7-seats BMW 2 Series Gran Tourer unveiled

BMW has unveiled its first seven-seater MPV, the 2 Series Gran Tourer.

Claimed to be the world’s first premium compact model to offer up to seven seats, the Gran Tourer is essentially the big brother to the 2 Series Active Tourer and is based on the same platform. It gets longer rear doors, a revised design for the rear and higher roof.

Measuring just 4,556mm in length, 1,800mm in width and 1,608mm in height, the Gran Tourer offers a luggage compartment that can be extended in capacity from 645 to 805 litres. This swells to 1,905 litres with the rear-seat backrests folded.

Its cabin is also largely similar to the Active Tourer but features an optional third row seat that folds flat into the floor.

Five different engines are available under the 2 Series Gran Tourer’s bonnet:

• 218i: 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder petrol that produces 100kW (136PS) and 220Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in 9.5 seconds, while top speed is rated at 205km/h. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 5.1 – 5.5L/100km.
• 220i: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder petrol that produces 141kW (192PS) and 280Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in 7.6 seconds before topping out at 223km/h. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 6.2 – 6.4L/100km.
• 216d: 1.5-litre turbocharged three-cylinder diesel that produces 85kW (116PS) and 270Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in 11.1 seconds before hitting a top speed of 192km/h. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 3.9 – 4.2L/100km.
• 218d: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel that produces 110kW (150PS) and 330Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in 9.3 seconds, while top speed is 205km/h. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 4.3 – 4.5L/100km.
• 220d: 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder diesel that produces 140kW (190PS) and 400Nm of torque. 0-100km/h is achieved in 7.6 seconds before hitting a top speed of 218km/h. Average fuel consumption is a claimed 4.9 – 5.1L/100km. The 220d is mated with an all-wheel drive system and 8-speed automatic transmission.