BMW 2-series "Active Tourer"

[Mustangfan2003]

Because this has a blue and white roundel on it while the Focus has a blue oval.

Pretty much.  Atleast with the Focus the resale value won't drop as much and I find a lot more dealers for service. 

[MexicoCityM3]

I can't say I like it. The interior look okay, BMW-standard.

Reviews of the new MINI have been very positive and since this car shares the platform it probably will drive well too.
But yeah, tough to swallow a front-drive BMW after years of pushing RWD as their main brand differentiator.

[cawimmer430]

All over the Internet, self-proclaimed "auto experts" are predicting the downfall of BMW due to this car.

Didn't they also spew the same crap when the turbocharged 335i appeared? 

[MrH]

All over the Internet, self-proclaimed "auto experts" are predicting the downfall of BMW due to this car.

Didn't they also spew the same crap when the turbocharged 335i appeared? 

Same old, same old.  Just a bunch of chicken littles that don't put their money where their mouth is.

"BMW IS DOOMED BY TURBOCHARGING!"  *Gets in 15 year old Corolla and drives away*

[Rupert]

It will probably make them more money than ever, a la Porsche and their SUVs and sedans.

[Raza]

Awful. Looks like a damn van. About as good looking as a PT Cruiser.

[cawimmer430]

Same old, same old.  Just a bunch of chicken littles that don't put their money where their mouth is.

"BMW IS DOOMED BY TURBOCHARGING!"  *Gets in 15 year old Corolla and drives away*

Exactly! 

[MexicoCityM3]

What I think is somewhat unfortunate is that about 10 years ago you could *always* get the best-handling and most fun to drive car in most any segment by buying a BMW notwithstanding the specific options of the car. This was mostly true of the 3,5,7 and even the X5.

Today this best-driving-car in the segment is no longer the default in many BMW models and the competition is much closer or even better in some segments. Also, if you want a great-driving BMW you must be very careful with the optioning of the car or you'll end up in something not that fun and more like a luxo-barge. 10 years ago any BMW handled very well regardless of spec.

Still, as long as I can get the rather excellent combination of attributes that I used to get if I choose the right options, I´ll stay with BMW. I have high hopes for the next M3 and I also am very excited about the i brand. An i3 would make a great city car here and the i8 just looks like it came from the future. I like that.

[2o6]

I think I would like this car if it didn't look so damn bad.

[Madman]

What I think is somewhat unfortunate is that about 10 years ago you could *always* get the best-handling and most fun to drive car in most any segment by buying a BMW notwithstanding the specific options of the car. This was mostly true of the 3,5,7 and even the X5.

Today this best-driving-car in the segment is no longer the default in many BMW models and the competition is much closer or even better in some segments. Also, if you want a great-driving BMW you must be very careful with the optioning of the car or you'll end up in something not that fun and more like a luxo-barge. 10 years ago any BMW handled very well regardless of spec.

Still, as long as I can get the rather excellent combination of attributes that I used to get if I choose the right options, I´ll stay with BMW. I have high hopes for the next M3 and I also am very excited about the i brand. An i3 would make a great city car here and the i8 just looks like it came from the future. I like that.

Agreed.  The rest of the pack has caught up with (and, in some instances, surpassed) BMW.  There are now even cars from more plebeian brands which offer a similar driving experience and close to the same levels of luxury for thousands of dollars less.  BMW's USP is slowly slipping away from them.

Don't get me wrong, I have no issue with the "Active Tourer" as a concept.  In fact, I think it makes for a nice family car.  But is that all people want in a BMW?

Maybe if it were called something else?  BMW still holds the rights to the Triumph name (a leftover from their former ownership of the Rover Group).  Triumph used to make some nice family cars, in addition to their sports models.  Perhaps the Active Tourer should be sold as a Triumph?

[cawimmer430]

The thing is this: this small MPV will benefit more from FWD, not RWD. RWD will give this car no serious advantages in this segment that buyers actually care about. Nobody will buy an MPV for "purist driving", even if it has the BMW badge on it.

I don't have a problem with it. And according to Auto Motor und Sport, BMW conducted their own survey and found that 97% of potential BMW buyers don't care if the car is FWD or RWD.

Case closed.

Besides, the real bread and butter, the 3er, will always be RWD. 

[Mustangfan2003]

Yeah well 97% of BMW buyers only care about a badge. 

[cawimmer430]

Yeah well 97% of BMW buyers only care about a badge. 

Or - the majority of BMW buyers know when FWD makes more sense than RWD in certain models.

[Raza]

The thing is this: this small MPV will benefit more from FWD, not RWD. RWD will give this car no serious advantages in this segment that buyers actually care about. Nobody will buy an MPV for "purist driving", even if it has the BMW badge on it.

I don't have a problem with it. And according to Auto Motor und Sport, BMW conducted their own survey and found that 97% of potential BMW buyers don't care if the car is FWD or RWD.

Case closed.

Besides, the real bread and butter, the 3er, will always be RWD. 

I don't care that it's FWD.  I care that it's ugly as sin. 

[2o6]

I don't care that it's FWD.  I care that it's ugly as sin.

This.

[cawimmer430]

I don't care that it's FWD.  I care that it's ugly as sin. 

Yeah, the design doesn't speak to me either, but it does look more upscale and "sophisticated" than its mainstream rivals.

[Raza]

Yeah, the design doesn't speak to me either, but it does look more upscale and "sophisticated" than its mainstream rivals.

That's a badge illusion.  It doesn't look upscale.  It doesn't look sophisticated. 

[93JC]

That's a badge illusion.  It doesn't look upscale.  It doesn't look sophisticated. 

[Madman]

It's too bad we don't get the new Kia Carens/Rondo in the US.  (Canada does, however)  It looks to be a dramatic improvement over the old one.

[cawimmer430]

To me the 2-Series does look more "sophisticated". Just me. And I still can't stand the design.

[giant_mtb]

Looks like any other little car thing. Just happens to have that roundel on the front.   If it had a different grille and badge, I can't see anyone recognizing it as a BMW.

[MexicoCityM3]

Looks like any other little car thing. Just happens to have that roundel on the front.   If it had a different grille and badge, I can't see anyone recognizing it as a BMW.

To be fair the interior is pretty much up to BMW standards.

[giant_mtb]

To be fair the interior is pretty much up to BMW standards.

Mini-car bland-mobile on the outside, BMW on the inside. A true sleeper. 

[93JC]

To be fair the interior is pretty much up to BMW standards.

As if that's anything special...

[MX793]

Mini-car bland-mobile on the outside, BMW on the inside. A true sleeper. 

http://www.break.com/video/ugc/chamelion-xle-383947

[giant_mtb]

http://www.break.com/video/ugc/chamelion-xle-383947

[68_427]

Wanna try these seats

[AltinD]

As if that's anything special...

I got to agree. There is nothing special about the BMW interiors. They only became interesting in the highest trim available.

[cawimmer430]

I saw one of these today in traffic but couldn't get a shot of it. Strangely, it still had camo all over.

[2o6]

M version?