BMW has decided that the new 2 Series Active Tourer is doing well enough that it wants to give it a new model. An eDrive plug-in hybrid model. The BMW 225xe Active Tourer will come to market in 2016 and it will likely be followed by Gran Tourer and X1 hybrids.
Our sources say that after lots of deliberation, the badge on the car will say 225xe.
The 2 Series Active Tourer eDrive will feature BMW’s 1.5 liter three-cylinder TwinPower engine, transversely mounted powering the front wheels through a six-speed automatic, and an 88hp / 136 Nm/100 lb-ft of torque electric motor, powering the rear wheels through a two-speed transmission.
This essentially makes the 2 Series Active Tourer eDrive a backwards i8, as the i8 uses a similar setup, but with the engine at the rear and motor at the front. Compared to a 225i xDrive model, this adds some 150 kg or 330 pounds. The gasoline engine produces 100 kW/136 hp and 220 Nm/162 pound-feet of torque/electric.
Related: BMW 225e Active Tourer Plug-In Hybrid – First Drive
The 2 Series AT eDrive will deliver its power instantaneously, thanks to the torque fill effect of the electric motors adding power while the turbocharger gathers boost. This will shuttle the 2 Series AT eDrive from 0-62 mph in 6.5 seconds. Not bad for a front-wheel drive hybrid.
BMW’s 225xe Active Tourer will utilize both powertrains to give it an intelligent all-wheel drive system. It can send power to the front wheels, rear wheels or four wheels, depending as required. The system can also work with the Dynamic Stability Control to manage power for optimized traction, acceleration and efficiency. The EU cycle testing is likely to show an average of 2 liters per 100km (117 mpg US).
BMW’s eDrive will be appearing in many other cars in the coming months, but this is one of the more intriguing. The 2 Series Active Tourer eDrive will arrive in Europe in 2016.
