This is BMW’s new plug-in hybrid version of the 2 Series Active Tourer. Although it is currently in final testing, this pre-production example is very close to showroom tune. BMW won’t say when the car will go on sale, but spring 2016 seems like the best bet. http://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/first-drives/2015-bmw-2-series-active-tourer-edrive-review For me this car could be a really challenger to buying a Gen 4 Prius in a year or so's time. If the final spec matches these figures, it'll be hard to beat; Location Germany; On sale Spring 2016 (est); Price £33,000 (est); Engine 3 cyls, 1496cc, petrol, plus electric motor; Power 221bhp (combined); Torque 284lb ft (combined); Gearbox 6-spd automatic; Kerb weight 1735kg (est); Top speed 127mph; Economy 112mpg (combined); 0-62mph 6.5sec; CO2/tax band "Less than 50g/km", 5%
2 Active Tourer is a compact MPV, bit smaller than 3gen Prius. Gen 4 will be, surely, larger and roomier than the present Prius.
BMW electrifies the 2 Series Active Tourer with a plug-in prototype Is the Prius' interior closer in size to the 2 Series Grand Tourer (minus the 3rd row of seats)? This looks smaller than the B-Class.
33,000 pounds? is that 50,000 dollars? am i missing something? for a car that makes the service manager your best friend?
The Active Tourer is 4342mm long compared to the Gen 3 Prius at 4480mm, but the wheelbase (and hence cabin space) is near identical; Active Tourer 2670mm, Gen 3 Prius 2700mm. It might also be added that the Active Tourer has a (slightly) bigger luggage space than the Gen 3 Prius (468 litres vs 445 Litres). The plug-in hybrid Active Tourer might have a slightly smaller luggage space than the conventional car, but still on a par with the Gen 3. The Gen 4 probably will be bigger than the Gen 3, but for me, on British roads, with the tight parking spaces in British car parks, that will be a negative feature.
In Britain the list price for a Plug-in Prius is £33,395. There is a £5000 government grant at present that takes the price down to £28,395. But I don't know how much long this will continue and if the price quoted in the report on the plug-in hybrid Active Tourer is before or after this grant is taken into consideration. As for the being the services manager's best friend, well I ran a couple of BMW's for a good number of years, and neither gave me any trouble.
By the sounds of it for comments from Americans and Europeans, it would seem that German brands send all their lemons to the US.
Looks are certainly deceiving! The photos make the Active Tourer look smaller than it is. I hope it doesn't increase in exterior dimensions. The Prius Liftback is in a pretty sweet spot - midsize interior with a compact exterior.
