A Top of Mind Family Car: BMW 218i Active Sport Tourer

It was a splendid midsummer Saturday morning. The sun was out. And the cool breeze from Tagaytay welcomed us (group of motoring journalist) as soon as we arrived in Nuvali Leisure Park in Santa Rosa, Laguna.

It was a perfect getaway for family day. Thus, a perfect place, too, to get acquainted with BMW’s newest member of the family.

Asian Carmakers Corp. (ACC), the official importer and distributor of BMW vehicles in the Philippines, recently introduced the 2 Series Active Tourer, the brand’s first multipurpose vehicle.

Famous for its driver’s car layout, rear-wheel drive, this newcomer broke tradition by being the brand’s first front-wheel-drive vehicle. Likewise, it’s perfectly understood that it targets a new breed of BMW buyers. With its practical body, it’s clear that it’s aimed at young families who yearn for that unique spirited driving only the German automaker can offer.

“The BMW 2 Series Active Tourer represents a number of milestones for BMW in the country and across the globe. With the launch of this new vehicle, we are not only engaging an exciting new market, but also introducing several innovations that have never been seen in the BMW portfolio before,” ACC President Maricar Parco said.

Up-front, passersby would instantly recognize its Bavarian roots, as the 2 Series Active Tourer bears the trademark signature double-kidney grill along with twin LED headlights.

At the rear, the 2 Series Active Tourer sports L-shaped taillights, as well as a roof-mounted spoiler and twin exhaust pipes.

In terms of dimensions, the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer measures 4,342mm long, 1,800mm wide and 1,555mm tall. Once you step inside of the 2 Series Active Tourer, an ergonomic feel of the driver-centric cockpit, along with a three-spoke steering wheel and BMW’s iDrive system, instantly rouses your senses. The vehicle is said to accommodate up to five people and has a 40:20:40 split-folding rear compartment.

For the local market, ACC only offers the 218i, BMW’s first-ever three-cylinder gasoline engine. The 1.5-liter power plant, which features TwinPower Turbo technology, provides peak horsepower of 136 at 4,400 rpm, 220 N-m of torque from 1,250 rpm, and propels the car from zero to 100 kph in 9.2 seconds, while achieving a thrifty fuel consumption of 21.73 kilometers per liter.

The 218i also comes standard with EfficientDynamics that includes idle start/stop, brake energy regeneration and Driver Experience Control that alters drive settings between Eco Pro, Sport or Comfort.

The BMW 218i Active Sport Tourer retails at a price of P 2.95 million. For family-oriented individuals who lust for a racy drive, this car should be at the top of their minds.

Carmudi Guest Author: Ronald Delos Reyes

Ronald has been covering the motoring industry for a decade now. He co-manages/produces the family-owned motoring and travel TV show, Auto Review - which has been on-air for more than 20 years. He also writes for the motoring sections of Business Mirror and Interaksyon.com. From time to time, this avid sportsman also organizes sports events and other adventure activities.