2 Series [Official] BMW 2 Series Active Tourer

[thorsen82]

Thank you very much Enl for posting the press kit.. The xdrive for fwd seems to be an haldex extremely fwd biased.
If the future 2er coupe will be based on ukl how they manage rwd biased on m models?

 

[EnI]

Martin, Giannis et al.

Would you be so kind & comment the AWD system BMW have introduced in Active Tourer

(#309 or Link: Drive technology featured in the new BMW 2 Series Active Tourer. ),

and will be featured in other UKL-based AWD cars too.

The most interesting POW will be how it does technically (mechanically & electronically) compare to

a) the current MINI All4 AWD system (Link 1: https://www.press.bmwgroup.com/global/download.html?textId=97704&textAttachmentId=121042 - page 15; Link 2: MINI's All4 System Clarified - MotoringFile )

b) to the Haldex gen V AWD system VAG MQB-based models feature (Link 1: http://www.borgwarner.com/en/Haldex-AWD/products/Pages/Haldex-Gen5.aspx ; Link 2: Volkswagen introduces new 4WD Golf 4MOTION with 5th generation Haldex coupling; 15% reduction in fuel consumption over current model )

c) to the 4matic system in MB MFA-based models (Link: http://media.daimler.com/dcmedia/0-921-681308-1-1653057-1-0-0-0-0-1-0-1549054-0-1-0-0-0-0-0.html ).

 

[thorsen82]

in sportier cars like next m performance 1er or 2er i think that bmw could tune up the xdrive system in different ways. for example keeping the clucth closed to make the car rwd biased

 

[klier]

You're a strange boy Klier, you have no consistancy at all.

Hahaha, why don't you go hug some crappy family car with 3 seats in the back?

You remind me of Footie.

 

[martinbo]

Martin, Giannis et al.

Would you be so kind & comment the AWD system BMW have introduced in Active Tourer

Phew, EnI, this was a tough one to unpack with absolute clarity and factual accuracy - and I still don't have all the facts. Sorry but time doesn't permit much these days. I spent a little time over the weekend and can offer the following:

In brief summary:

The AWD mechanics / supplier info of transverse xDrive in the 2 Series Active Tourer is not readily available on the web, so I cannot comment with any certainty on this product as yet.
In answer to a) MINI ALL4 AWD engineered and supplied by GKN - a Japanese firm who acquired Getrag's Driveline business - this electro-mechanical system features a rear-mounted center coupling; defaults in 50:50 torque split mode from start up but then bleeds torque away from the rear axle at higher speeds to facilitate fuel economy.
Maybe Active Tourer makes use of this new AWD system?
http://www.gkn.com/driveline/technologyandinnovation/Pages/disconnecting-for-fuel-efficiency.aspx

http://media-centre.gkndriveline.com/drivelinecms/opencms/en/media-centre/news/gkn-news/article_0041.html

For b) Haldex Gen V - Haldex is now a wholly owned subsidiary of Borg-Warner and this electro-hydraulic-mechanical coupling, located at the rear axle, is an on-demand AWD system - much as before with previous generations - in which the system defaults to FWD with a small amount of "pre-charge" torque residing at the rear axle. The unit is more compact and quicker reacting than before. When slippage at the front-axle is detected, or a demand for torque is required, then the coupling sends drive to the rear wheels. This Haldex V coupling can apparently be adjusted now to default a greater apportionment of torque to the rear axle via a driver selectable option as evidenced by the new TT Mk3 generation.
For c) The ProActive coupling in the MFA-based AMG models is engineered by Magna on behalf of Mercedes Benz. It is very similar in its operation to Haldex V in that it too is an on-demand AWD system. See:

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http://www.magna.com/investors/press-releases-news/news-page/2014/06/04/news-release---magna-supplies-awd-system-on-mercedes-benz-gla

So, what does this mean from an overall technology perspective? Well, at a detail level - quite a lot; and from a high level - not so much.

Sadly, the days where the mechanical attributes of an AWD system had a distinct and tangible outcome on the driving experience are all but gone. It's all down to software programming and calibration now - especially for the systems listed above.

 

[Giannis]

May I also add that a hybrid coupling clutch system like all the above mentioned ones, is highly dependent on the electronics and sensors, as to how it performs. If you have sluggish electronics and a 100-0 front to rear default torque distribution, this is possible:

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MINI's 50:50 default distribution seems to be immune to such situations.

