BMW Active Tourer to debut at Geneva 2014 as BMW 2 Series GT

The BMW Concept Active Tourer will arrive as the BMW 2 Series GT

BMW’s new platform for the new MINI isn’t just about providing a front wheel drive platform for MINI, but it will also be put to use in a new range of BMW FWD vehicles. That was previewed by the BMW Active Tourer Concept at the Paris Motor Show in 2012 (and again with the Active Tourer Outdoor Concept in the summer) and now the Active Tourer is heading in to production as the BMW 2 Series GT.

The new 2 Series GT is the BMW answer to the Mercedes B Class, a compact MPV designed for moving people and their stuff around town, and Auto Express have learnt it will arrive at a Motor Show ‘Early in 2014′ (which we assume will be Geneva in March) as a production model ahead of a launch later in 2014.

Expected to stay close to the looks of the Active Tourer Concept, the new BMW 2 Series GT will not only be BMW’s first FWD car but will also come with a 1.5 litre 3-cylinder engine and, it’s expected, be offered in both 5 and 7 seat configurations.

Also in the mix is a hybrid, 4WD version, of the 2 Series GT using the 1.5 litre 3-pot to power the front wheels and an electric motor the rear wheels, potentially offering up to 190bhp, the ability to run in electric mode for up to 20 miles with official economy of over 100mpg.

The new BMW 2 Series GT is just one of as many as 20 FWD models on the way from BMW (including MINI) based on the UKL 1 platform, including a new compact SUV.

By Cars UK