Review: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer (2014-on)

Review: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer (2014-18)

Overview

Released in Australia in November 2014, the BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer was a compact people mover. Manufactured in Leipzig, Germany, the front-wheel drive 2-Series Active Tourer range initially consisted of 218i, 225i and 218d models, with the 220i following in 2015 (see table below). Furthermore, all engines had an Auto Start Stop function which enabled the engine to shut down when the vehicle was stationary in traffic.

Body and dimensions

Sharing its UKL platform with the Mini F56 Cooper , the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer was 4342 mm long, 1800 mm wide, 1555 mm tall and had a 2670 mm long wheelbase. Inside, the rear seats could slide to vary cargo capacity and rear seat legroom. With the rear seat backrest in its normal position, cargo capacity was 468 litres, though this could be increased to 1510 litres when the 40:20:40 backrest was split and folded.

Suspension and steering

The BMW 2-Series Active Tourer had a single-joint spring strut front axle and multi-link rear suspension which included BMW’s ‘dynamic damper control’ (for variable suspension damping).

The 2-Series Active Tourer had rack-and-pinion steering with electric power assistance and a variable ratio.

Safety equipment

Standard safety equipment for the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer included dual front airbags, front side airbags, full length curtain airbags (i.e. for front and rear occupants), ABS, electronic brake force distribution, brake assist, electronic stability control, traction control, corner braking control and front seatbelts with pretensioners and load limiters.

As standard, the 2-Series Active Tourer was also fitted with a ‘Driving Assistant’ package which consisted of:

• Collision Warning and Pedestrian Warning with City Braking: operating at speeds between 10 and 60 km/h, the system would warn the driver if a pedestrian or stationary vehicle was detected in the vehicle’s path. If the driver failed to react, the system would automatically apply the brakes to prevent or minimise the severity of a collision; and,
• Lane Departure Warning: could identify lane markings and warn the driver via steering wheel vibrations if the vehicle was drifting out of its lane.

Euro NCAP testing

In Euro NCAP testing , the BMW 2-Series Active Tourer received a five star safety rating which included an 84 per cent adult occupant protection rating and an 85 per cent child occupant protection rating. In the offset crash test, protection of the driver was generally rated as good, though chest protection and lower right leg protection were rated as adequate and weak, respectively; front passenger protection, however, was rated as good for all areas. In the side impact and pole tests, maximum points were awarded.

Features: 218d and 218i Active Tourer

Standard features for the BMW F45 218d and 218i Active Tourer models included 17-inch alloy wheels, a six speaker sound system with a CD player, MP3-compatibility and auxiliary inputs (3.5mm/USB/iPod), Bluetooth connectivity, a navigation system with a 6.5-inch LCD multi-function display, ‘Sensatec’ upholstery, climate control air conditioning, cruise control, front fog lights, front and rear parking sensors, a rear view camera, 40:20:40 split and flat folding rear seats, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, remote central locking, power mirrors and windows, a tilt and reach adjustable steering wheel, height adjustable front seats, power-operated tailgate, 12 volt power outlets, anti-dazzle rear view mirror, a trip computer, tyre pressure sensors and an immobiliser.

As standard, the 2-Series Active Tourer was also fitted with BMW’s ‘Parking Assistant’ which, at speeds below 35 km/h, could identify parallel parking spaces using ultrasound sensors. When the driver pressed a button to begin parking, the Parking Assistant would automatically steer the vehicle into the park such that the driver only needed to control the speed of the vehicle.

Features: Features: 220i and 225i Active Tourer

The BMW 220i and 225i Active Tourer were further equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, and a ‘Visibility Package’ which consisted of LED headlights, anti-dazzle door mirrors, power folding door mirrors and interior lights.

The 225i Active Tourer was distinguished by its perforated Dakota leather upholstery and front sports seats.

Sport Line, Luxury Line and M Sport package

The 2-Series Active Tourer was offered in Sport and Luxury Lines, or with an optional M Sport package that provided distinct exterior and interior details:

• Sport Line (standard for the 218i and 218d) –
  • Exterior: high-gloss black body styling for the kidney grille, special air intakes and accent strip on the rear apron, and an electroplated black chrome-trimmed tailpipe; and,
  • Interior: high-gloss black trim strips for the instrument panel and doors, contrasting red stitching on the instrument panel and leather steering wheel, and a chrome-trimmed glove compartment.
• Luxury Line (standard for the 225i) –
  • Exterior: chrome exterior trim for the kidney grille, special front air intakes, tailpipe and rear apron; and,
  • Interior: special Luxury Line seat upholstery, chrome interior accents, contrasting highlights in the instrument panel and a black sports leather steering wheel.
• M Sport package:
  • Exterior: 17- or 18-inch M light-alloy wheels, M Sport suspension (with a 10 mm lower ride height), M aerodynamics package, distinctive high-gloss black double kidney grille, BMW Individual high-gloss Shadow Line window trim, specially styled brakes and chrome-trimmed tailpipes; and,
  • Interior: specially upholstered sports seats, M leather steering wheel, M door sill finishers, M footrest, M shift lever, BMW Individual anthracite roof liner, blue contrast stitching in the instrument panel.

Specifications

• Specifications: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer (November 2014)
• Specifications: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer (February 2016)
• Specifications: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer (November 2017)

Related links

• Press Kit: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer (February 2014)
• BMW Australia: BMW 2-Series Active Tourer

Review: BMW F45 LCI 2-Series Active Tourer (2018-on)

Overview

Commencing production in March 2018 and available in Australia from May 2018, the BMW F45 LCI 2-Series Active Tourer range for Australia consisted solely of the 220i Luxury Line which had a seven-speed double clutch transmission (DCT).

Visually, the BMW F45 LCI 2-Series Active Tourer could be identified by its taller and wider kidney grille and front air intake which was split into three sections and bordered by C-shaped surrounds that had a high-gloss black finish. At the rear, the larger exhaust tailpipes (a 90 mm cross-section) had thicker walls, while models with four-cylinder engines could be identified by their twin tailpipes.

Inside, the BMW F45 LCI 2-Series Active Tourer had a new electronic selector lever for models with dual clutch and eight-speed automatic transmissions, longer seat cushions and new upholstery materials for the front seats.

B48 modular engine

For the B48 modular engines, changes included:

• The use of ‘form honing’ to coat the cylinder bores and thereby reduce friction. According to BMW, this was a first in the manufacture of ‘series-produced’ engines;
• The introduction of a switchable oil circuit for on-demand piston cooling;
• A single-piece chain for valve train control;
• A new L-shaped belt drive for the alternator, water pump, torsional vibration damper and air conditioning compressor;
• Integrating the turbocharger into the exhaust manifold;
• ‘Optimised’ petrol pump and lines to increase fuel injection pressure; and,
• A new coolant pump which had separate outlets for the flow of coolant to the cylinder head and engine block. This ‘split cooling’ used a switchable valve so that only the cylinder head was supplied with coolant in the cold running phase or under partial loads for faster warm-up.

Features

Compared to the F45 220i, standard features for the F45 LCI 220i Luxury Line were extended to include Dakota leather trim.

Related links

• BMW Australia: BMW 2-Series Active Tourer
• BMW Press: the new 2-Series Active Tourer (January 2018)
• Wikipedia.org: BMW F45 2-Series Active Tourer