Compact Yet Spacious: 2016 BMW 2-Series Gran Tourer
In between auto shows, BMW is releasing a brand new model to appeal to young families.
BMW claims its new 2-Series Gran Tourer is the “world’s first premium compact model to offer up to seven seats.” With a focus on space and versatility, this MPV is intended for suburban moms and dads looking for a smaller people-mover.
You can see the model in person at next month’s 2015 Geneva Motor Show before it goes on sale this summer.
Related: The redesigned BMW 6-Series
The Gran Tourer is a brand new vehicle based off the UKL platform which was used on the 2-Series Active Tourer released last year. Essentially, it’s just a seven-seat version of the Active Tourer. There’s little difference in size, except some added length to the wheelbase to fit the optional third row of seats. The overall design of the two models are quite similar, too.
The dimensions for the Gran Tourer are 179.3″ long, 70.9″ wide, and 63.3″ tall, classifying the model as a “compact” multi-purpose vehicle. It contains all the generic visual touches, including the kidney-shaped grilles, double-round headlamps, L-form taillights, and two LED-fed light banks. Vertical air deflectors have also been added for aerodynamics.
The Gran Tourer is a front-wheel-drive platform which comes with five engine options, in either six-speed manual or an eight-speed automatic:
218i: three-cylinder, 1.5-liter gasoline engine with 134 hp, 162 lb-ft torque, and acceleration of 62 mph in 9.5 seconds
220i: four-cylinder, 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 189 hp, 280Nm of torque, and acceleration of 62 mph in 7.7 seconds
216d: three-cylinder, 1.5-liter diesel engine with 114 hp, 199 lb-ft of torque, and acceleration of 62 mph in 11.1 seconds
218d: four-cylinder, 2.0-liter diesel engine with 148 hp, 243 lb-ft of torque, and acceleration of 62 mph in 9.3 seconds
220d XDrive: four-cylinder, 2.0-liter diesel engine with 187 hp, 295 lb-ft of torque, and acceleration of 62 mph in 7.6 seconds
Following are the fuel economy estimates for each of the engine options offered:
218i: 51.4–55.4 mpg (the lightest engine of the group, using TwinPower Turbo technology)
220i: 44.1– 45.6 mpg
216d: 67.3–72.4 mpg
218d: 62.8–65.7 mpg
220d XDrive: 55.4–57.6 mpg
The inside of the Gran Tourer is what sets it apart from its sister model. With a 40:20:40 configuration, the vehicle’s optional third row can fold down into the loading floor with the press of a button. The luggage compartment can be extended from 645 to 805 liters, and folded rear seats increase that to 1,905 liters.
Four additional trim versions of the Gran Tourer are available over the base model:
Advantage: two-zone automatic air conditioning, Park Distance Control, Cruise Control with Braking function and a multifunctional steering wheel
Sport Line: alloy wheels, sport seats, exterior tweaks like alternative bumpers
Luxury Line: exterior chrome trim, light-alloy wheels, leather upholstery
M Sport: M Aerodynamics package, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line, M leather steering wheel and M Sport seats, among many M-performance upgrades
Other features (some are standard, while others are optional) include driver’s armrest, electric parking brake, automatic headlight activation, head-up display, panoramic roof, dynamic damper control, hands-free tailgate operation, 5-inch multimedia display, and radar cruise control and Driving Assistant Plus.
The Gran Tourer’s greatest tech feature (which will only be available in Germany for the time being) is the “myKIDIO” app. It provides films, TV shows, audio books, and music for children on tablets and can be operated by parents via the iDrive Controller.
Related: BMW’s illuminating headlight technology
News Source: BMW Blog
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