The (not so) all-new design of BMW’s 2 Series Active Tourer
The new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer looks very familiar on the outside, but there are a few surprises inside
BMW says that its new 2 Series Active Tourer has been completely re-engineered, based on a new architecture that has been designed to adapt to both electrified powertrains and conventional combustion engines. But on the outside, it’s hard to see what has changed when comparing this second-generation model to the first.
The exterior sketches are lovely and colourful, though they seem to be of a vehicle infinitely more exciting than the new 2 Series. Aside from the inclusion of the giant kidney grille, which unusually pushes up above the nose and continues up on the bonnet, the model looks pretty much identical to the old one.
The lines are all pretty familiar, as is the general shape. Even the lights are the same as those on the previous model. Apparently, the doors have been redesigned, which has seemingly resulted in a single change – the fact that the door handles are now flush in the body work. And that’s about it. There’s not a lot to get excited about.
However, step inside and it is a different story. BMW’s ‘Operating System 8’ debuts in the new 2 Series with the curved display that was first featured in the iX. It includes both the central touchscreen and the digital driver cluster, and although it spans across the back of the steering wheel and over to the centre of the car, it doesn’t appear to be too large and dominating.
There is space left for the slim IP, which includes some nice materials, depending on the trim level. An open-pore eucalyptus wood is available, which cuts through the centre of the IP and sits below the screen, and something that BMW calls ’the new aluminium hexacube’, which we think simply replaces the wood finish.
The seats have been redesigned too, with improved lateral support to make longer journeys more comfortable. Anthracite cloth upholstery is standard on ‘Sport’ models with optional perforated Sensatec (BMW’s synthetic seat material), while the ‘Luxury’ and ‘M Sport’ trims get Vernasca leather and Alcantara or Sensatec with blue stitching.
Despite the fact that the interior is fresh, it seems like a long-shot calling this 2 Series “all-new”, at least in terms of design. There are clearly many carry overs from the previous generation, particularly on the outside of the car. And while the inclusion of the larger kidney grille is giving BMW’s portfolio something a little different, it seems like the exterior designers are extremely restricted and are continuously pushing out models that look nearly identical to those that have come before.