 

[thorsen82]

Phew, EnI, this was a tough one to unpack with absolute clarity and factual accuracy - and I still don't have all the facts. Sorry but time doesn't permit much these days. I spent a little time over the weekend and can offer the following:

i think that active tourer's system it's very similar to Mercedes one . maybe if you Select sport mode in the cockpit a bunch of torque is sent to Rear axle

 

[thorsen82]

here: BMW 2er Active Tourer: xDrive-Technik für UKL-BMW im Detail we have a more specific explanation of new xdrive system. Mr Huber says that the system can be used with more rear bias torque

 

[Wolfgang]

BMW says 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer are too small for US market
Both have standard FWD
A BMW spokesman has announced the 2-Series Active Tourer and 2-Series Gran Tourer are simply too small for the United States market.

Speaking at the Geneva Motor Show, a spokesman at BMW said the two MPVs are not large enough for the US market which means neither of them will be sold there. We remind you the 2-Series Active Toureris 4342mm long, 1800mm wide and 1555mm tall, with a wheelbase measuring 2670mm whereas the seven-seat 2-Series Gran Tourer is slightly larger at 4556mm length, 1800mm width and 1608mm height while the wheelbase stands at 2780mm.

Americans will get towards the end of this year the new X1 which just like the two MPVs will use a front-wheel drive UKL platform while an xDrive all-wheel drive system will be optionally available. It's bound to receive a larger seven-seat version which will likely be commercialized in United States as well.

The second generation BMW X1 is expected to receive its world premiere at the Frankfurt Motor Show scheduled for September.

BMW says 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer are too small for US market

 

[Monster]

Wolfgang posting BMW news !!!! The world has gone mad.

 

[Rolf]

Wolfgang is a spy for BMW! LoL

 

[Giannis]

Wolfgang posting BMW news !!!! The world has gone mad.

I'm sure it was an accident!

 

[KiwiRob]

BMW says 2-Series Active Tourer and Gran Tourer are too small for US market

I call bullshit on this statement, there are plenty of MPV's in the US market of similar size, Mazda5, Prius V, Ford C Max, I think the real reason is they don't want to alienate a cash cow market with substandard vehicles which do not reflect the brands heritage and market positioning.

Since we already get vehicles like the 116d this isn't a problem in Europe, we have different expectations from BMW.

 

[Giannis]

I saw my first Active Tourer in real life today and it was horrible. Seriously, I noticed it with the first glance (from the rear), not because I identified it as a BMW, but something that looked awfully wrong and didn't know what brand it was. It turned out it was a 218d AT.

It looks seriously bad. Shame.

 

[Beemer B773ER]

Here you go @Giannis.

 

[Rainer271]

2016 BMW 225xe plug-in hybrid unveiled

2016 BMW 225xe

BMW has introduced the 2016 225xe ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show.

Essentially a plug-in hybrid version of the 2-Series Active Tourer, the 225xe features a high-tech powertrain that consists of a 1.5-liter TwinPower Turbo three-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a 7.7 kWh lithium-ion battery. The engine produces 136 PS (100 kW) and 220 Nm (162 lb-ft) of torque, while the electric motor churns out 88 PS (65 kW) and 165 Nm (122 lb-ft) of torque.

Since the engine drives the front wheels and the electric motor drives the rear wheels, the 225xe can be front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive when the two powertrains work together. In the latter state, the model produces a combined maximum output of 224 PS (165 kW) and 385 Nm (284 lb-ft) of torque.

In terms of performance, the car can accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 6.7 seconds before hitting a top speed of 202 km/h (126 mph). That's not too shabby when you consider the 225xe has a combined fuel consumption of 2.0 – 2.1 L/100 km (134.5–141.2 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 46-49 g/km. More importantly, the model can travel up to 41 km (25 miles) on electricity alone at speeds up to 125 km/h (78 mph).

When the battery is depleted, it can be fully recharged in approximately three hours and fifteen minutes using a conventional household outlet. Customers can also order the BMW 360° ELECTRIC package which includes a BMW i Wallbox which reduces the recharging time to two hours and fifteen minutes.

The BMW 225xe will go into production later this year and German pricing starts at €37,800.

Source: BMW

 

[EnI]

2er AT & GT are sales hits ...

157,144 2 Series vehicles were sold in 2015; more than 107,000 of those sales were either Active Tourers or Gran Tourers.

 

[Monster]

2er AT & GT are sales hits ...

157,144 2 Series vehicles were sold in 2015; more than 107,000 of those sales were either Active Tourers or Gran Tourers.

What was BMW's initial sales projection?

 

[SCOTT27]

It took the Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse two years to reach 100,000 units.
Active Tourer went on sale in June 2014 and gran tourer on June 2015.

 

[Monster]

It took the Mercedes-Benz B-Klasse two years to reach 100,000 units.
Active Tourer went on sale in June 2014 and gran tourer on June 2015.

I wouldn't say this is some kind of achievement that is worth celebrating.