Unfortunately, for old-school BMW aficionados, the front-wheel-drive offensive will continue in the next few years, with a couple of new models already on the pipe. One of them is a 7-seat variation of the 2 Series Active Tourer.
The first ever front-wheel-drive car from Munich will reach dealerships towards the end of the year and we’ve already learned quite a lot about it. Built on the UKL1 platform, it’s basically using a plethora of parts in common with the new MINI models, including the B-family modular engines.
However, it won’t be fitting more than 5 people inside, in the current configuration. Seeing as MPVs are extremely popular in the States, their second biggest market in the world, the Germans decided to build a version that can seat seven people.
That’s what we’re seeing at work here. As you can notice, the front seems identical, even though the prototype seen testing on the Nurburgring in the video below appears to be quite an early version (judging by the headlights). The biggest differences are at the back, where the greenhouse looks a bit taller and wider, probably to make room for 2 extra people.
The front-wheel-drive configuration will, of course, be kept intact and most of the components will be shared with all other UKL1 models. Therefore we’ll be seeing 1.5- and 2-liter engines being used, running on both petrol and diesel.
The transmission will, most likely, be done by either 6-speed manual gearboxes or 6-speed manuals, with the 8-speed being reserved for the most powerful models like the 225i.
Like its brother before it, the 7-seater will have an interior design focused on practicality, decked with all kinds of storage spaces and clever tricks to make your life and daily chores easier to do.
According to our source inside BMW, the F46 will not be sold in the US, being kept for other markets, the European one being expected to be the most popular, which would be an interesting move.
Its rivals, like the Honda Odyssey and Chrysler Town & Country Minivans are quite popular, especially in suburban areas of great cities. A move into this market would be a good move, at least from the sales perspective. On the other hand, the pedigree and DNA of BMW would be affected by such a move in the US.
xDrive models will also be built, just like for the 5-seat 2 Series Active Tourer. These will be fitted with the 2-liter B48 engines alone and the 8-speed ZF gearbox, unlike all other models that will be using either a manual 6-speed box or an automatic one with the same number of ratios.
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