When the BMW 2 Series first came out we were actually happy to see that the 1 Series Coupe had a successor. The problems started showing up when the Germans decided to fit their first ever front-wheel drive models within the same model range, bringing out the 2 Series Active Tourer and 2 Series Gran Tourer later on. These two have been pariahs from the get go and rightfully so.
It’s hard to love the Gran Tourer or its smaller brother, the Active Tourer if you’re a die-hard fan of the brand. The reasons are so many that it would be futile to list them all here but we will mention the two most important ones: design and powertrain layout. While BMW got us used to seeing elegant yet sporty cars come out of their designers’ capable hands, the MPVs of the range are just boring to look at.
They are also built on BMW Group’s UKL platform, therefore becoming the first ever BMW models with front-wheel drive on board, yet another reason to hate them. Sure, you can get xDrive but even then you won’t be treated with the good old-fashioned rear-wheel drive biased system but with a new one that sends power to the rear wheels only when needed. One such situation can be observed in the video below.
As a matter of fact, this clip could be used as a promo ad for the BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer, as the driver puts it in some very good light. As you can observe, he perfectly showed us how a Scandinavian Flick should be done, drifting this 7-seat MPV on the Green Hell like it was nothing. Furthermore, you need to notice the fact that this appears to be a regular taxi that just happened to stroll onto the Nurburgring during one of the famous Touristenfahren days when nearly anyone is allowed to drive on the famous track.
Now, regulations claim that you’re not allowed to drift on the German track so this should fall into the ‘awesome recovery’ category, the driver probably claiming upon further investigations from track officials that he just lost control of the car for a brief moment and had to do what he did to gain back its composure. That being said, well done for both the driver and the 2 Series Gran Tourer that showed us what can be done with so very little at hand.
Damn I’m surprised it didn’t flip!
Actually indeed, because it has a very high center of gravity! Really putting the 2 Gran Tourer in a good light.
What I don’t understand is why they don’t make the xDrive system as in any other BMW: RWD, and power sent to the the front wheels only when needed. Could they not do this, because the car is FWD if it hasn’t got xDrive? Because otherwise it’s really weird…
The reason why they’re using a different layout for UKL models is that the engines are mounted transversely. That means the traditional xDrive system can’t be used and they had to improvise.
Thanks for the reply! Glad I know that now. I still find it pitty; FWD BMW’s and the Gran Tourer the most. It’s simply horrible! I kinda like the 2 AT, though. I think that looks fine, for a MPV… but still it’s just so wrong. And it should have been called 1 Series because “2 Series” really makes no sense at all!! These are not drivers cars. They’re just moneymakers.
I’m generally a fan of BMW design, even designs that other BMW fans often ridicule; however, this 2series Tourer is just awful. It reeks of something Peugeot, Fiat or Chrysler would produce. Yes, I know it’s pointless to complain now.
Some BMW designs grow on you — I wasn’t initially a fan of the X6, but now I appreciate much of the design. The 2 Tourer is just awful and that ain’t changing.
Don’t forget to Overlook that ActiveTourer is the best selling 2er model globally.
That’s true and it’s mostly due to the unprecedented popularity it has in Germany.
It is for sure a French taxi. This is for sure because there is the taxi licence plate (in blue) at the bottom of the passenger door.
I love the 2er Active Tourer. Yes it’s front wheel drive, but it looks gorgeous.
Lift-off Oversteer for the win!