BMW has made its 2 Series Active Tourer — its first MPV and front-wheel drive model — longer and taller to create the new 2 Series Gran Tourer. The brand鈥檚 distributor in the Philippines, Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), on Oct. 30 unveiled this latest BMW multipurpose vehicle during the first staging of its series of shopping mall exhibitions.
ACC said the Gran Tourer is the 鈥渨orld鈥檚 first premium compact model to offer up to seven seats, and which fully meets the mobility requirements of young families.鈥
鈥淲e are extending our market presence by offering an automobile fit for the lifestyle of growing families,鈥 said Maricar C. Parco, president of ACC, during the BMW Road show 2017 event.
BMW said the Grand Tourer is only 214 millimeters longer and 53 millimeters higher than the Active Tourer on which it is based. But the latter is able to offer 鈥渕ore generous鈥 cabin space because of a wheelbase that has been stretched by 110 millimeters. This makes the Grand Tourer 鈥渃ompact yet capacious,鈥 its higher roofline allowing occupants to 鈥渟it upright鈥 while affording 鈥渆xcellent all-round visibility.鈥 The added space also means improved access to the interior, as well as legroom, 鈥減articularly in the rear,鈥 that鈥檚 comparable to luxury cars, BMW said.
In 218i spec the Gran Tourer is powered by a 1.5-liter, three-cylinder gasoline engine that, through BMW鈥檚 TwinPower Turbo feature (essentially a twin-scroll turbocharger), develops 136 hp and 220 Nm. The engine bolts to a six-speed automatic gearbox. BMW said the vehicle can reach 100 kph from a standstill in 9.8 seconds.
It added the Gran Tourer can be fitted with a driving mode selector — Eco, Pro, Sport and Comfort — that alters the performance of the vehicle according to the driver鈥檚 preference.
ACC sells the 218i Gran Tourer for P2.790 million.
The next BMW Road show 2017 events are scheduled on Nov. 10-12 at Lucky Chinatown mall; Nov. 16-19 at SM Mall of Asia; and Nov. 24-26 at the Alabang Town Center.
