Not long ago, Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) gave a surprise to the public when they present a front-wheel drive MPV, was the surprise...
Not long ago, Bayerische Motoren Werke (BMW) gave a surprise to the public when they present a front-wheel drive MPV, was the surprise did not stop there. BMW seems not satisfied if only to make MPV with a capacity of five passengers only, then the manufacturer from Munich, Germany it also presents the BMW 2-series Gran Tourer, the first 7-seater MPV them.
Here's a shock that I felt when he gets the chance to taste the BMW Series-2 Gran Tourer week before its official launch in the country. First let's talk about the design of the body. When viewing a series-2 Gran Tourer there was no significant difference from Active Tourer but trouble dimensions are growing longer and higher. Yes, with a length of 4,556 mm and height of 1,608 mm, Gran Tourer is 214 mm longer and 53 mm higher than the Active Tourer while its width remains the same. With increasing these dimensions, the available third row of roomy enough for two children.
This similarity continues up to the exterior. From the front view, certainly the most obvious is the hallmark 'Kidney Grille' BMW and BMW-style projector headlights are identical. Without this identity may be people think this is a family car of the Japanese or Korean manufacturers. This can be seen clearly when you look from the side, Gran Tourer feels a little boring with a design that tends to 'boxy' with chrome trim on the window. While at the rear, the taillights exactly like his twin brother, the difference is only in the Gran Tourer contained in the glass rear wiper and chrome accents on the bumper. Even velgnya design was identical to that wheel crossbar five two-tone 17-inch.
Entry into the cabin, are views that also synonymous with Active Tourer. Typical BMW dashboard panel comes with a high gloss black and high quality leather are also black. In it embedded 6.5-inch screen capable of displaying multimedia content, system Connected Drive, Bluetooth, Audio CD, there is even a special docking your iPhone in the center console. Unfortunately, this multimedia feature does not include a navigation system and reverse camera. That is quite unfortunate also is the absence of a panoramic roof because many Japanese manufacturers to apply this panoramic roof on the family car products.
For the front seats, both driver and passengers have full electrically. As a family car, BMW is certainly focus on the second and third row up to the capacity of the trunk. In the second line of BMW provides a folding table behind the first row seats. You can put the food or even put a laptop when it has to work in mobile. Gran Tourer the second row shows the capacity of leg room is also as good as the Active Tourer. Unfortunately it is inversely proportional to the time peering into the third row. New look, I already imagine if the third row is more intended for small children.
While luggage capacity is not as good as the Active Tourer if the second row and third in a standing position. But BMW gives a special button in the boot to fold the second row if you need a larger trunk space, while the third row with just one touch of it to be folded perfectly. If you do this then the Gran Tourer's luggage capacity can hold up to 1,905 liters.
For variants into Indonesia, because there is no any emblem on the back I guess it looks like the same as the Active Tourer but with the type 218i Luxury trim, while Active Tourer that I tried yesterday is the Sport trim. What is hidden behind the bonnet is the same engine with Active Tourer is 1500 cc 3-cylinder engine with Double VANOS, Valvetronic and TwinPower Turbo. This machine can produce power 136 hp and 220 Nm of torque. This car is also equipped with the Sport driving modes, Comfort and Eco Pro to choose according to your needs. Everything is the same as the specifications of the Active Tourer, to the character of the three-cylinder engine that gives vibrations quite annoying especially if you listen to the sound of the engine from outside.
I really only got a short time in testing this time, but with the power and torque are exactly the same as his brother, Gran Tourer is quite agile and can deliver a powerful boost of energy for driving in the city. With its identity as a seven-seater family car seems to support 3-cylinder engine has been considered, control offered was not much different from any other characteristic BMW rear-wheel drive.
Acceleration is not special, but enough to prove if BMW serious hook new customers. Only if the consumer the family car in Indonesia is more concerned with comfort, the BMW should slightly improve by revising the suspension character that I think too hard, especially when dealing with broken or bumpy roads.
Machine
Installation Engineering 1.5 liter 3-cylinder, Valvetronic, Double VANOS, gasoline
Power 136 hp @ 4,400 rpm
Torque 220 Nm @ 1250-4300 rpm
Transmission
Type 6-speed Steptronic
Performance (kph)
0-100 9.5 sec
