph top speed, 0-62mph in 11.4 seconds and 108g/km of CO2. But we’ll have to wait until nearer the summer, when it goes on sale, to be certain.

Verdict:

BMW is chasing those drivers who want MPV versatility and a premium badge. If such a market exists, the 2 GT scores…