When the F45 2-Series Active Tourer debuted earlier this year, it received a wave of attention for being the first BMW model to be front-wheel driven. Since then, the folks at Munich have decided to give the Mercedes B-Class rival their xDrive all-wheel drive system which is shared with many of their SUV models – X3, X4 and X5.
QUICK FACTS
Name | BMW 220d xDrive Active Tourer | BMW 225i xDrive Active Tourer |
Segment |
Compact SUV
|
Compact SUV
|
Engine | 1,995cc; inline-4, BMW TwinPower Turbo with Commonrail Direct Injection | 1,998cc; inline-4, BMW TwinPower Turbo |
Transmission | 8-speed automatic with Steptronic | 8-speed automatic with Steptronic |
Max Power | 190hp @ 4,000 rpm | 231 hp @ 5,000 rpm |
Max Torque | 400 Nm @ 1,750 – 2,500 rpm | 350 Nm @ 1,250 – 4,000 rpm |
0 – 100kmh; Top Speed | 7.3 seconds; 223kmh | 6.3 seconds; 237kmh |
The brand’s intelligent four-wheel drive system is now available on the 220d and 225i Active Tourers, but there’s a catch. Unlike the other permanent all-wheel drive xDrive systems, the 2-Series Active Tourer’s xDrive system can disengage the rear wheels in normal driving mode, improving overall fuel efficiency.
If the xDrive system detects reduced traction, it sends up to 100 percent of power to the wheels with the most grip. The distribution of torque is also continuously monitored when driving spiritedly, minimising slippages.
According to BMW, the whole xDrive system only adds 61kg to the overall weight of the car, achieving 4.6 litres per 100km with the 220d. The non-xDrive 220d Active Tourer managed 4.4 litres per 100km, so that’s not much of a compromise to be frank.
It’s unclear at present if BMW Group Malaysia will ever be bringing this in, but seeing how well their current line of SUVs are doing, we don’t think the 2-Series Active Tourer is worth the risk. If they do introduce this sometime later, it would be hard putting a right price on it.
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IMAGE GALLERY
BMW 220d xDrive Active Tourer
BMW 225i xDrive Active Tourer