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We’ve seen the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer testing its new powertrain for quite some time now, and we’ve even noticed it on the Green Hell a couple of times so we knew it was coming. What we didn’t know was the year it would reach showrooms. The latest developments seem to point to a 2015 debut.
According to Car Magazine, quoting an insider over at BMW’s Research and Development department, the new 2 Series Active Tourer with a plug-in hybrid powertrain will be unveiled next year. Not only that but the guys seem pretty certain about a couple more things as well.
Rated at 102 BHP and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque, the new electric unit could power the rear axle, removing the need for a driveshaft that would take the power from the engine to the rear wheels, therefore saving some weight.
Furthermore, the dynamics of the car would be improved, when running only on electric mode or with both of the sources at the same time. The only question that remains to be answered is what kind of engine will be used under the bonnet.
Therefore, expect the 136 HP B38 plant to be used in conjunction with the electric motor, raising the total output to around 240 HP and 470 Nm (346 lb-ft) of torque, plenty to go around at any time. With xDrive included, the 2 Series Active Tourer could very well become an even more interesting proposition.
102 BHP electric motor to feed the rear axle exclusively
Initially, we thought that the 2 Series Active Tourer will have the same specs as the BMW X5 eDrive concept but it would appear that there’s an important difference. According to the aforementioned source, the electric motor in this model will have more power and will feed the rear axle exclusively.Rated at 102 BHP and 184 lb-ft (250 Nm) of torque, the new electric unit could power the rear axle, removing the need for a driveshaft that would take the power from the engine to the rear wheels, therefore saving some weight.
Furthermore, the dynamics of the car would be improved, when running only on electric mode or with both of the sources at the same time. The only question that remains to be answered is what kind of engine will be used under the bonnet.
1.5-liter 3-cylinder could be the answer
Since the X5 eDrive plans seem to have been dropped, the 2-liter 4-cylinder mill also wouldn’t make sense. On the full-size SUV, it would be justified as such a big car would need more power, but on the MPV a 1.5-liter 3-cylinder should provide enough grunt as it is.Therefore, expect the 136 HP B38 plant to be used in conjunction with the electric motor, raising the total output to around 240 HP and 470 Nm (346 lb-ft) of torque, plenty to go around at any time. With xDrive included, the 2 Series Active Tourer could very well become an even more interesting proposition.
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