Geneva Show 2014: BMW goes front-wheel-drive with 2 Series

HISTORY has been made on the BMW stand at the Geneva Motor Show as it has revealed the production version of its first front-wheel-drive car.

The 2 Series Active Tourer is a compact MPV, also a new segment for the firm, and under the distinctive exterior it uses the same chassis and clever three-cylinder engine as seen in the new Mini. In doing so it becomes the first production BMW to send drive to the front wheels alone.

With the engine mounted sideways rather than lengthways within the car it frees up space in cabin, crucial for a car designed for the MPV segment. It also has a generous 480 litres of boot space with all the seats in place despite being only fractionally longer than the conventional BMW 1 Series hatchback.

A four-cylinder diesel as well as petrol engine options will be offered, and the range will expand to offer more performance and also four-wheel-drive.

Scheduled to reach the UK later this year, the 2 Series Active Tourer is expected to cost less than £24,000 for the entry-level petrol model.

By Press Association reporters